Celebrating 16 years of heart, history, and community with Jason

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

If you’ve spent any time around the Moreton Bay region, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Jason O. A devoted father, grandfather, partner, and true pillar of our local community, Jason is a familiar, smiling face to many. When he isn’t out on the road supporting our participants, you’ll likely find him at home with his two beloved dogs or packing up the gear for another camping adventure exploring the Australian bush.

As a Moreton Bay local who knows the area like the back of his hand, Jason doesn’t just live in his community, he breathes life into it. And for the past 16 years, he has been using that local passion to change lives.

From volunteer to the Holistic Horizons family

Jason’s journey into support work began over a decade and a half ago, entirely by chance, when he signed up as a volunteer at Encircle. What started as a desire to give back quickly turned into a career. He transitioned into employment, specialising in employment support, where his natural knack for mentoring shone through. Incredibly, Jason successfully coached every single one of his participants to achieve complete independence in their workplaces.

When Holistic Horizons first began, Jason was one of the very first to step across.

"Once Drew started Holistic, a lot of people followed," Jason recalls. "It was like a little family, everyone moved over to HHSS."

Having been with us since the early days, Jason has watched Holistic Horizons grow significantly. Yet, he notes that the heart of the organisation hasn't shifted an inch. "At its core, it is still exactly the same. It’s a family, a community, and a connection. It’s still a family business, despite its size now."

Jason loves the power of local connection

For Jason, being an exceptional support worker isn't just about showing up for a shift, it’s about opening doors. He firmly believes that local knowledge and personal community roots are a support worker’s greatest tools.

Jason regularly attends local community events just to scope out new opportunities, keeping a constant eye out for activities that might spark joy for the people he supports. Whether it’s navigating local transport, recommending a hidden gem in the neighbourhood, or planning a day out tailored to a participant's specific hobbies, Jason uses his own deep network to build bridges for others.

"I just like finding opportunities for everyone," Jason says simply.

Meaningful moments is a full-circle wins

When you ask Jason about his most meaningful moments over his 16-year career, he doesn't point to major awards or grand gestures. Instead, he looks at the quiet moments.

For Jason, true fulfillment comes from the small, everyday wins: watching a participant's face light up when they realise they can do something they previously thought was impossible, or seeing them build steadily on a new skill week after week.

But perhaps the most beautiful reflection of Jason’s impact is a beautiful, full-circle moment he experiences regularly today. All these years later, Jason now guides and supports Holistic Horizons participants as they volunteer in yard maintenance at Encircle, the exact same community hub where Jason first walked through the doors as a volunteer himself all those years ago.

A lasting impact

Jason is a naturally positive, vibrant, and genuinely happy person. Listening to him speak so passionately about his participants, their routines, and their personal journeys, it becomes instantly clear why he is so revered in this profession and why his career is lined with so many success stories.

Thank you, Jason, for your 16 years of unwavering dedication, your local expertise, and for always keeping the family spirit of Holistic Horizons alive in everything you do!