From Flying Dust to communities across Canada: Christopher Merasty builds support through New Direction Consulting

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For Merasty, starting the business was about filling gaps he encountered while working with communities. 

“I see the gap, especially going into institutions such as the federal penitentiary system and providing more programs and services to help with that reintegration piece,” he said. 

After working within established organizations, he wanted the flexibility to expand programs more quickly and respond as community needs changed. 

“So that way I could expand, I can help out more and more communities, get more staff hired on, more programs, more supports, more services,” he said. 

Part of that vision includes creating opportunities within the communities New Direction Consulting serves. Merasty hopes to hire local people to help deliver programming in their own communities, allowing knowledge and supports to remain in place after projects are complete. 

(Image Credit: Photo submitted)

While the organization’s work is open to everyone, many of its programs focus on supporting men and young men. 

“There isn’t a lot of supports out there for men and young men,” Merasty said. “If we can provide or build a bridge over those gaps to allow these individuals to know that there is help, there is support, there are resources, there is a voice for you, then I think that it’s a win-win situation for everybody involved.” 

Much of the organization’s work centres on prevention, wellness and helping people navigate difficult circumstances. Merasty said some of the most meaningful feedback has come from people who reconnect months or even years after participating in programming. 

One former correctional centre participant later contacted Merasty and shared the impact the programming had on his life. According to Merasty, the man found full-time employment, repaired family relationships and now shares custody of his children. 

Stories like that continue to motivate the work. 

“This is exactly why I do this work,” Merasty said. “A lot of these individuals who lost hope through some of the programs or some of the services out there in our society, they haven’t been finding it, but then they come and stumble upon our work. We provide that hope and allow these individuals to know that, yeah, things in this world are bad, but you’re stronger than that.” 

Along with working directly with individuals, New Direction Consulting partners with organizations, communities and workplaces. The company has delivered training on topics including burnout and lateral violence while also supporting organizations through leadership development, workplace wellness and strategic planning. 

Among those partnerships is work with the Prince Albert Multicultural Council’s Youth Employment Skills and Service Program. Merasty said the company is also preparing to volunteer services at Saskatchewan Penitentiary while exploring additional partnerships across Canada. 

Merasty believes the organization’s approach is different because of its focus on building long-term relationships with communities. 

“When communities establish partnerships with us, we come to the community and stay until everything is up and running successfully before we leave,” he said. 

“Our goal isn’t simply to deliver a workshop. Our goal is to leave behind stronger leaders, stronger local capacity and practical tools that communities can continue building on long after we leave.” 

As New Direction Consulting continues to grow, Merasty said its focus remains on prevention, leadership development and helping communities build lasting capacity. 

“Our direction is more geared towards prevention,” he said. “Allowing individuals to connect more, not only on the surface level, but more on a deeper internal level.” 

Organizations interested in leadership development, men’s wellness, youth leadership, workplace training, strategic planning or community capacity building can contact New Direction Consulting to learn more about its services.