Employment Services… Always There to Help!

by | Nov 8, 2022 | Celebrating Success

To meet this beautiful young woman with a radiating smile and twinkle in her eyes, one would find it hard to believe she has struggled with anything in her life – ever.

Several years ago, when Community Living Wallaceburg’s Employment Services program was known as Jobmatch, this beautiful young woman bravely and wisely asked for help! Soon after, Nikki interviewed with RBC, who was immediately ready to make a commitment but Nikki, admitting she was “very sick,” recognized she wasn’t ready to accept neither the commitment nor the responsibilities of employment – but this is a story of resolve & determination.

Wendy Smith, the current Supervisor of Employment Services, coached Nikki for an interview for a volunteer position with Meals on Wheels. Nikki was so well prepared, this local non-profit admitted to a desire to hire her for a paying job if they would have had one to offer. While Nikki wasn’t ready, confessing that her mental health wasn’t where it needed to be to accept even a voluntary position, yet she was determined to build herself up to full-time employment.
Such resolve and self-awareness!
Describing her connection with Wendy as stable and constant, as “always being in [my] corner,” Wendy helped to prepare Nikki for an interview with Scribendi. English as a second language proved another challenge for Nikki, and while she didn’t get the position as a result, she was determined to improve her English skills. For the past few months, she has been participating in weekly online tutoring classes. Such a determined spirit!
By 2016 though, Nikki was feeling strong enough to commit to volunteering on a monthly basis, and began helping to serve individuals who attended St. Ursula’s soup kitchen. She also discovered that writing was a deeply therapeutic outlet for her personally, so she began writing and illustrating stories and poems, often submitting them to online contests: her characters were often reflections of her greatest emotional challenges. Such a talented young woman!
A mental health relapse in 2017, Nikki’s doctor recommended she join Chatham-Kent’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) – a recovery model of care for individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness. She joined in a variety of the recreational activities which resulted in the decision to join an acting troupe in 2019. Despite wanting to quit every day, Nikki credits the commitment to participate in “Mamma Mia” rehearsals and performances as a positive life- changing, breaking point.

Her enduring relationship with Wendy at Employment Services in Wallaceburg lead to an opportunity to volunteer one to two days each week with a local produce supplier, where despite daily exhaustion, she continued. This seemingly small success lead to more volunteering, as did participation in online courses, both serving to build Nikki’s confidence. Feeling she might be ready to help her mother in her business, Nikki dove in and, once again despite wanting to quit every day, she persevered: Nikki is now employed full-time with her Mom’s medical practice.

Also important has been the steadfast support from her brother Kabeer, who has been there for Nikki through thick and thin. Having conquered countless obstacles and overcome many challenges to reach this point, Nikki is now hopeful for her future.

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