One Year
By Michelle Avery, CEO and Director
We have reached a milestone. One that, only a year ago, none of us could have predicted would be in our future: a year without our Founder.
From counting days to weeks, to months, and now, a year, our village has moved through this loss together.
The past year has brought change to the company, and all our lives on a deeply personal level. We have simultaneously experienced loss and growth, as we strived to keep everything in balance and provide the best client experience.
Deciding to keep our intended parent intakes paused was a difficult call to make but it has enabled us to prioritize our current clients. This choice will also set us up to reopen intakes in the future, while still upholding the highest standards for our clients.
To continue while addressing our grief has been nothing short of challenging. It has been emotional, stressful, and even daunting at times.
There have been some beautiful moments that have been difficult to celebrate without Jennifer. The 150th JA baby was born and the first baby transferred following Jennifer’s passing was welcomed in April 2024.
Many clients showed us great kindness and grace while we navigated our first few months of loss. Many industry professionals showed continuous support for our agency and our goals. For all of this love and support, we feel incredibly grateful.
It has been a year marked by change, and it has presented us with an opportunity to step into the future while continuing to honour the legacy that started it all. Time changes all things, and it offers us a choice; to remain still or to move forward. To learn and to adapt.
We will continue in the mission that JA was founded on, and continue to strive for the best client experience that we can offer. We look forward to the ongoing support from those who have been our pillars, especially over the last twelve months, and the development of new partnerships and professional connections.
No matter where the future takes us, our vision remains the same, and our goal of helping build families with the best client experience is our focus.