Jess Jones Recreation Therapy Inc.

18/07/2025

JJRT × Siren Section presents: The Waves We Ride ✨

A 2-day therapeutic surf camp in Grand Bend for women, trans & gender-diverse folks.

✨️Surf, heal, create, and connect with us through nature, art, and community.

Co-facilitated by .consiglio with surf instructors &

✨️ 10 am - 4 pm
✨️ September 20th and September 21st
✨️ Register now - www.jjrt.ca

16/07/2025

✨️Reframing growing older✨️

In this design, I felt a profound sense of happiness witnessing how our partner artist Joey Grisdale was able to represent aging through the lens of fun and vitality. Too often, there's a persistent misunderstanding that as we grow older, our capacity - or even our desire - for fun and playfulness diminishes. That simply isn’t true.

During my time in university, I focused my research on play beyond childhood, exploring the question: At what age do we decide that play is no longer viable? Joey’s design challenges this assumption. It reminds us that play, joy, and meaningful activity aren’t reserved for youth - they are essential throughout the lifespan. His work illustrates how engaging in leisure keeps us young at heart and inspires joy, happiness, and freedom.

This, to me, is Leisure as Resistance- resistance to the narrative that aging means opting out, fading away, or becoming disconnected from vibrant community life. It’s a powerful call to action: that we can, and should, do great things when given the opportunity, at any age. Joey’s work doesn’t just celebrate aging - it reframes it as a vibrant, active, and joyful phase of life.

✨️Pre-Order Now! Use our limited time code JJRT2025 for 10% of on all JJRT Merch!✨️

www.jjrt.ca

14/07/2025

It felt really good to be trusted with this project in partnership with 🔥

Back in May, Jess was invited to speak for McCormick Homes Education Day on behalf of the JJRT and the work we are doing to support older adults with a dementia diagnosis. The presentation Jess gave was about using the environment as the third therapist inspired by the education pedagogy of Reggio Emilia.

Traditionally viewed through a lens of early childhood, the Reggio Emilia Approach highlights dignity, respect, and the image of the child (or human in this case). Furthermore it gives back power to the participant as an active participant in the living process. Reggio Emilia values relationships as the core of expression and residents are seen as co-creators, not passive in their programming.

In addition to the education day, Jess was given the task of completing a toolkit to support McCormick's day program staff with an opportunity to practice Reggio Emilia Approach, which also includes continued group and one to one coaching.

This is the work that fuels us. This is the work that truly highlights the JJRT difference. While most service providers offer fixed activities or standardized interventions, JJRT treats every session as an evolving dialogue between environment, facilitator, and participant. The Reggio-inspired model fuels this dynamism:

We don’t “deliver” therapy—we co-create it.

Stay curious. Stay creative. Stay connected.

11/07/2025

✨️Leisure is Resistance✨️

A collaboration between Jess Jones (JJRT) and Joey Grisdale (Sault Ste. Marie)

✨️This shirt is more than a design—it’s a declaration.

At its core, Leisure is Resistance challenges the systems that tell us rest must be earned, that creativity is a luxury, and that productivity defines our worth. As a Recreation Therapist and founder of JJRT, I’ve seen firsthand how leisure, when reclaimed, can become a radical, healing, and liberating force. Leisure is not passive. It’s not an escape. It’s a return to self. It’s community. It’s care. It’s protest.

✨️The fist in this design, gripping both a pencil and a brush, is intentional. It stands for autonomy, expression, and agency. These aren’t just art tools, they’re symbols of voice, story, and imagination. In a world that profits off our disconnection and burnout, creating something beautiful, taking time to play, or choosing joy becomes revolutionary.

Partnering with my friend and fellow artist Joey Grisdale brought this vision to life. Joey’s roots in Sault Ste. Marie, his bold line work, and his deep understanding of symbolism helped translate this movement into something visual, wearable, and loud. This is a shirt for artists, caregivers, dreamers, community builders, and anyone who dares to live fully in a culture that tells us to shrink.

