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This Week We Feature Young Professional Chonda T. Jeffers
In life we may not always end up exactly where we would have expected ourselves to be but at the same time it does not mean that we settle for that nor do we give only a percentage of ourselves until we get to that desired position or goal. We embrace the situation and give only the best of ourselves as wherever we go and whatever we do we must leave a positive and indelible mark along the way as we seek to impact upon the lives of our fellow human beings.
These are not the words of any famous writer or popular figure, dead presidents etc. but the words of this humble writer, who nevertheless, believes that few would be in disagreement.
These words also encapsulate the experience and appropriately describe this week’s Young Professional Chonda T. Jeffers.
Jeffers is the Director/Therapist of the Family Support Network (FSN), which aims to support families that have been affected by domestic violence. Other support that FSN offers are protection orders, child maintenance and provision of legal representation.
Our featured Young Professional joined FSN only last year August and even though it was not exactly the work place that she had her eyes set on, Jeffers is still able to do what she has been trained and always had a passion to do---helping parents and children affected by domestic violence.“After studying in London, I came home and was in need of a job,” Jeffers said with a big and honest smile. Before then she worked as a Guidance Counsellor for Government in three primary schools- Francis Lettsome, Willard Wheatley, and Alexandrina Maduro Primary Schools.
Jeffers herself attended the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School and Willard Wheatley Primary School before receiving her secondary education at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS). She then successfully read for an Associate’s Degree in Human Services at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) before pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in Puerto Rico before copping off her academic pursuits with a Master’s Degree in Counselling at London Metropolitan University.
She said her stints at the three primary schools were a wonderful and rewarding experience, however, she felt that she wanted to do more for the children and their parents, who were victims of domestic violence.
“I realized that with a Bachelor‘s Degree in Psychology I was able to do classroom sessions, however, I did not have the training to conduct one-to-one counselling sessions. I recognized the various behavioural problems which I was unable to tackle, thus, I struggled. There were parents and children who were in need of support and I was not in a position to help,” Jeffers reflected.
Now the Director/Therapist at FSN, Jeffers is now able to effectively deal with Domestic Violence cases, which she said are many. “We are only geared towards supporting victims of domestic violence. Even though the majority of our clients are females, there are still a small percentage of men who come into the office for information, they have rights too. We also work with children through play therapy at the organization.”
Our Young Professional, especially through her ability to perform therapy sessions, has helped FSN to see an increase in clients. “Although FSN provided a number of services, they did not have a counsellor. In retrospect, clients would be referred to other agencies or private therapists within the community. However, that all changed when I came on board. We now have less referrals out of the office, and our clients are pleased we are able to work one-to-one with them. The majority of our female clients who have children are delighted that their children can receive counselling through our services. When children witness domestic violence, they too are traumatized.”
With a Master’s degree and all, Jeffers is still a Young Professional, which could have its challenges in an environment where people must feel they can trust and be able to get help before expressing their issues to anyone. “I have worked with clients of various ages, and during the assessment process they seem to be comfortable regardless of the age. However, during the counselling sessions you can feel a client's reluctance to disclose. While training in the UK, clients have felt a bit uncomfortable when they saw that their counsellor was a young person. Nonetheless, this changed as we both worked together. I make sure that clients are empowered by the time they complete their sessions,” Jeffers said proudly.
She added, however, that there are other challenges that exist at FSN which herself and the other paid employees work under but are still happy to know that they are helping to make a positive difference in the lives of families. “The work situation is not what I am used to as I came from a background working at a trust company before I went to college and then working for government, where they always have the resources in abundance. At the moment we do not have insurance or pension, because we are non-profit and funding is limited. We are hoping that will change soon. However, I am happy for the experience. I would not trade the experience. I love what I do. I love when I see women empowered and when they return to us with great joy and just to say thank you. To see the change is a most rewarding and fulfilling thing.”
Jeffers plans to one day get into private practice with her counselling and therapy sessions but on a larger scale and not limited to domestic violence. However, during her tenure at FSN, she would like to see it get more than two paid employees, more room for clients, and emphasis placed on a shelter for abused women and even children. “One of the difficulties we have is women coming to us fleeing from the violence especially women who are not from the BVI. Men would use immigration as a manipulation for power and control knowing that these women do not have relatives in the BVI and a hard life in their own country. FSN can only provide shelter for only three days. This is a struggle because a protection order usually takes up to two weeks. We are now thankful to the Hon. Penn and the Ministry of Health & Social Development and the members of Cabinet for amending the Domestic Violence Act.”
As a God-fearing and principled young woman, who also has a strong support network of family, church members and friends, Jeffers is confident that her goals for FSN as well as those for herself would be realized.“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me,” and “I know the thoughts that I think towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end”, are two favourite bible scriptures that Jeffers have close to her heart.
She tells youths to “never give up if you know you have a dream or goal. It will take some time and it is going to take some hard work but do not let go of that dream. Work hard and persevere and it will pay off in the end”.
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