MentorAbility Canada Hub Highlight Series
Every month, MentorAbility Canada proudly presents one of our implementing partners. They are the MentorAbility coordinators—the backstage workers who quietly go about their tasks to ensure that job seekers, employers, and service providers can shine in the spotlight.
For the French version of this post, please click here.
Pour la version française de cet article, veuillez cliquer ici.
MentorAbility Saskatchewan:
Fostering Inclusion and Propelling Careers in the Heart of the Prairies
Known for its vast prairies and resilient spirit, Saskatchewan is experiencing significant transformations in its employment landscape. Growing sectors like technology, agriculture, healthcare, and renewable energy are attracting skilled workers and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
Amid this growth, persons experiencing disability still face unique challenges in accessing fulfilling careers that match their talents.
MentorAbility Saskatchewan is making great strides in addressing these challenges by connecting persons experiencing disability to mentors in various sectors and regions of the province.
The Transformative Power of Mentorship
A woman in Saskatoon, after managing her disability, wanted to return to the workforce. Through MentorAbility Saskatchewan, she was matched with a mentor in the printing industry, a field that had always appealed to her.
This mentorship not only familiarized her with the latest technologies but also rekindled her passion and strengthened her confidence in her skills. Today, she is enthusiastically exploring new opportunities in this sector.
In another region, a young man with a passion for cooking dreamed of a career in the restaurant industry. MentorAbility connected him with a renowned chef who owns a popular restaurant.
This mentorship offered a privileged glimpse behind the scenes, from kitchen management to customer relations. Motivated by this experience, he decided to pursue formal culinary training to realize his dream of becoming a chef.
“Whether the mentee comes out of the mentorship saying ‘yes, that is
the kind of work I want to do’ or ‘I didn’t realize that’s the kind of work this job does,
and it's not for me,’ both have a profound impact on which road that individual takes.”
Carmen Donald, MentorAbility Coordinator, MentorAbility Saskatchewan
A Person-Centred Approach
By fostering meaningful connections, MentorAbility Saskatchewan enables individuals to overcome obstacles and discover their strengths, regardless of their background or circumstances. When mentorships are focused on their unique desires and needs, mentees see that fulfilling their professional vision is possible.
This mentee-centred approach is at the heart of MentorAbility. “A common challenge mentees face is not being sure which mentorship they want to do,” explains Carmen Donald, MentorAbility Coordinator, MentorAbility Saskatchewan. “I always tell them that we can simply start with whichever field of interest is most important to them. They are the ones in the driver’s seat.”
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Creating a successful mentorship program requires ongoing learning and adaptation. Allyson Schaefer, Partner Relations Supervisor at SaskAbilities and a member of the MentorAbility team, shares that, “As we’ve worked to integrate MentorAbility into our existing employment services, we’ve learned valuable lessons about streamlining communication and ensuring transparent information sharing between our team and employer partners.”
Actively seeking feedback and embracing new ideas and active listening have led to refined processes and strengthened collaboration, enhancing the overall experience for mentors, mentees, and employers.
Building Collaborative Success
MentorAbility Saskatchewan thrives on strong partnerships and actively tailors their approach to meet the needs of local organizations. They participate in industry events, join collaborative committees, and build relationships with other service providers to reach those who most need MentorAbility.
This proactive and personalized approach has been instrumental in creating a supportive network that enables MentorAbility to extend its reach and impact across Saskatchewan. And as participants share their positive experiences with others, a culture of mentorship and inclusion takes root, enriching entire communities by fostering diversity, understanding, and collaboration.
Join the Movement
By signing up to become a mentor, you’ll not only help someone achieve their career goals but gain valuable insights and expand your own network. Complete the mentor sign up form or contact MentorAbility Saskatchewan to learn more about MentorAbility and how to get involved.
“The most meaningful aspect of working with MentorAbility is that we play
a part in shaping someone's future. Can you believe how lucky we are!”
Carmen Donald, MentorAbility Coordinator, MentorAbility Saskatchewan
SaskAbilities
In Regina, contact:
Carmen Donald [email protected]
In Saskatoon, contact:
Samantha Luker [email protected]