Jenna has been involved with Choices for Youth’s (CFY) RallyForward (RF) program for approximately five years. While staying at Naomi Centre, the staff connected her with CFY and the RF program as they believed that Jenna would benefit from the wrap-around supports provided by RF.
Jenna experienced a lot before coming to RF, and understandably took time to adjust to her new setting. Thankfully, with the help of great RF team members like Joanne, Jenna soon discovered that RF was exactly the change she needed.
“I wouldn’t be where I am now without RallyForward.”
The RF team immediately got Jenna situated with housing, which provided the stability she needed to take the next steps toward improving her situation. The RF team also supported Jenna in other aspects of her life, bringing her to essential appointments, ensuring she had appropriate medication, and simply being there to talk when needed. This assistance removed the uncertainty from Jenna’s life and gave her confidence as she knew she would have a stable place to live and a support system around her moving forward.
Jenna’s story is just one example of how RF's wrap-around supports and programming are changing the lives of young people in our province.
““The consistency that RallyForward provides, through good times, and okay times, and bad times…Jenna knows she can pick up the phone or text us. We will be there for all of it and continue to be there for all of it, providing help in a judgement-free space.”
- Joanne Turner, Community Support Worker, RallyForward
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Like many young people who join RF’s programming, Jenna was not used to having this kind of support. The assistance provided by RF unlocked Jenna’s potential and got her on track toward achieving her goals:
”Choices played a big part in helping me get sober, and that’s when my life really stabilized. I was able to finish school and start working.”
Jenna has been employed with Eastern Health as a full-time Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for several years and is independently in an RF community apartment. Jenna’s independence is a tremendous example of the potential that can be unlocked when youth are supported appropriately:
“I was in such a sad spot…I look at it now, how low I must have been. But I wouldn’t do that stuff now.”
Looking back at her past self, Jenna would encourage young people in similar situations to not give up and be willing to accept help when it is offered.
““Lean into the supports you have available. All the supports can be here, but if someone doesn’t latch onto them, they won’t get the help they need.”
- Joanne Turner, Community Support Worker, RallyForward ”
Every year, Choices for Youth works with over 1,000 young people in our community supporting them with housing, health, employment and family.
