About Jerome
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Jerome, along with 35 other British Columbians, were awarded the 2012 BC Community Acheivment Award for their contribution to community. He was also honoured to receive the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Medal for community contribution presented by MP James Moore, as well as the 2011 BC Courage To Come Back Award in the addiction category (see Newsroom page) for his incredible inspiring journey. Jerome is currently the Executive Director of an award winning non profit PoCoMo Youth Services Society, contract faculty with Douglas College Child anbd Youth Care Counselling program, in Vancouver, Canada, and an Internationally recognized Inspirational speaker. Jerome has a Master’s Degree in Leadership and more than 20 years experience working with children, youth, families, and communities. Much of the wisdom that Jerome shares in his work, workshops, and presentations didn’t come from his formal training. Rather, it came from his personal journey and his former lifestyle as heavy drug user, that as a result, left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Jerome was quick to recognize this as a gift, rather than a loss, a challenge rather than defeat. Jerome’s journey taught him how to find the source of life, his inner strengths that would assist him facing, and overcome adversity in reaching his full potential. Jerome’s inspiring workshops and presentations reflects the courage, wisdom and strategies he has acquired in facing and accepting the devastating challenges of living the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He changes his story from one of hopelessness, loss, and uncertainty, to one of inspiration, hope and contribution. This deeply personal story is an inspiration to those who wish to move past challenges and oppression, and experience more personal power and the ability to move forward. He draws on the lessons he has learnt and adapts them to his career as a Counsellor and Executive Director, teacher, developing innovative youth programs, and in the world of leadership. Jerome is known affectionately referred to as the "youth whisperer" for his amazing ability to connect, engage and inspire young people, as well as his work in assisting individuals, families, and organizations identify new strategies to engage challenges and opportunities of life more effectively and fulfilling. To take action in the world by recognizing the power they have inside themselves and around them. Jerome is also an artist (native wood carver), musician, professional wheelchair athlete (tennis), and agent of social change. |
"It's not what happens to you, it's how you react to what happens to you." - Jerome |
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For more insight into Jerome's background and life journey, click on the Newsroom Page. |
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Jerome as a Storyteller |
Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s work as a mythologist and storyteller, Jerome’s passion is to share his experiences and gift’s through storytelling in the hope to inspire others to create new stories, and through these stories change the way we see one another and ourselves. Jerome is regularly invited to present his workshops and keynote addresses to a wide range of audiences - from social service organizations to the corporate world. He brings a unique style of leadership and youth work to the table. Jerome is a powerful, riveting, direct speaker and facilitator who speaks from the heart. He uses a combination of humour and passionate realism to take the audience through his personal struggles and many challenges, as well as the devastating accident. He is a storyteller and presenter. Jerome’s goal is to share his creative insight and practical solutions to challenges. He is a searcher and the seeker of truth. Jerome’s life path is devoted to service and bringing his knowledge forward into the areas of leadership, youth engagement, and inspiration. Jerome is recognized internationally for his work in motivating and inspiring individuals, families, organizations and corporations to reach their full potential and manage the challenges and opportunities of life more effectively. His inspiring story was featured in the best selling book “Peace Begins With Me” written by Ted Kuntz. |
Jerome as a Contributing Citizen:Jerome has been actively involved in his community having served as a Director and member with numerous local and national organizations including: |
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Along with his role as the executive director of a PoCoMo Youth Services Society, Jerome is also a contract faculty and speaker at Douglas College in the Department of Child Family, and Community Studies programs. Further, Jerome’s first career was in professional horse racing for over 17 years. He was the ONLY person in a wheelchair that trained and raced his own stable of horses. Jerome then changes his life path to work with youth. |
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Jerome has received numerous awards and acknowledgements for his contributions to community. He has also received awards and acknowledgemnts for his sporting achevements. Jerome is truly young at heart and continually challenging himself. |
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 Courage to come back award 2011
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