Forging Ahead Inc.

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St. Adolphe, MB
Forging Ahead Inc.

Founder Cameron Bennett Founder Cameron Bennett is a 20 year service veteran with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Forging Ahead is dedicated to helping veterans and first responders with operational stress injuries manage and cope with their emotions through the use of artistic blacksmithing and metalworking. Forging Ahead is a small, single person lead, aspiring grass roots not for profit business. It started it's creation in December of 2018 as an idea to help veterans, and first responders with mental heal

th issues. It will be designed to allow veterans to work out their emotions in a safe, secure environment channeled through the art of blacksmithing and metalworking. Forging Ahead is currently in the start-up phase of operation, and working hard to complete the build of the shop, secure financial partners, and launch a full service website. To contribute to the growth of this organization, please click the link in the bio to make a donation.

04/03/2026

Big things are happening behind the scenes at Forging Ahead Inc.! 🔥🔨

The Board of Forging Ahead Inc. would like to give a huge thank you to the Manitoba Government — especially MLA Loiselle, MLA Corbett, and MLA Pankratz — for taking the time to meet with us and hear our 12-month briefing. 🤝🇨🇦

We’re proud to say… we met every goal we set this year. ✅
And this is just the beginning.

There are some truly exciting things coming down the line for veterans, first responders, and mental health support here in Manitoba — and we can’t wait to share more as things develop. 🚀

It means a lot to see elected officials taking the time to listen to advocates and support initiatives that are making a real difference on the ground. Conversations like these are how change starts. 👥

Even if you don’t always see us posting, just know — we are always working. Building partnerships, growing support, and laying the foundation for something big right here in Manitoba. 🛠️

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us on this journey — it truly means everything.

Every like, share, and follow helps us move this mission forward. 🙏

02/19/2026

🔥 HUGE THANK YOU TO VETERANS ALLIANCE! 🔥

We would like to give a massive shoutout to Veterans Alliance for their incredibly generous $5,000 donation.

Because of their support, we’ve been able to:

✅ Attend the CIMVHR 2025 Forum
✅ Host multiple blacksmithing classes for veterans
✅ Keep the lights on and the forge burning in the shop

Their contribution directly impacts the veterans we serve and strengthens our mission every single day.

As we move forward with big plans — including our proposal to the Manitoba government in March 2026 — we never lose sight of the organizations that stand beside us and make this work possible.

To Veterans Alliance: thank you for believing in our mission. We look forward to many years of working together to support those who have served.

01/30/2026

CALL FOR SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITY 🇨🇦⚒️

Over the years, Forging Ahead Inc. has hosted many workshops, classes, and private sessions for veterans and first responders. We truly hope your time with us brought connection, purpose, and a sense of peace.

We are now at an important moment.

Forging Ahead Inc. is preparing a major funding proposal to the Government of Manitoba, scheduled to be presented in March. As part of this process, we are strengthening our proposal by securing partner support, private-sector interest, and letters of support that show real impact.

We are respectfully reaching out to our community for help.

👉 If you are a veteran or first responder who has attended any Forging Ahead event, class, or private session, and you had a positive experience, we would be grateful if you would consider providing:

A short impact statement, or

A letter of support describing your experience

These statements help show decision-makers that these programs are used, valued, and making a difference, alongside the organizational and private-sector support we are building.

Support can be brief and informal, and shared only with your permission. Every message helps.

📧 If you’re willing to contribute, please email:
[email protected]

Thank you to everyone who has supported, attended, and believed in Forging Ahead over the years. We are working hard to build something sustainable, veteran-driven, and rooted right here in Manitoba.
l Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Blue Bombers The Veteran Farmer Alberta

01/22/2026

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!

Greetings to all veterans, first responders, blacksmiths, supporters, and everyone who follows our journey or is simply curious about what we do.

As we step into a new year, Forging Ahead Inc. is proud to reflect on a strong and meaningful 2025 — and we’re just getting started.

