Finding community through employment
Karly (right) assists with swim classes at the H20 Adventure and Fitness Centre in Kelowna.
Among the many benefits of employment – empowerment, independence, significance – one of the most powerful is the sense of community and connectedness that comes with it. Our work environments are primary and natural sources for our network of relationships. Karly Fraser has been experiencing this in her job at the YMCA’s H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre in Kelowna.
Karly was referred to TIER Support Services in Kelowna, through CLBC. Through the discovery process, a relationship was fostered that highlighted Karly’s strongest interests in working with children and her leisure activity of swimming.
Her support worker at TIER was also able to identify Karly’s natural abilities, strengths and preferences: mainly that Karly was very social, enjoyed being around children, and was very involved in Special Olympics swimming and other sports. Karly was also very eager to learn, to become increasingly independent, and to become part of a larger community.
TIER had established a working relationship with the local YMCA/H2O center and initiated a volunteer opportunity at the H2O Centre helping out with birthday parties and supporting swim instructors in their classes with the goal of attaining paid employment.
The hours spent volunteering there gave Karly confidence, enabled her to learn some transferable skills, and brought her into contact with many of the staff. After a few months of volunteering, TIER approached the director of the H2O Centre regarding the possibility of creating a paid position for Karly. The management team saw that Karly was reliable, punctual, great with the staff and the children, and that hiring her would be of value to their staff, programs and guests.
Karly is now an Aquatic Fun Leader at the H2O Centre. She assists with the swim classes, helps get the classes prepped, and monitors the users of the Flow Rider and the waterslides.
Karly’s mom Tami talks about the impact this has had, “Being supported by TIER and the YMCA has afforded Karly the ability to find new friends, a larger community and a higher quality of life. The staff and guests at the YMCA are Karly’s community and her friends. She finds people to care about and who make her life richer. The staff include her as often as possible and this job is helping her on the road to independence.”
“A little caring and being included in daily situations means everything to Karly and that is why this job means so much to her. We are truly thankful.”
