Allan, his worker and employer talk about Allan's work - Allan uses his computer skills to scan items for his clients. Allan receives support from North Island Employment Foundation Society in Campbell River.

Travis at Sears- When I came to North Island Employment Foundations Society (NIEFS), I didn’t know how to find a job and looking for work seemed hard for me. In high school I did a work experience but I didn’t know how to turn a work experience into a job.

I started meeting with a Case Manager at NIEFS and came up with a plan. NIEFS helped me reconnect with the owner of Sears and create a carved position where I work as a cleaner. Since I have started my job at Sears I have gained so much confidence. I am so happy! My employer and the staff at Sears are supportive of my skills and abilities. My employer recognized my hard work and this winter I was given an additional shift per week. I now work 3 days a week and I am proud to be part of the Sears team.

When I graduated I never imagined where I would be today- celebrating almost two years of steady employment.

Travis enjoys working at Sears. He receives employment support from North Island Employment Foundations Society.

this about to be moved to the correct location...

this about to be moved to the correct location...

Jordan Lige talks about his employment at Orchard Greens Golf Club and Superstore in Kelowna

Samantha talks about her work at Marshalls

I wanted to work in a grocery store when I graduated from high school and NIEFS helped me meet with the owners of Discovery Foods. The owners encouraged me to keep checking back with them for a position, which I did when I did my shopping at the store. I did a job shadow and work experience. I wore the same uniform as the staff wore to show the owners I was serious about the job. I was offered a job after my work experience ended. I think I impressed my bosses with my great attitude and persistence in checking back. I have been working at Discovery Foods for two years.

I was looking for work and a work environment that I would enjoy. I was working one or two days a week on call, but I did not enjoy the work I was doing. At NIEFS, I learned how to talk about myself and my disability to employers, and how to show an employer what I can do. My Job Developer helped me to meet with employers and arrange interviews. After meeting with the owner of Wasaybia I was offered a job. I felt confident talking to the manager about my learning style and how I can do my best. My boss was patient while I was learning new tasks and took the time to teach me to do the job right. He is kind and considerate. The people at my work make my working days so enjoyable. I work four days a week in a place that is positive and fun.

Hello my name is Russell Wheat. I work at PW Transit in Fort St John, BC.

I have been employed there just over a year now. I started off with a job coach and now work independently with regular evaluations by my employer and job coach.

My duties include sweeping & washing the shop floors, taking out garbage, washing buses and the hand dart buses and doing outside yard work.

The thing I like about my job is getting to learn new things & working with new people.

Michael Fraser and Megan Doerksen both attend the Ft. St. John Association for Community Living, where they both receive services for employment.

Once a week on Thursdays, these two individuals work together on a program that is contracted through Upack Disposals in Toronto, Ontario. We are called Green Team and have shirts and hats we wear. This is a work ready program therefore we learn the skills that will be required working in the community or work here because we need more support to be successful in our jobs.

We go around to different business collecting recycling such as papers and boxes. After collecting everything, we go to the eco depot where we sort and separate the boxes and papers.

During this employment we learn how to work together as a team. We really enjoy having fun and singing to songs and dancing along.

Hi, my name is John Parenteau.

I attend the Ft. St. John Association for Community Living, where I have received support in finding employment. I am very proud being able to work and would like to share with you what I do for work.

Every Wednesday I go to different businesses and homes around town and collect bottles. As part of my employment I am responsible for calling these businesses and homes ahead of time to see if they need me to pick up bottles. I then will go and collect the bottles and sort them out at the bottle depot. I keep all the money that I make off of the bottles. (I really love making money; it makes me feel more independent and important).

Having a job has really taught me a lot. I have learned how to respect people and to be polite to people that I meet. My favorite thing about my job is that I get to meet new people. I love being able to talk to people and introduce myself to them.

This job has helped me feel important and has helped me feel like I have something to offer.

Isabelle Paynter and Dawn Barber both attend the Ft. St. John Association for Community Living, where they have support with their employment through the Careers program.

Twice a week these two ladies work together in a program called Bottle Buddies. This is a work ready/supported group employment position. As part of their employment, they go to different businesses in town collecting bottles and then going to the bottle depot to sort and organize them.

The money that they make gets divided between the two of them at the end of the month. Both women are hard workers and work well as a team. Having a job helps them feel more independent and important. And gives them extra money to do fun things in the community.

My name is Tara Kimberley Torme. I work as an office worker doing filing, data entry, auditing, mail, etc. I currently work 8 hours a week, Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm. My job is at Community Living of BC.

Back in 2008, my grandfather died, I was currently unemployed. I was at a Dress for Success meeting complaining about my current situation to one of the Dress for Success people. They brought Marsha Goldford who used to work here and she offered me a position here. I’ve been working here ever since.

My tasks for my job is filing, auditing, data entry, mail, other office duties, etc. I am learning new skills on the computer and other various office skills.

Work means to me is giving me a place to go, earn income, be around other people, and learn new skills and tasks. I like my colleagues because of their work ethic, their personalities, how they work and get their tasks done. I love working because I earn an income, and learn new skills on a regular basis.

I want to say to other employers thinking about employing people with disabilities is to give us full time work at competitive wages so can earn a living. Consider our education background – for those of us who have education and use that instead of looking at our disability and discriminate us based on that.

I began selling Avon in the summer of 2007. This was something I felt good about doing as I enjoy make-up and beauty items.

I love to sort my products into bags so I can deliver my orders to my customers, this gives me the opportunity to meet new people in the community and to visit with my regular customers.

Working has enabled me to save enough money to financially give me the opportunity of visiting my parents every summer in Kelowna.

Hi my name is Kelsey. I attend FSJACL where I receive services for finding and keeping employment.

I have been working at World’s Gym for 5 years looking after children in the day care. I like my job because of the kids.

Having a job gives me a sense of independence in the way that I earn my own money and can provide for myself.

Hi My name is Megan. I work at Jackfish Dundees Pub in Charlie Lake, BC located right outside of Fort St John, BC.

I have a lot of fun out there and I love my job. I can do my job independently but my support staff helps me with transportation for bottle return and to encourage me. I am grateful for them.

When I work out there I have two parts for my job.

Part #1 is cleaning day. I clean table and chair legs, dusting, windows, blinds and anything else they ask of me.

Part #2 is the bottles. Every second week the bottles need to be returned no matter the weather. It can be sunny, raining or snowing.

My fellow co-workers and bosses are awesome because when I see them smile then I smile because that’s how we roll. We also rock out to music when they put it on no matter what kind it is *Grins*

I want to say keep it up everyone! We made it this far so keep up the awesome work! You all rock!