Meet the COR Family: MacKenzie Nestman
Hello! My name is MacKenzie Nestman, and I am currently a Team Leader at COR. I have been with COR for a year and a half now! I first learned about COR through word of mouth from some amazing COR family members. I had the privilege to start my COR journey as a support for two young ladies. I was lucky to have supportive leadership and team members who were generous in sharing their knowledge and experience. After a few months as a support, I then applied for and moved into a Key Support position. I loved this role and spent just over a year in it, growing my confidence and experience in a leadership position. These ladies heavily influenced my passion for the disability sector, and I am currently studying at the University of Regina to continue serving the disability community. I started my team leader journey with two men in March of this year. Being a team leader and full-time undergraduate student has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. I wouldn’t change a thing. I am beyond thankful for the current team I have the privilege to lead and grow with. I am also a proud member of the 100 Acts of Kindness Club!
As mentioned, I am an undergraduate student at the University of Regina. I am finishing my first Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and nursing is the next step on my education journey. I hope to be a nurse in the disability community and eventually a nurse practitioner. I am so thankful for COR and all the people I have had the opportunity to build relationships with. COR has helped me find my purpose and pursue my education in a direction that will help serve my passions! I am proud to say serving in the disability community will be my forever career.
Throughout my time as a support, I have had many opportunities to use my creativity and share my skills with others. One of my favourite personal projects was for an individual I served. I created a homemade video highlighting moments this individual shared with her support and family over the past year. This video means a lot to many different people. I can’t put into words what creating and gifting a video like this was. Moments like these are why I am so passionate about my work and show up every day. If I have the opportunity to make someone’s life a little bit better, I will do everything I can to make that happen. COR allows me to be creative, step outside my comfort zone, and share my unique strengths with others.
My proudest moments thus far at COR have been building trusting and loving relationships. I am keeping this answer broad because there are many things to be proud of. However, it all comes down to the safety and love I continue to nourish with my people and team. I tell others in the community that being part of the COR family is much more than a job. What happens in the lives of the people we support does not stop when we leave their homes at the end of the day. Supporting people, always being present, and nourishing gentleness is not my job; it is who I have become.
My biggest piece of advice for prospective COR candidates is to be yourself. I know that’s vague and may be straightforward, but I strongly believe finding ways to incorporate and share what you love with your future team and individuals is crucial. Sharing your interests helps create a sense of community, belonging, and trust with your individuals and team. I value how personal each team is, and it is because everyone that makes up a team is different and unique from one another. Letting these qualities shine through creates so much room for diversity and growth.
Fun Facts About Me
– I enjoy reading, especially non-fiction books! I love to learn in all capacities. One of my favourite books is You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero.
– Before my COR journey, I was an elite-level gymnast representing Team Canada. I competed at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo for a World Age Group competition in 2019.
– In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, working out, playing flag football, going on walks, travelling, listening to live music, and having picnics!