✨️Wear it proudly. Let it start conversations. Let it remind you, and others, that how we spend our leisure matters. Because leisure is living, and leisure is resistance.

Pre order your shirt today! www.jjrt.ca

09/07/2025

04/07/2025

✨JJRT Summer Camp is back!✨

Two ways to summer camp with us!

We totally understand that every family has different needs in the summer, so we’ve got two awesome options for you:

✨ 8-Week Program (July 1 – Aug 23): A small, supportive camp where kids, for a day, get to explore art, nature, games, and more, all with a therapeutic, inclusive vibe.

✨ Single-Day Camp Passes: Choose the days that work for you and let your child jump into all the fun! $85/day, with optional before and after-care.

✨ Both options are led by wonderful certified professionals and designed for all abilities.
✨ Think sensory fun, creative play, movement, and lots of connection.

We’re all about flexibility, joy, and helping kids feel seen and supported. ✨

At JJRT, London, ON | Ages 8–14
Limited spots, so grab yours soon!

Click the first link in our Linktree below to register! ✨
https://linktr.ee/JessJonesrectherapy

03/07/2025

Did you know that we offer Recreational Therapy-based Team Building? Yep 💪🏼

We had the opportunity to work with the leaders of both and South London Neighborhood Resource Center to support their practice with youth - we explored connection, creativity and curiosity through play!

Want to book your team with us? Contact us at admin@jesajonesrecreationtherapy.com

Curated for your team through a comprehensive assessment; and we provide you with data from pre/post assessments, data collection, artifact take aways, and galley of insights.

02/07/2025

I am so excited to finally get the Leisure is Living Podcast up off the ground. I tried doing it myself, but quickly realized I need good people around me to help - a big thanks to .consiglio my official co-host and our incredible media team, Trish & Sahil.

Watch for the official soft launch of the podcast - coming soon!!

✌🏼💪🏼

21/06/2025

✨️After a successful event with Jenna Goodhand, we’re so excited to launch a 4-Week Laughter Yoga Program!

Every Tuesday starting from July 8 to July 29, 7:00–7:45 p.m. at JJRT.

This isn’t a workout class. It’s a chance to breathe, move, connect, and truly laugh again.

✨️ Pay-What-You-Love
✨ No experience is needed
✨️ Limited time and limited seats. Grab yours now!

Let’s laugh our hearts out together!

Click the first link in our bio to join us! ✨️

16/06/2025

✨ Every item has a story; we’re giving them a second chance!

✨️ Join us at the JJRT Thrift Store on June 26 for a cozy day of community thrifting, fresh coffee, tasty treats, and treasures waiting to be found.

✨ Open from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. at Jess Jones Recreation Therapy, London, ON.

✨️ Come for the finds, stay for the vibes!



Leave a ✨️ if you'll be thrifting with us!

12/06/2025

✨ Ready to feel lighter, brighter, and more connected?

Join us this Sunday at Jess Jones Recreation Centre for a joyful session of Laughter Yoga with local Laugh Leader, Jenna Goodhand.

This unique mind-body practice combines intentional laughter with deep breathing, helping you:
✨ Boost your mood
✨ Lower stress
✨ Increase energy
✨ Strengthen social connection

No experience needed. Whether you’re standing or seated, it’s all about showing up just as you are.

Open to adults 18+
Free tickets available — registration opens tomorrow.

Let’s laugh together — for our well-being, for connection, and for the joy of it.

💚

10/06/2025

We have a SPONSORED psychotherapy counselling session available today. In-person or virtually 2:30pm. 50 minutes.

When we receive sponsored counselling sessions, this means they have been made possible through our Socially Conscious mental health initiative by community members like you and we are offering this opportunity at no cost.

To take this hour with RP Erin, please email us at socialwork@jessjonesrecreationtherapy.com