Setting Goals and Overcoming Challenges
Dale’s story began in Lawrence Station, a small community in Charlotte County. With big dreams of post-secondary education and a desire to live independently, Dale faced two significant challenges: accessing sufficient support for his disability-related needs and navigating the logistics of relocating.
Through Inclusion NB’s Social Inclusion Program, Dale received assistance with his disability support program application, enabling him to better access community resources and services. With the guidance of Nigel Flood, Community Developer at Inclusion NB, he successfully secured a beautiful apartment at the Wellington in Saint John.
In advance of the Wellington building opening in Saint John, Inclusion NB and L’Arche partnered to help four individuals to create a vision for their future and explore the supports they would need to participate in community and live successfully and safely in their new home.
This building is a strong model of housing inclusivity where Saint Johners with and without disabilities live in the same complex, in the city’s Uptown.
“While the Social Inclusion Program was there to provide support and advocacy when needed, Dale’s success is entirely his own. He turned opportunities into achievements and dreams into reality through his persistence and belief in his own potential,” says Nigel
Achieving Educational and Professional Milestones
Dale recently spoke at Inclusion NB’s fundraising luncheon, held in December annually, in Saint John.
He (Dale) shared that in 2021, he embarked on his educational journey at NBCC, earning a diploma in Human Services and a Social Services Community Worker Fundamentals certificate. Not stopping there, he completed an additional workplace skills course, which paved the way for his employment with the YMCA. He now is part of the team at the Y’s early learning centre located within St. John the Baptist/King Edward School in Saint John.
Accessing Saint John’s transit system was initially a daunting task, but Dale’s determination and the right support enabled him to master this.
“This was something that I had found challenging at first, however with the right support I was able to successfully navigate the bus route. This enables me to be able to move about the city more freely and be able to get around without having to rely on others,” says Dale.
Building Social Connections
Beyond his educational and professional achievements, Dale prioritized expanding his social connections.
“One way I had started to improve my social network is attending church and meeting new people within my community,” continues Dale. “This is very important to me. Using the different supports available to me in community, including Inclusion NB, I have been able to improve my independence and my autonomy, and I continue to do so.”
A Message of Empowerment
Reflecting on his journey, Dale emphasizes the importance of empowerment and self-motivation.
“With empowerment comes one’s self-esteem, and self-motivation. You have to have self-motivation to be empowered. Unless you are able to take the time to put the work in to empower yourself, things won’t change. And change is a difficult thing. However, at the end of the day if you make the choice to change, and better yourself, then only you can make that possible. You can accomplish anything you want to.”