Cameron Bennett, a 20-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, started Forging Ahead Inc. to help veterans and first responders heal and rebuild their lives through the use of artistic blacksmithing and metalworking.

After leaving the military, Bennett struggled to adjust to civilian life and discovered that blacksmithing gave him a sense of purpose, focus, and strength. Now, his program helps others use the art of forging metal as a way to rebuild confidence, manage stress, and create something meaningful with their own hands.

Statistics Canada’s 2022 Canadian Veteran Health Survey shows that anxiety and mood disorders are much more common among veterans than in the general population, and one in five veterans has thought about suicide at some point.

Bennett joined the Canadian Armed Forces at 18, inspired by his grandfather, who fought in World War II. After serving tours in Afghanistan and Bosnia, then later joining the Royal Canadian Air Force to fix planes, he had to leave the military in 2018 due to a medical release.

Bennett’s Forging Ahead is Canada’s first veteran-founded, veteran-run charity helping veterans and first responders reconnect with purpose and wellness through artistic blacksmithing. You can learn more about the program on the Forging Ahead website.

Source: Danton Unger, CTV News