Drissia Jamaa takes having fun very seriously. As the Recreation Coordinator at Villa Aulneau, she’s always on the lookout for new and different ways to engage the seniors who make their home at the independent living complex. “My mind is always working,” she admits. “We can’t please everyone all the time, but if you ask me what a resident likes for supper, I can tell you that, even if I can’t guarantee we can always serve her that meal. If you want to accommodate anyone, you first start by listening. And then we plan!”
Jamaa has been working at Villa Aulneau for over 11 years, and worked with the Oblate and Grey Nuns for years before that. Many of those same Sisters now live on the 3.5-acre site tucked into the leafy trees of St. Boniface. “I can say that I truly grew up with the Sisters,” she continues. “They are like my family, and that’s the truth. It’s an honour for me to be able to serve them now as they enter this next phase of their lives.”
The role of a Recreation Coordinator flexes depending on the needs of those they’re planning for. For Jamaa, exploration and experimentation are keys to creating recreation programs that truly enhance the lives of those living at Villa Aulneau. “Sometimes, we go on outings, or we do charity work together,” Jamaa continues. “And every time we do something, I ask them what they liked about it, so that I can always be on the lookout for more things to do.”
While the activities can change from month to month, Jamaa has discovered some principles that guide her work. “Being in the community is important,” she says. “Whether that’s interacting with school children, knitting blankets for the needy, baking snacks for a community group…we know it’s vital to stay integrated into the world around us, and to keep giving. Our seniors have so much knowledge and so many gifts to share.”
She’s also guided by reflecting on what she hopes the future has in store for her. “I see myself in this work,” Jamaa reveals. “When it’s my turn to be cared for, will I be respected? How will I be treated? What would I want? I try to put myself in the shoes of those who live here because it will be me one day.”
Most of all, Jamaa values the connection between herself and residents. “We have doctors, pharmacists and all kinds of services here but the most important thing we do is listen,” she explains. “It’s more than activities, it’s about being there for others and getting to know them. There are some residents that I call every morning and every night, just to say hello and check in. That type of interaction really matters to all of us as human beings.”
For someone with boundless energy, enthusiasm and creativity, Jamaa could take her skills anywhere, but she knows she’s found her calling. “Seniors worked hard their whole lives to create the world we have today, and it’s a way for me to thank them,” she concludes. “Yes, I work to provide for myself and my family, but it’s also a way for me to give back. I’m so happy doing this work, learning and experiencing news things, and getting to know so many incredible people. What a gift!”