Facilitator Spotlight
Jamie Weller
This month we are shining the spotlight on one of our program facilitators, Jamie Weller. Jamie currently co-facilitates our virtual Dinner with Friends program and will be facilitating heART Words and Dinner and a Movie programs this fall.
Q. How did you get involved with TotalLink?
I used to work one-on-one with Nick Betsoleiman. One of the activities I would do is drive Nick to TotalLink and sit in on his vocational meetings. I thought TotalLink was an amazing organization and had a great mission. I would help Nick practice applying for jobs and assist him at his job at Glenbrook South High School. Unfortunately, I had to stop working with Nick when I became a full-time staff at Our Place. A year later, I got a call from Emily, who asked if I wanted to be a program facilitator. I said absolutely!
Q. Tell us about what programs you are currently facilitating at TotalLink.
A. I'm currently facilitating Dinner with Friends, which is an online social skills and conversational program. Everyone has the opportunity to email conversation topics throughout the week, and then we discuss them as a group. I'm looking forward to returning to heARTwords, a creative writing program, and the Dinner and a Movie program in the fall session. In the past, I was a part of Guys Night Out and later the Guys Night In programs.
Q.What is your favorite part about being involved with TotalLink?
A. I like how friendly and supportive everyone is in the TotalLink community. Everyone accepts each other for who they are. I enjoy watching the participants grow in their own ways and getting to know them individually.
Q.Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I currently live in Skokie with my girlfriend Catherine and our pet leopard gecko, Pete. I grew up in Northbrook. I went to U of I and majored in Psychology. I have two younger twin brothers who went to U of I as well. I work full time at Our Place as a Senior Program Leader and Volunteer Coordinator. I enjoy the outdoors, especially going on hikes and having bonfires with my friends.
Q. What is a fun fact about you that you would like to share?
A. I was born in Portsmouth, England. I don't have much of an accent anymore, but I lived there until I was 6 years old.