Moving to a new town and dealing with co-workers, roommates, and other issues can be stressful, so one Jasperite started a group where residents can connect and discuss the challenges they鈥檙e facing.
鈥淔orming a group basically allows people who are working here in Jasper to have an avenue to release some stress and get rid of negative energy,鈥� said Jeremy Giles, who came up with the idea for VENT. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have that infrastructure of family and friends around you that can support you.鈥�
VENT is a safe place where people can come and discuss any issues causing stress in their life.
As someone who arrived in Jasper from Barbados six years ago, Giles understands the difficulties associated with living and working in such a transient community.
鈥淪ometimes you live with not so nice employees, or employers, or the job just becomes stressful.鈥� People can turn to alcohol or other drugs to cope, which doesn鈥檛 solve anything because 鈥測ou come crashing down and it鈥檚 back to that job鈥攖he same day in, day out job.鈥�
Seasonal transition can be difficult on people, especially from summer to fall because many of their friends pack up and move on. 鈥淧eople don鈥檛 stay very long. Relationships are like a match, they strike, burn bright, and then it鈥檚 out.鈥�
People who attend VENT don鈥檛 need to have a serious work problem or other stressful issues, said Giles. It鈥檚 also a place to meet new people, share experiences and even swap some wisdom.
鈥淚t helps when you know that other people have experienced it, so they might be able to offer you some advice.鈥�
Many employees in the service industry possess other skills and credentials that aren鈥檛 being utilized in their current jobs鈥攊n the past they鈥檝e been accountants or managers, adds Giles. 鈥淚 think this is a way for them to have intelligent and meaningful conversations and release stress at the same time.鈥�
Giles wants to see VENT snowball and carry on. 鈥淚 would like other people to get involved and hopefully it picks up a lot on its own without me.鈥�
He鈥檚 also hopeful that through VENT workers will not only be able to relieve stress, but find ways to be involved in the community. Giles, for example, fueled his passion for basketball while coaching at the high school.
鈥淭here鈥檚 information out there, but sometimes you need that one person that you can connect to that says 鈥榟ey you can do this.鈥欌��
The first VENT session takes place on Thursday, July 18, upstairs at 627 Patricia St. (Community Outreach Services) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Coffee and tea is provided.
Sarah Makowsky
[email protected]
