Social Change and Fun: Find Your Career with Community Living Huntsville

Rachel Boone, a Direct Support Professional with the Community Participation team at Community Living Huntsville, says her career is a fulfilling mix of practical support, advocacy, and fun. Photo by Community Living Huntsville.

Rachel Boone was searching for a career filled with purpose and joy – and she found it at Community Living Huntsville.

“Being part of a progressive organization focused on social change offers me an opportunity to make a real difference while having fun, too,” she said. “I love it.”

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit Developmental Services organization that provides practical support to and advocates alongside more than 300 children and adults, and their families. The purpose? To promote and advance meaningful choice and real inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, so people, families, and the community can thrive.

The organization’s growing team of more than 90 employees includes Direct Support Professionals who provide person-directed services in Supported Group Living, Supported Independent Living, Community Participation, and Children and Youth Services.

Boone, who had previous experience in Social Services, Employment Services, and Developmental Services, said she had not fully realized what a position as a Direct Support Professional with the organization’s Community Participation team meant until she talked with another team member.

“If I’d known about it – and how fun and fulfilling it is – I would have applied much sooner,” she said. “You get to support people one-on-one around town as they discover amazing opportunities in our community, based on their own interests. What could be better?” Every day is different and exciting. “I have never come to work and felt bored,” she said.

Boone also gets to explore the community alongside the people she supports. “You get to help people reach their goals while doing all kinds of fun things together, like going to the pool, concerts, movies, art classes, or even ComicCon,” she said. “It’s a job that brings joy to the people you support and to you, when you see their joy.”

People and a sense of community, she said, were the best part of the work. She gave the example of how she felt as people she supported stopped to chat with friends they had run into unexpectedly at the Huntsville Fall Fair. “You feel like you are a part of the community,” she said. “It is really cool.”

Boone said it was still hard to believe that the work she finds so fun is a very real job.

“You listen to people’s needs and use your creativity to help them achieve their goals,” she said. “It is a very creative, collaborative, satisfying, and joyful position. I am grateful to have it.”

If you’re looking for purpose-driven work where people and community belonging are at the heart of what you do, apply as a Direct Support Professional with the growing team at Community Living Huntsville.

The organization offers competitive pay, employer-paid benefits, an employee and family assistance program, ongoing training, opportunities for advancement, a positive team environment, staff wellness and social activities, and more, in beautiful North Muskoka.

Full-time, part-time, overnight, and casual positions in Supported Group Living, Supported Independent Living, Community Participation, and Children and Youth Services may be available.

A Human Services diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience, as well as personal-care experience, knowledge and understanding of disability support and inclusion, a valid G license, and a reliable vehicle insured for work purposes in the applicant’s name, are needed.

Contact Careers@clhuntsville.ca or visit www.clhuntsville.ca/careers/ to view current opportunities and apply today.

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside more than 300 children and adults, and their families, to promote and advance meaningful choice and real inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, so people, families, and our community can thrive. Learn more at clhuntsville.ca. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.