A few highlights from 2025:

We proudly awarded our first grant directly to a veteran, supporting healing and purpose through artistic blacksmithing

Hosted impactful forums and conversations focused on preventative mental health and community

Continued building strong connections across Canada, including collaboration with veteran-serving organizations

Deepened engagement and working relationships with members of the Manitoba Government, helping lay the groundwork for long-term growth and sustainability

While our philosophy has always been to move slow and steady with strong foundations, much of our work happens quietly behind the scenes — strengthening relationships, refining plans, and ensuring we’re building something that lasts.

As our first post of 2026, we’re excited to share that we recently met with MLA David Pankratz, MLA Shannon Corbett, and MLA Robert Loiselle, where we had the opportunity to provide an update on our 12-month path projection and discuss our bold vision for the future.
We are grateful for the warm welcome, open dialogue, and genuine interest in the work we are doing to support veterans and first responders living with PTSD and OSI.

This meeting is an important step in our 2026 and beyond strategy.

You may notice fewer public posts since our successful forum in Ottawa — rest assured, that’s because we are focused on developing a comprehensive information package for 2026, which we expect to complete and release in the first quarter of this year.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support, believe in, and stand beside Forging Ahead Inc.
We’re moving forward — together.

10/25/2025

✨ CIMVHR 2025 — What an Experience! ✨

We would first like to thank our sponsors for helping us with this trip. Veteran Farm and Veterans Alliance, this trip would not have happened without you.

CIMVHR 2025 in Ottawa has officially wrapped up, and what an incredible four days it’s been. From presentations and networking to heartfelt conversations and shared stories — it was an experience that left us inspired, humbled, and deeply grateful.

Forging Ahead Inc. was proud to share our mission and connect with so many amazing people who are helping shape the future of veteran and first responder health. 💪

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Linna Tam-Seto, Dr. Stefan Schilling, and Dr. Henry Bowen for the incredible conversations and shared vision of connecting veterans and blacksmithing initiatives across the Commonwealth. Your passion for research and understanding the power of creation, community, and purpose is truly inspiring. 🔨🌍

We also want to thank the representatives from Edgewood Health Network, Homewood Health, True Patriot Love Foundation, Wounded Warriors Canada, and so many others who took the time to listen, share ideas, and show genuine interest in what we’re building here in Manitoba. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us. ❤️

As one researcher perfectly put it:

“We get into our heads and books too much — sometimes it’s needed for us to hear what’s happening at ground level to open our eyes.”

That’s exactly what Forging Ahead is about — real experiences, real people, real growth.
We’re beyond thankful to have been part of such an important gathering and can’t wait to see how these new partnerships and research collaborations evolve.

🔥 Big things are coming — and this is only the beginning.

Together, we’re forging something truly powerful. ⚒️

09/09/2025

🚨 Big News from Forging Ahead Inc.! 🚨

We’re beyond grateful to announce that The Veteran Farmer is officially sponsoring our lodging for the 2025 CIMVHR Forum in Ottawa! 🙌🇨🇦

This incredible support means our founder can proudly represent Forging Ahead Inc. at CIMVHR, where groundbreaking mental health research for veterans & first responders will be shared. 💡🪖🚒

The Veteran Farmer is an amazing organization dedicated to supporting veterans & military personnel with wellness services, mental health resources, and community care—all at no cost. 🌱💚

This partnership helps us move one step closer to pioneering new treatments and healing opportunities through artistic blacksmithing and craftwork. 🔨🔥

A massive THANK YOU to The Veteran Farmer team for believing in our mission and investing in the future of veteran & first responder wellness. 🙏✨

True Patriot Love Foundation Wounded Warriors Canada Manitoba Government Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of TorontoSoldier On / Sans Limitescanada Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba The Winnipeg Foundation Winnipeg Police Service Winnipeg Military Family Resource Centre Veterans Affairs Canada Maritime Knife Supply Les Forges de Montreal Ryan Reynolds Terry Crews

09/09/2025

🔥 What an incredible summer! 🔥

Forging Ahead Inc. was proud to partner with Soldier On to host four unforgettable Intro to Blacksmithing workshops right here in St. Adolphe, MB.

Over four 2-day sessions, veterans and CAF members stepped up to the forge, learned the fundamentals of blacksmithing, and transformed raw steel into meaningful works of art. 🔨⚒️

The energy, determination, and creativity in the shop was inspiring—and the feedback we received was outstanding. 💪

This was the first-ever Prairie Region Soldier On blacksmithing event, and we couldn’t be happier with its success. We look forward to bringing more opportunities like this to veterans and first responders in the future. 🙏

09/04/2025

🌟 Exciting New Collaboration! 🌟

Forging Ahead Inc. is proud to announce an emerging partnership with Julijette Inc. / Jette Studios, a celebrated Manitoba-based film production company with over 20 years of award-winning experience. Their soon-to-be-completed studio in Niverville will be a hub for creativity, collaboration, and storytelling.

Together, we are working on a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) that will guide how we collaborate to:

🔨 Bring the arts to life in Niverville through public sculptures, community projects, and the creation of the Trail of Heroes trail and park, designed with veterans, first responders, and artists.

🎥 Establish a production and training hub at Jette Studios where veterans and first responders can learn set design and film production, opening new doors for employment and creative growth.

📽️ Film a feature documentary that will capture the journey of Forging Ahead Inc. and its participants—offering not only a powerful story to share but also valuable video evidence to support research led by Dr. Linna Tam-Seto (University of Toronto) into the healing effects of artistic blacksmithing.

This partnership marks a meaningful step toward our vision of creating a mental health and arts-based educational campus in Manitoba, where healing, tradition, and creativity unite.

We are so grateful to Julijette Inc. for walking this path with us. Together, we are forging new possibilities—one story, one piece of art, and one healed life at a time. ✨

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto Veterans Affairs Canada Ryan Reynolds

09/02/2025

Wonderful experience workong with Mathieu and Les Forges de Montreal. We are looking forward to.our future working together Stay tuned for more news

08/26/2025

🚨 Exciting News from Forging Ahead Inc.! 🚨

Continuing with our new updates and collaborations

We are thrilled to announce a research collaboration with Dr. Linna Tam-Seto, PhD from the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto! Together, we will explore the therapeutic benefits of artistic blacksmithing for veterans and first responders. 🔨🔥

This initiative is more than research—it marks the first step toward creating a dedicated Forging Ahead campus and mental health center, offering innovative, evidence-based healing programs to those who have served our communities.

📣 Mark your calendars: October 20–22! Forging Ahead Inc. will present our academic poster at the Canadian Institute of Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Forum in Ottawa, Canada’s leading event for military, veteran, and family health research. This platform will help raise awareness, foster academic and community partnerships, and attract support to grow our programs.

💡 Support our mission! Every donation and partnership helps us bring this vision closer to reality—creating lasting impact for veterans and first responders across Canada.

🔗 Learn more about our research and initiatives: www.forgingaheadinc.org

🔗 Learn more about CIMVHR: https://cimvhr.ca.

Manitoba Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto

08/22/2025

Exciting Updates from Forging Ahead Inc.!

Hello everyone! Continuing with our updates on the hard work we’ve been up to:

In early August, our charity and founder were honored to welcome Mathieu, an expert blacksmith from Les Forges de Montreal . This connection was made possible thanks to the support of MLA Robert Loiselle, a good man and great advocate for our cause.

Together, we share a mutual goal: reviving the creative arts of blacksmithing and other traditional crafts. While Mathieu brings tradition and discipline, Forging Ahead focuses on mindfulness, mental health, and healing.

We had the pleasure of attending the 2025 CanIron event, hosted by the Manitoba Blacksmith Guild. It was an incredible experience, full of amazing connections—thank you to the CanIron and MBG teams for making it possible!

We were also blessed with two days of personal lessons from Mathieu, learning traditional coal-forging methods. The knowledge and experience gained were invaluable, and our gratitude is immense.

Over the next two days, we were able to network, coordinate, and plan for a long-term partnership to help our initiatives grow. Stay tuned for updates on Forging Ahead’s founder’s visit to Les Forges de Montréal this November, where they will celebrate a major milestone event.

We are thrilled to be forging these partnerships and moving our initiative forward!

True Patriot Love Foundation Wounded Warriors Canada Manitoba Government Manitoba Blacksmith GuildForging Ahead Inc.

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St. Adolphe, MB

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+12042327764

Website

https://www.forgingaheadinc.org/

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