Jenna’s Story
Choices for Youth (CFY) has many valued employees who deliver services and supports to vulnerable youth in our community. Jenna is staff member who is currently with our Outreach and Youth Engagement program and has been a valued part of the CFY team for over three years. Jenna is a graduate from the Community Recreation Leadership program at the College of the North Atlantic; She started with CFY as a Summer Recreation Student with our Outreach and Youth Engagement team. After her summer position, Jenna was determined to continue working with CFY and became a Relief Worker for The Emergency Shelter and The Lilly. Since then, Jenna has moved onto full-time work at CFY – two years with The Lilly program and now with the Outreach and Youth Engagement program.
If you were to ask Jenna what might be one of her favourite memories at CFY so far, she would likely mention working during the festive holidays. While most individuals like to have Christmas Day off, Jenna has looked forward to spending this day with youth within our programs. On Christmas Day at The Lilly, Jenna enjoyed sharing gifts, cooking dinner with the youth, and being a part of their new memories.
“While Christmas is often a happy time of year, we do know it can also be challenging for many. I always like to offer time [for youth] to reminisce and hold space for feelings but I encourage all to do little things to make it positive and really focus on making new memories – and I love being a part of those new memories.”
Jenna is currently working at our Outreach and Youth Engagement Centre, where she enjoys the fast-paced environment and feels as though she is wearing multiple hats with no two days alike. Drop-in is one of the program’s main highlights, which is when youth can visit the Outreach and Youth Engagement Centre to have a warm meal, socialize with staff, access basic needs (bus passes, safe supplied, etc.), enjoy some recreation activities (movie days, colouring, board games, etc.), and more. Jenna says one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is building trust with young people.
“I pride myself on my ability to build relationships with young people. Many of the young people we work with have previously had many different [support] workers, and that often results in youth having hesitancy in trusting new staff. It takes time to build relationships and trust, but I stick with it – I continuously let them know that I am here for them and will support them however I can. One day they will trust and confide in me, and that really is the best day ever – That is when I know was successful in building that trust and can really dig in to support them where they are.”
Jenna is looking forward to seeing what is in store for next year; She is excited to spend time with her colleagues at staff events and continuing to build relationships and offering recreation activities for youth. However, Jenna is most excited to see the success of the young people she works with – whether that is getting accepted to school, working in a job they are passionate about, or whatever success means to them, she cannot wait to see them achieve their goals.
