Nicolas is a very social person and always enjoys being with people, and so ICSS knew that MentorAbility would be a great way to explore jobs that involve engaging the public.
ICSS used the MentorAbility program to engage The Westin Ottawa to arrange a mentorship for Nicolas in a Greeter role and they were more than happy to accommodate.
The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) has partnered with Fit First® Technologies to assess, train, and link persons with disabilities to employers, and to enhance the way they participate in the workforce. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiative Program (SIP), the CASE Innovation Lab Project supports partnerships with organizations like Fit First to develop and implement sector-based solutions to address workforce challenges.
The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) has partnered with Fit First® Technologies to assess, train, and link persons with disabilities to employers, and to enhance the way they participate in the workforce. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiative Program (SIP), the CASE Innovation Lab Project supports partnerships with organizations like Fit First to develop and implement sector-based solutions to address workforce challenges.
From a presentation to the CASE board of directors about a mentorship idea, to a continued conversation over coffee the next morning, sprung the innovative idea to connect employers and job-seekers and create beneficial mentorship opportunities.
Pilot projects emerged in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, with growing popularity, and MentorAbility success stories started to spread! In 2019, CASE received federal funding and MentorAbility began a powerful national initiative.
When Michael came to Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc. (PPRC) and the Inclusion Alliance to find a new job, he already had work experience stocking shelves in a grocery store. Michael wanted to work in the produce section of a grocery store next, but he was concerned he might not have the skills to do so.
2021/2022 was an exciting and challenging year for CASE. Like the rest of our allies in the supported employment sector, we have been focused on increasing employment inclusion of people who experience disability in this new world of work.
Lacey was interested in exploring a career in after school programming. After learning about a potential mentorship opportunity from the Vocational Training Centre manager, the MentorAbility New Brunswick team coordinated a meeting between Lacey and Amanda, the director of the local Boys and Girls Club. Amanda provided a tour of the facility and later introduced Lacey to the afterschool program supervisor.
Mark Wafer, disability rights activist and former owner of 14 successful Tim Hortons Restaurants shares his experience of building an inclusive workforce
Mentor Canada and the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) jointly released key findings from the Mapping the Mentoring Gap research initiative. The findings show that Canadian youth experiencing disabilities who had access to a formal or informal mentor while growing up reported better mental health, employment, and educational outcomes compared to those who did not have a mentor.
Lisa enjoyed an automotive class during her schooling days and always thought that working in the industry would be a great fit for her; but, seeing as it’s a male-dominated field, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to get hired as a woman. Thankfully, this concern didn’t stop her from looking for opportunities, and Lisa arrived at MentorAbility ready to gain a hands-on mentorship experience working with cars.
