07/30/2026
On Monday afternoon, Options Employment Outreach and Hire Potential came together to host a meaningful Professional Development Day focused on learning, reflection, and well-being.
We welcomed three inspiring guest speakers who shared their experiences, expertise, and valuable insights with our teams:
🔹 Jeff Sparks spoke about accessibility in Saint John, sharing his lived experiences and highlighting some of the barriers that people with disabilities continue to face in our community. His presentation challenged us to think about how we can all contribute to creating a more inclusive and accessible environment.
🔹 Patti Darling, Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and Owner & Operator of Ohana Counselling, shared a heartfelt message about finding joy in the world around us. Through stories from her travel journey and personal experiences, Patti encouraged us to embrace happiness, appreciate the present moment, and seek out the experiences that enrich our lives.
🔹 Kelly Roberts, Speaker & Coach and Creator of the Stop Abandoning Yourself Framework, delivered an impactful presentation on the difference between caring and carrying. She explored how those in helping professions can unintentionally take on the burdens of others, leading to compassion fatigue and burnout, while sharing strategies for maintaining healthy boundaries and self-care.
Thank you to Jeff, Patti, and Kelly for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and inspiration. We also want to thank everyone who attended and contributed to a day filled with meaningful conversations, learning, and connection.
