When Eileen came to the Neil Squire Society’s Atlantic Regional office, it was clear she had the confidence to move in the direction of her dreams and live the life she had always imagined. After raising two grown sons and spending years caring for two aging family members, Eileen decided it was time to focus on her own dreams and goals. With determination, enthusiasm, and a great support system, Eileen was accepted into the Human Services Program at New Brunswick Community College (new window) and is taking the steps necessary to turn her dreams into reality.
While working with the New Brunswick Association for Community Living (new window), Eileen expressed interest in going back to school and pursuing a career in the human services field. With the experience of caring for a family member who has Alzheimer’s (new window) and another who has dementia (new window), Eileen developed a real passion for helping others. The Neil Squire Society (new window) collaborated with the New Brunswick Association for Community Living to help Eileen take concrete steps toward achieving her goals.
Eileen was first referred to the Neil Squire Society’s Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) for academic upgrading. With a self-disclosed learning disability and being out of school for many years, CALP was the perfect setting for Eileen to refresh her academic skills prior to going back to college. CALP teacher, Danielle, was able to create an individualized learning plan tailored to Eileen’s needs and interests. One way Danielle tapped into Eileen’s interests was to have her do a project on the novel, Still Alice (new window); a memoir about a woman who finds herself in the downward spiral of early onset Alzheimer’s. By engaging Eileen with materials relevant to her life experiences and future aspirations, her learning experience was much more meaningful.
One of Eileen’s key strengths is that she actively seeks out opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Although she was originally referred to the Neil Squire Society for academic upgrading, she also took advantage of the other programs and services the Neil Squire Society has to offer. With unwavering positivity, Eileen also participated in the Computer Comfort Program and the Employ-Ability Program.
In the Computer Comfort Program, Eileen worked closely with a Neil Squire Society volunteer and former Employ-Ability participant, Donna, to prepare herself for the demands of college by improving her basic computer skills. Donna, who also volunteers with Computers for Schools, even made arrangements for Eileen to receive some computer software that will benefit her immensely in her future educational and employment endeavours.
In the Employ-Ability Program, Eileen continued to equip herself with the tools needed to pursue her goal of getting into the human services field. She continued to build her knowledge of computers, specifically as it relates to career exploration and job search. She did two information interviews, one at a home health agency and the other at a care centre. Through these experiences, she gathered the information she needed to make informed decisions, gained valuable insights into the human services field, and built a network of contacts that will be useful when it is time for her to search for employment. Eileen also created targeted resumes and cover letters, practiced for employment interviews, learned numerous job search techniques, and developed an ‘Action Plan for Employment’, outlining the steps she will need to take to secure employment in the human services field.
Armed with her ‘Action Plan for Employment’ and a host of new skills, Eileen is heading to New Brunswick Community College in the fall. Undoubtedly, her positive attitude and willingness to learn will serve her well there just as they did at the Neil Squire Society. With her bubbly personality and contagious laugh, Eileen, with her unforgettable presence, touched each and every person here at the Neil Squire Society in Fredericton (new window), New Brunswick (new window). Even though she will be missed, we are glad she is moving in the direction of her dreams and trust that in the years to come, we will be writing a great follow-up story about how she is living the life she had always imagined.
If you would like to make a donation to support others like Eileen, you may do so here.