V. Ophelia Rigault was inspired to create the SHINE Club program after a racial incident involving her niece in 2022, which brought back memories of her own childhood experiences. Recognizing the need to empower racialized BIPOC children facing similar challenges, she decided to start the program to provide support and foster conversations that could make a positive impact.

She approached and partnered with the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board to bring the SHINE Club to their Schools. At the moment the SHINE Club is the process of bringing it’s program in other school boards and community groups.