A Journey of Adventure, Resilience, and Giving Back
Recently, we had the pleasure of catching up with Jessie, a longtime participant in Reach programming, to hear about her latest travels and recent accomplishments. Raised in a large, close-knit family, Jessie treasures the time spent with them, as well as with her boyfriend of sixteen years. Her warm, supportive nature shines through in all aspects of her life, from her meaningful relationships to her volunteer work and her active role in the Reach community.
Jessie has been a dedicated participant in Reach’s programming for many years, and her commitment to the organization is evident in her role as one of the top fundraisers for our annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser. Year after year, Jessie consistently achieves impressive fundraising goals, showing her passion for supporting Reach and helping others. Beyond her impressive fundraising efforts, Jessie is a strong advocate for Reach, encouraging others to look to the organization for a sense of community, to build lasting friendships, and to access valuable resources. “They have a variety of different support systems you can choose from, whether you are looking to make new friends or participate in things like counseling,” Jessie mentions.
Jessie has a spirit for adventure and finds joy in traveling the world. One of her most cherished adventures was a recent trip to Japan. Jessie made her first visit to Japan around five years ago, before the pandemic. Recently, she and her partner had the opportunity to return to enjoy the scenery, food, and rich history of the country. Prior to the trip, she encouraged her partner to focus on his study of the Japanese language, and they were even able to meet up with his instructor while abroad! Among the many experiences she had there, she fondly recalls trying different foods like Japanese pancakes and candied fruit, watching a dolphin show, seeing the cherry blossoms in bloom, and visiting a historic Japanese castle. Jessie mentioned that she enjoys how accessible and easy to navigate urban areas of Japan are, and shares that she felt welcomed by the locals.
Back at home, Jessie stays busy as a participant in the Special Olympics and a volunteer at the Plymouth Community Center. A swimmer and bowler, she recently overcame an injury just before a swimming competition and still managed to place, showcasing her tenacity. Her friend and In-Home support staff, Grace Hamilton, describes Jessie as “tenacious” and able to “push through tough things, both for herself and others.” Outside of sports, Jessie has been a dedicated volunteer at the Plymouth Community Center for two years, specializing in staffing the seasonal art displays at their gallery. Her dedication to both her community and personal pursuits makes her an admirable example for others.
We are incredibly grateful for Jessie’s continued dedication to Reach, her unwavering warmth, and the positive spirit she brings to everything she does. Her commitment to helping others, both through her fundraising efforts and her supportive presence, truly makes a difference in our community. Jessie’s efforts inspire us all, and we are lucky to have her as a part of the Reach family.