Jenna - Hutt Valley

Jenna is a young woman I support with a mild intellectual disability. Jenna joined Community Connections over 3 years ago when it was time to spread her wings and moved out of her family home and into a flat with her friend.Since then Jenna has really strived. She has become very determined and independent.

Jenna is a friendly and out-going person who is always willing to give everything a go.  Jenna spends most of her days at the Disability Resource Centre in Lower Hutt mainly to socialise with her friends. With a bit of encouragement from Jenna’s family and myself Jenna decided to venture out and look for a part time job.

Together Jenna and I went out into the community in search of a job. Jenna came across a volunteer job at a cat shelter in Upper Hutt. Jenna met some great people but decided after a few weeks this wasn’t for her. Jenna thought a job working in an office would be really cool. Jenna and I approached a Real Estate company in Wellington and from there she had her first interview. Jenna has jobs form filing to working on the computer doing data entry.

Jenna catches the bus every Friday to work and back home again on her own.Jenna has become a part of the team and is always willing to try new things. Jenna has become more confident each time needing less of my support. Jenna gets along very well with her work colleagues engaging in conversations and joining them for lunch. I believe this has helped Jenna’s confidence grow with the skills and experience she is learning along the way.

Jenna is a great advocate for not only herself but others also. When a position for a client representative on the board for Community Connections came up Jenna jumped at the opportunity. Jenna has become a great communicator, contributing to conversations well and her opinion being valued. I supported Jenna at her first board meeting ensuring that she felt comfortable in a new environment. Jenna now attends the board meetings on her own and always looks forward to going along. I continue to support Jenna with ideas and in keeping her motivated. I always ensure Jenna is well supported in continuing to reach her goals.