October 2023
Successful Career Transition for August
Throughout life, many people encounter crossroads that require courage, resilience, and the willingness to embrace change. August, was facing a crossroads last year when she made the challenging decision to step away from her nursing career. With initiative, perseverance and help from YES, her decision would lead to a journey of self-discovery and newfound confidence.
August’s departure from nursing was not an easy choice. Wrestling with feelings of defeat and a loss of confidence, she found herself at a standstill, looking for a path that would utilize her skills and passion but take her beyond the field of nursing.
A family member introduced August to YES Employment Services. Stepping into the welcoming office, something clicked for August. She was greeted by friendly staff who understood the difficulty of career transitions. August then met with Jordan, a youth worker at YES, for an assessment. This meeting would pave the way for her participation in the Youth Job Connection program. The program resonated with August, offering the support and training she needed to pivot towards a new career.
The Youth Job Connection program kicked off with paid pre-employment training. August was thrilled to discover that the skills she acquired were directly aligned with contemporary job search methods and effective ways to connect with employers. Eager to embrace her new pathway, she committed herself to a full 90 hours of training, soaking in the support and knowledge that would set her up for success.
With newfound skills and a rekindled sense of initiative, August connected with Wesway. They were in need of individuals to provide respite care—a perfect fit for August’s aspirations. The flexibility of the schedule allowed her to ease back into the workforce at her own pace.
“YES really helped me re-build my confidence,” August explained. The resources, kindness and support helped August re-gain her footing and transition into a sector that resonates with her values and ambitions.
We congratulate August and thank her for speaking at our recent Celebration of Services, to share her inspiring story of resilience with our Board of Directors, leadership team and staff. We wish you continued success as you continue your journey.
Annual General Meeting and Celebration of Services
Thank you so much to all those who attended our Celebration on September 27th at the Italian Cultural Centre. We welcomed our board members, leadership and staff to take some instabooth shots and these are some of the fun photos. Special thanks to our success story speakers, the winner of the YES scholarship, and our employers. We are looking forward to another successful year!
$500 Memorial Scholarship Awarded
Our annual $500 Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of all the clients and staff members who are no longer with us. YES clients who were pursuing post-secondary education in September of this year were invited to apply. This year’s successful applicant is Cameron. We awarded her the scholarship during our AGM and Celebration of Services on September 27th. Cameron is pursuing a career in social work at the post-secondary level and we wish her all the best in her academic pursuits. Congratulations from all of us, Cameron!