2025 DEAM Employer Reception, hosted by 4to40

On October 23, 2025, over 65 employer and community partners from across Regina gathered at Innovation Place for an evening of connection and celebration in recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM), hosted by 4to40, a partnership between Campus for All at the University of Regina and Creative Options Regina (COR).

The event celebrated the power of inclusive employment and the people and organizations leading the way. Co-hosted by Michael Lavis, CEO of COR, and Aaron Orban, COR Board Member and Executive Director at the Ministry of Justice, Access and Privacy, the evening honoured a decade of progress through 4to40 – a community-driven initiative that has connected more than 80 individuals experiencing disability to meaningful, long-term employment across numerous sectors in Regina.

Attendees included a cross-section of Regina’s public and private sector employers; from small businesses to large institutions like Farm Credit Canada, the University of Regina, and various Government of Saskatchewan departments, each demonstrating that inclusion, when led with intention, builds stronger, more resilient workplaces.

The University of Regina, a founding partner in 4to40, was specifically recognized for its sustained leadership in inclusive hiring. Remarks from organizational leadership and the family of an employed individual underscored the depth of impact that personalized, purpose-driven employment can have, not just on individuals, but on teams and workplace culture as a whole.

As highlighted throughout the evening:

• Inclusive employment is not about charity; it’s about value – creating roles that matter to the organization and are meaningful to the employee.
• Real inclusion happens through everyday leadership, where employers choose to see potential in places others might overlook.

Pre and post-event media coverage reinforced the significance of this work:

• CTV Regina (Oct 17) profiled COR’s mission to create equitable access to employment.
• CBC Morning Edition (Oct 20) featured a local business reshaping its hiring practices with support from 4to40.
• SaskToday.ca (Oct 26) showcased the real-world success of inclusive workplaces made possible through intentional collaboration.

This reception served as a powerful reminder that when inclusion is led with purpose, everybody wins!