The 40-year-old is a 2024 graduate of the Maritime Business College Counselling Skills/Social Human Services program.
She enrolled in September of 2023, after 15 years in the beauty industry, with the goal of helping people and making the world a little better place each day.
When her journey began she reflected on being a mother to a daughter with autism and wanting to work with families and children. While researching the Counselling Skills/Social Human Services program she found she could do more than that with the diploma.
“I feel like not only did I get a lot in an education aspect, but I also learned a lot about myself along the way,” says Fennessey. “I don’t know that if I would have taken any other course it would have spoken to me the same way. I learned a lot about the world, and how I viewed it all.”
“Life is tough for everyone and I think taking the Counselling Skills/Social Human Services program really helped me analyze where I wanted to be, where I was going and my past, where I had been.”
During the 14-month program she received not only an education, but came to peace with some things in her life.
Prior to beginning the program she was in a domestic violence relationship she stayed in too long for the sake of her child. She didn’t like feel she would be smart enough to go back to school and obtain a diploma because that was what her former partner made her believe.
Month by month during her time at MBC she dealt with that feeling, but at the same time felt herself becoming stronger and more confident in what she was trying to achieve.
“It is very powerful,” adds Hennessey. “I carry that power with me everyday.”
As a student she spent a lot of time bringing attention to causes like violence against women, missing murdered Indigenous women and more.
“I wanted to be the person and the support that I never had,” she adds. “I think it’s really important and the more we talk about it, the more we can figure out solutions to these problems.”
When she finished the classroom portion of the program, she had the honour of becoming the first MBC student to do their on-the-job training at Jordan’s Principle, an organization that provides support and services to Indigenous children and families in the form of tutoring, occupational therapy, helping with travel to a Powwow and more.
“I was very grateful to be a part of that for eight weeks and I hope other students will go there in the future because it was the best experience,” says Fennessey.
Following graduation, she was hired by the Mi’Kmaq Native Friendship Centre as a Victim Services Navigator.
“Walking into the Friendship Centre, it just felt like home. I have never met a more wonderful (and) welcoming group of folks.”
The role entails finding support for women, who are dealing with a difficult situation or are at risk of human trafficking, either within the centre or through Halifax Regional Police.
“We help them get through some hard situations in a culturally-appropriate manner,” says Fennessey.
The Counselling Skills/Social Human Services program has prepared her for everything working in the field has thrown at her so far.
She loves the work she does, feels fulfilled in her life and credits the Mi’Kmaq Native Friendship Centre and MBC for providing that to her.
“I’ve never felt fulfilled. I have never felt content. It’s always felt like something was missing from my life and I no longer feel that way.”
MBC congratulates Krista for her hard work and dedication. Thank you for choosing MBC for your education journey.
