I am a young and personable individual who has been working very closely with people who have special needs for over 7 years now. To me, this has meant being an active part of the community by developing meaningful relationships with neighbours, and helping one another learn, grow and ultimately lead better lives. I strongly believe in inclusion. We can all benefit by patiently supporting each other as we explore our own gifts and make our own unique contributions to society.

The special feeling of truly ‘making a difference’ is why I have chosen to work directly with several families within the Ottawa community. I have been told by parents, “Josh, you are really a part of our family now”, and I believe that this is the wonderful result of developing their trust. My work with individuals and their families has taken me across the Atlantic Ocean, all the way to London, England. For nearly one year, I had the opportunity to live in London and help a family set up a new support network for their son who had an intensive variety of medical and social needs. Prior to leaving and upon my return to Ottawa, I also had the opportunity to become a part of another family by supporting their son with his social skill development, employment, community integration and life planning. I am in this line of work because I truly believe in making a difference in people’s lives. The families I work with are the first to remind me that I am a valuable asset to the ‘family team’.

I have recently completed my Bachelor of Arts degree through distance-education while working full-time, and am now exploring opportunities within the field of Social Work. This may lead to more schooling, but one way or another I will continue to explore my passion for working with people and making a difference in my community. As an Independent Facilitator, I believe that my creative qualities and deep listening skills help me to ask thought-provoking questions that can help guide individuals and families so that they can ultimately discover their own unique paths towards a self-determined life.