Jess Breen is Motivated to be the Advocate She Needed Growing Up

For much of her teenage life, Jessica “Jess” Breen lived out of a suitcase, moving between homes in Cape Breton, navigating the Nova Scotia foster care system and living in a world of constant instability.

“I moved between homes, often living out of a suitcase and had to learn how to navigate many aspects of life independently from a young age,” Jess says. “Those experiences were not always easy, but they shaped the person I am today and helped me develop a strong sense of resilience and determination.”

While navigating those systems gave her a profound understanding of adversity, it was the positive impact of her support system that solidified Jess’ desire to dedicate her life to public service and youth advocacy. 

This summer, the 23-year-old from Cape Breton is celebrating a monumental milestone. She has completed her four-year Bachelor of Arts degree from Cape Breton University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Communication; moreover, in the fall, Jess will officially enter CBU’s Bachelor of Social Work program.

“Receiving my acceptance letter into the Bachelor of Social Work program was one of the proudest moments of my life,” Jess says. “It felt like the culmination of years of hard work. The fact that I get to continue that journey here in Cape Breton makes it even more meaningful because this community is where my heart is.

Finding a sense of belonging at CBU became the foundation of Jess’ journey and she quickly set out to help others find it too. Since 2023, she has been a fixture at the CBU Students’ Union, taking on multiple roles to foster community. This fall, Jess will return for her third year as the Student Centre Coordinator for the Pride and Ally Centre, where she focuses heavily on creating safe and inclusive environments for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“What I’m most proud of is helping create welcoming spaces where students felt they belonged,” Jess says. “The individual events were important, but what stands out most to me are the relationships that were built through them.”

Her passion for community engagement also shone through her role as a bartender at the Pit Lounge and her two years serving as the Stage Manager for the Multicultural Talent Showcase.

“I get to work behind the scenes and help bring the event together, but I also have a front-row seat to the stories, cultures, talents and traditions that students share through their performances,” she says. “It’s one of those events that perfectly represents what makes CBU special.”

Off campus, her advocacy work extended deep into the broader community, including coordinating youth programs for the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, serving as Camp Director at Camp MacLeod, completing a summer internship with the Nova Scotia Maintenance Enforcement Program (Department of Justice) and working with Child and Family Wellbeing in Sydney. Jess says her approach to youth mentorship is rooted in empathy and authenticity.

“I never try to tell them what they need to do, I ask them what it is they are seeking and how I can help them achieve that goal,” Jess says. “Every youth is different. Some youth want solutions and guidance, others might only need you to be a listening ear. It is so important to meet youth where they are.”

For Jess, that ability to listen and provide a safe space is about recognizing the stark realities of the system she grew up in and actively working to change that narrative for the next generation.

“The sad truth is that most children and youth who grow up in care or in vulnerable situations do not receive the proper care, consistency, structure and safety they need to grow. A lot of the time, you will see youth slip through the cracks in broken systems. The system was never made or set up for us to begin with,” Jess says. “So I understand the importance of those things. Why having even just that one person who you can rely on makes all the difference. And as I got older, I realized I wanted to be that person for someone else.”

Ultimately, the most transformative part of her time at CBU was not a specific job or title, but the community she discovered along the way.

“The greatest thing CBU gave me wasn’t a position, a class or even a degree. It gave me a family and a home,” Jess says. “Growing up, I didn’t always have traditional support systems. At CBU, I found professors, staff, coworkers, mentors and friends who believed in me, encouraged me and wanted me to succeed.”

“Over time, those relationships became my chosen family. CBU gave me a community when I needed one most and it inspired me to spend my time helping to create that same feeling for others.”

Looking forward, Jess’ resolve is clear. Driven by a desire to break cycles of generational poverty and adversity, she is dedicated to helping young people from all walks of life achieve their potential.

“I want to help young people realize that their circumstances do not define their future,” she says. “I want to continue supporting youth, advocating for those facing barriers and helping create the kinds of opportunities and support systems that changed my own life.”

Want to make a lasting impact in your community? Discover how CBU’s Bachelor of Social Work program can give you the tools to advocate for change.