Ainslie came to Wesley ready to teach.
As a Life Skills Worker at Wesley Youth Housing, she expected her days to be filled with helping young people learn how to cook, budget, manage a household and prepare for employment. What she didn’t expect was how much she would learn in return.
“I didn’t realize how much they would have taught me and how much I take home from each of the youth,” Ainslie says.
After completing her degree in psychology and sociology, Ainslie joined Wesley last year, bringing with her a passion for social services and a personal understanding of what it means to have to learn important life skills early in life.
Today, she works alongside youth to help them build the practical skills and confidence they need to move toward independence. Her work includes everything from teaching laundry, cooking, and meal planning to helping youth open bank accounts, develop savings goals, prepare resumes and practice for job interviews.
“I taught myself how to cook, really, just from my own lived experience. I had to learn at a young age, so a lot of it was just trial and error. I’d try things and figure out what worked. I’d also go to the library and read cookbooks so I could learn how to make different things. And now I’m able to help other people learn how to cook, too.”
But for Ainslie, the work is about more than checking off a list of life skills. It’s about understanding each young person as an individual and meeting them where they are.
“I would say what helps me or makes me a good life skills coach is my passion and my own lived experience. A reason I wanted to come in this field was some of the hardships and barriers I faced growing up and having to learn life skills very early.
Going through that and being in a place where I am now is such a blessing and privilege that I wanted to find a career that I would be able to help and just connect and get to learn more about others and continue to learn from them too.”
Some of the most meaningful moments with youth happen outside the formal lessons. They’re in the conversations, shared experiences and everyday opportunities to build confidence, explore personal values and develop relationships.
“It’s not just about the job. I genuinely love coming to see the youth. I love connecting.”
Ainslie has also seen firsthand how donor support is transforming Youth Housing. Recent renovations and new furniture have made the spaces feel more welcoming, comfortable and youth-friendly.
“It feels more homey,” she says. “It’s a space where they can actually relax and feel comfortable.”
For Ainslie, these changes are a reminder that donations can have a direct impact on a young person’s everyday experience. Funding also helps create opportunities beyond the building itself, from community outings and interactive activities to hands-on life-skills experiences.
“There’s so much that financial donations do beyond just helping run the programs,” she says. “Hearing the different youth testimonies really speaks to how much that funding does help to change trajectories of lives and helps them start making more momentum in their journey.”
The connections she has built with both staff and clients has changed Ainslie, too. Over the past year, the stories and experiences shared by the youth she works with have challenged her perspective, deepened her understanding of the barriers young people face and encouraged her to reflect on her own journey.
“It’s one thing to just read and learn it in school, but to actually connect with those who are coming out of a shelter or those different experiences, it opens your eyes to things that are still happening, even though you wouldn’t think it is.”
For Ainslie, Wesley has been a great place to build experience and grow in social services. Working on the front lines has given her opportunities to respond to crises, build rapport, connect with people and learn how to navigate difficult situations. It’s also given her experience she didn’t get coming out of school and helped her continue progressing in her career.
She also appreciates the opportunities to grow within Wesley and explore different roles across the organization. “It’s a great place to get your foot in the door, or even if you’re already in, to just continue to expand in that.”
What stands out most to Ainslie, though, is the care Wesley shows its staff. She appreciates that the organization listens to feedback, is responsive and makes
employees feel that their voices are seen, valued and important. “You don’t always get that at other workplaces. I think that’s something really special about Wesley.”
For Ainslie, the combination of experience, opportunities to grow and the connections she’s made along the way makes Wesley a special place to work, whatever someone’s journey looks like.
She came to Wesley to help young people move forward. Along the way, they have helped her grow, too.
That is one of many things that make Ainslie’s work so meaningful, and what makes Wesley a place where growth truly goes both ways.
Are you, or is someone you know, interested in becoming a Youth Worker at Wesley? We’re currently hiring! View current listings and apply here:
