(Jayleen *left and Kyra *right) at Value Village in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
In Harvey, New Brunswick, Jayleen Taylor is making significant strides in her community. Jayleen, who is in her twenties, is a dedicated Job Coach, passionately helping individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities navigate the world of employment. Her journey, marked by perseverance and a deep commitment to inclusion, began during her high school years.
A Journey of Inclusion and Growth
Jayleen’s story is closely intertwined with Inclusion NB’s Transition to Work Program where she first met Lynn Akmens, who was a Transition Facilitator at the time. Lynn recently retired from Inclusion NB after 15 years of service. This initiative, designed to support students with disabilities in making a successful transition to the workforce, was a pivotal part of Jayleen’s high school experience. Through this program, Jayleen gained valuable skills and confidence, setting the foundation for her future career.
Her first work experience was through a co-op placement at a local bakery. This not only introduced her to the responsibilities of a job but also allowed her to immerse herself in a supportive community environment.
Gaining Valuable Work Experience
Jayleen then secured a paid position at a bakery in Fredericton. This job provided her with extensive hands-on experience and the opportunity to develop her professional skills.
Following her role at the bakery, Jayleen joined Camp Rotary as a counselor. Camp Rotary is the only fully accessible overnight summer camp in New Brunswick, for children, youth, and adults with disabilities.
Jayleen also has worked at Pizza Shack in Harvey. During this time, Jayleen took on a second role as a Job Coach for an employee named Mack. A Job Coach is a professional who provides individualized support to help people with disabilities maintain employment. This could include providing hands-on training and support at the workplace, advocating for accommodations or modifications where necessary, helping the individual develop the required skills and acting as a liaison between the employee and employer. Job Coaches are a fully funded role with no cost to the employer.
Jayleen leveraged her own experiences and the training she received to support Mack in his employment journey. Her work with Mack is fulfilling and highlighted her natural ability to mentor and guide others.
“I monitor Mack, making sure he stays on task, and he is now pretty independent,” Jayleen says.
Expanding Horizons and Embracing Education
Jayleen’s passion for Job Coaching continued to grow, leading her to explore further educational opportunities.
Lynn, recommended that Jayleen complete course work with the Inclusive Communities Institute (ICI), to enhance her knowledge and skills in Job Coaching. “Jayleen just gets it”, says Lynn. “She gets what a Job Coach is.”
This education has been instrumental in her current role and future aspirations. ICI is an online learning platform developed by Inclusion NB and offers professional development for those in employment service and support roles. There are also courses available to anyone with an interest in learning more about inclusive community support for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability.
In addition to her Job Coach work at Pizza Shack, Jayleen also was hired as a Job Coach for Kyra Thomas, an employee with Value Village in Fredericton. Her ability to juggle multiple coaching roles speaks volumes about her dedication and expertise. Jayleen’s impact is felt not only by the individuals she coaches but also by the broader community, which benefits from her commitment to inclusion and empowerment.
“My shifts with Mack and Kyra make my heart happy,” says Jayleen.
Jayleen says one of her favourite parts as a Job Coach is watching the individuals she supports not need her as much, seeing their growth, and knowing she has done her job. This makes her feel like a “proud big sister”. In this role, she continues to be supported by inclusion NB.
Looking Ahead
As Jayleen contemplates the next steps in her career, the idea of going to college is at the forefront of her mind. Her experiences and the success she has achieved have fueled her ambition to further her education in the Human Services sector.
This summer Jayleen will be a counselor for another season at Camp Rotary and has completed First Aid training as a requirement. Jayleen is also working towards her Driver’s License and has recently purchased her own SUV. She is looking forward to the independence of having her own license and vehicle.
Jayleen says, “Inclusion to me means friends and being accepted as the same as everyone else”.
