April 2025
Jaelyn’s Passion for Pets Leads to a Career in Grooming
When Jaelyn first came to YES Employment Services, she was at a crossroads. She wasn’t sure what her next step should be, but she knew she wanted something meaningful—something that could bring structure and direction to her life.
That’s when she met Aaron, her Workforce Empowerment Coach. Right away, Jaelyn felt a connection. “He’s funny and relatable,” she said. Aaron was running pre-employment training sessions at the time, and that’s exactly what Jaelyn needed. She was nervous about joining because she had never really felt comfortable in a traditional school setting, but YES felt different. The informal, supportive environment helped her feel at ease, and Aaron quickly became someone she could talk things through with as she figured out what her future might look like.
Through those conversations, one thing became clear—Jaelyn had a real passion for animals. That’s where YES focused its efforts: finding her a role where she could work with animals and build a future.
Employer Relations Coordinator, Matthew White reached out to Trekking Paws, a local business that was on the lookout for someone to train as a dog groomer. They had a skilled groomer, Jocelyn, who needed a committed, long-term assistant. The role wasn’t just about helping out—it was about showing drive, career-focus, and a willingness to learn. Jaelyn fit the bill.
Her interview went well, and in September 2024, she started her placement with the business.
In Spring 2025, we caught up with Jaelyn who was busy at her grooming station. It was clear she’d come a long way. Jocelyn praised her dedication, and Jaelyn, with a smile, said, “It’s my first real job.” She’s not only comfortable in her new role, she has found the path and meaning in her life she was looking for.
After the success of her placement, Trekking Paws offered Jaelyn a full-time position, and she is excited to keep growing in her new field.
At YES, our job is to help people figure out what they really want to do—and then connect them with employers who need someone just like them. It sounds simple, but when it works, it really works. And in Jaelyn’s case, it clicked perfectly.
Congratulations, Jaelyn! And a big thank-you to Trekking Paws for believing in her potential and helping her launch her career.
If you would like assistance with your job search, call, visit or e-mail YES. You can also request an appointment here.
Recruitment and Retention Conference Success!
YES hosted its very first Recruitment and Retention Conference on March 21st, 2025 through sponsorship from our new Empower You(th) program. Feed back was highly positive and we stretched the capacity for our venue because demand was so high. Attendants raved about our keynote Deanne Gagnon from Deanne Gagnon Dynamics. Speakers also included Crystal Olson from Serco, Stacey Platt outlined the new Regional Economic Development through Immigration project delivered by the CEDC, Charla Robinson, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce provided an economic snapshot for local businesses, Gary Christian, NSWPB shared important labour market trends and Maria Karimi who came in all the way from CCRW in Ottawa, talked about invisible disabilities in the workplace. It was a day of connections and partnership building and we definitely want to bring this conference to our community again next year. Thank you so much to all the employers and speakers who made this conference such a great event!
Wellness Event for YES Staff
A big YES shout out to our Wellness Committee members for bringing a wee bit o’ the Irish and a whole lot of fun to St. Patrick’s Day. Congratulations to Summer, who was the big winner of the Rainbow scavenger hunt. Staff were treated to gold coins and green snacks in our Common Square. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the fun!
Community Engagement
The Opportunities Northwest Job Fair at the Valhalla Inn took place on March 27th. This annual event gives YES an opportunity to connect with job seekers in our community and engage with them about our programs and services. The YES booth was a busy one as we provided information and gave visitors a chance to win SWAG by playing Plinko. We spoke to over 400 booth visitors over the course of a very busy day. We want to thank Dougall Media for hosting this community Job Fair every year!
Thank you to Red Rock Indian Band & Nipigon Red Rock District High School for inviting us to participate in a their Career Fair on March 25, 2025. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for YES to connect with students and members of the public, who were eager to explore diverse career paths and their futures.