"I have been very impressed with the approach you have taken for the Friendship Project and getting it off the ground in this community as well as the extremely professional presentation that you did --- with very little notice --- for the Human Services Worker class at the college.  Your knowledge reflects the varied background that you have had with different aspects of this field.  Both your style and information show an excellent familiarity with this topic.  You’re always well organized which suggests considerable preparation work ‘behind the scenes’.  As a parent who has a child with special needs, I’ve never been comfortable with the terms such as disability, handicap, challenged, etc. I very much appreciated your perspective of “diverse abilities”.  The class responded very well to your presentation with interest and questions.  In my opinion, this was an excellent learning opportunity for them."
Kaiva Carten
Parent
Jay Townsend, who spoke at our Best Buddies Leadership Conference, not only gave an informative and thought provoking presentation, but really challenged the students to look differently at and think more positively about individuals with intellectual disabilities.   He spoke openly about his own experiences and created a safe environment for students to comfortably talk about their own personal situations or ask difficult questions- all while keeping it real and cool!  Everyone in attendance, students, parents and teachers gained valuable insight from Jay's presentation.
Amylynn Taylor
Best Buddies
“Jay is an inspiring and empathic teacher, with an ability to listen and respond from his own varied experience.   I’ve been impressed by his ability to pull together very specific and useful teaching curriculum for different audiences, and he’s one of the people I always look forward to working with.”   
Aaron Johannes
Co-author of 101 Ways to Make Friends: Ideas and conversation starters for people with disabilities and their supporters.  
www.101friends.ca
"Jay has an understanding of speaking and presenting "meaningful" information in an extremely dynamic way. Great energy & rhythm"
Marissa Cotter
September 2009 Building Bridges Participant
"Jay's passion for what he does is motivating and inspiring" 
September 2009 Building Bridges Participant