Careers
Bringing Service and Skills Together
When Joyal Pothanikattu Hance graduated with his bachelor’s degree in commerce and was considering further education, he cast his gaze beyond his home country of India.
He was inspired by family members living abroad, who were seeing the world and experiencing new cultures and decided he wanted this too. Joyal applied to the master’s program at North Island College in Campbell River and was accepted. It was a decision that not only furthered his education but his career.
When the college held a job fair, he was drawn to the Communitas Supportive Care Society booth.
“I was part of a social services club at my school in India,” he reflects. “We supported people living with autism and disabilities who do not have access to the resources we have in Canada. This felt familiar to me, so I decided to leave a resume.”
Joyal was hired and began working as a support worker at one of the homes facilitated by Communitas. After his first six months, he took on the role of case record reviewer, performing reviews for Communitas to ensure records are up-to-date and meeting with various standards. It was an opportunity to put his education to practice.
After two and a half years of serving as a support worker, Joyal decided it was time to make Canada his home. Living on the island and working for Communitas appealed to Joyal so much that he decided to apply for permanent resident (PR) status in Canada. Joyal mentioned to HR staff that there was an opportunity for him to apply for PR through the BC Provincial Nominee Program, asking if they’d be willing to submit support for this. Communitas was willing.
“Joyal was an exemplary employee,” says Layne Mansell, HR Manager, Recruiting. “He had completed all job requirements like his Class 4 License, and showed his desire to serve others through his actions.”
For Joyal, it was another example of how supportive the work environment is at Communitas.
“The PR process is quite involved and often time sensitive. But any time I asked for some paperwork, the staff here were always willing to help,” he says, adding that his PR was approved.
Joyal enjoyed his work so much that when a manager’s position came open, Joyal applied and was hired. It is work he loves.
“My favourite part of the job is caring for and serving people,” Joyal says. “Making a change in a person’s life is amazing, I am always blessed by this work.”
Sheila Bennett is a program director with Communitas. She says that Joyal brings many gifts to his work but his greatest gift is his peaceful presence.
“No matter what is happening, he’s so calm,” Sheila says. “He is truly a servant-leader, there is no ego there.”
Being a manager has been a great marriage of his administrative skills and his heart for people – both staff and the people he serves.
“For Joyal, this is not just a job, it is a vocation,” Sheila says. He truly has a heart for service.”
Joyal says it is as much about using his gifts to serve as it is about the place where he works. Communitas has been unlike any other work environment that Joyal has experienced.
“Everyone is so supportive. You’re part of a team and they’re always there for you,” Joyal says. “I’ve never felt that anywhere else that I’ve worked.”
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