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Celebrating Campus For All Success
Lesley Beaulieu is grateful to the people who have given her the opportunity to succeed.
Beaulieu is a graduate of the University of Regina’s Campus For All program, a four-year inclusive post-secondary education experience for adults with an intellectual disability.
More than 18 months ago, Beaulieu was hired by Farm Credit Corporation (FCC) to work with the accounts payable team at head office.
“My work consists of processing invoices, helping the file clerk fold cheques, and stuffing and sealing envelopes. These cheques are sent to all the vendors FCC deals with,” says Beaulieu. “What I enjoy the most about working at FCC is the people. Everyone is super nice and my co-workers see me as a valuable part of the team.”
Beaulieu shared her experiences at an on-campus event acknowledging October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Other speakers at the event included President Dr. Vianne Timmons, Laura Ross, the MLA for Regina Rochdale and Michael Hoffart, President of Farm Credit Canada.
Three years ago, Campus For All, in partnership with Creative Options Regina, created an initiative called 4to40. The initiative connects people experiencing disability with employers who embrace a flexible 4 to 40 hour work week.
Since 4to40 was created, 12 students and graduates have earned permanent jobs. This includes three who work at FCC and two at the U of R Fitness and Lifestyle Centre.
“Research shows that post-secondary education enhances employment outcomes for individuals who have an intellectual disability, including a wider range of job opportunities and greater pay – just like it does for their peers,” says Faith Savarese, Coordinator for Campus For All. “However, we still have a long way to go to find equality. Nearly 70 per cent of Canadians living with a disability are unemployed.”
Dr. Vianne Timmons has taken a personal and professional interest in the rights of the disabled.
“Campus For All is a meaningful undertaking and something that is close to my heart,” says Timmons. “Inclusive education is important – but it is equally important to promote employment opportunities for young persons with disabilities. Employers who have hired persons with disabilities have found they rate average or better on job performance, attendance and workplace safety – and this is something of which we should all take note.”
Timmons praised FCC for its inclusive hiring policy and issued a challenge to other employers.
Says Timmons: “I’d like to issue a challenge to other organizations and show leadership like FCC has. Look at 4to40 options and see for yourself the great potential of persons with intellectual disabilities.”
4to40 Press Conference: National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognized at the University of Regina
The University of Regina hosted a Press Conference on October 28th, 2016 in celebration of 4to40 and the National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The event was attended by over 100 employers, community leaders, partners and 4to40 job seekers.
We are proud to have Dr. Vianne Timmons, President of the University of Regina, Michael Hoffart, President & CEO of Farm Credit Canada, and Hon. Laura Ross, MLA for Regina Rochdale, support our efforts to increase employment opportunities for all those we serve.
You are true champions of inclusion!
Link to the UofR Article: Celebrating Campus For All
Link to CKRM Article: University of Regina celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
For more information on Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca
4to40 Interview with Patrick, SaskTel and RHSAA Employee — Celebrating Inclusive Employers!
Patrick Flaman is well versed in the working world and is a seasoned member of the Sasktel crew, rockin’ employment there for around two years now. His job provides him with security, friendship and that ever important paycheck; but Patrick was given an opportunity that was hard to refuse. Patrick got a second job. Now one might think: How is more work an opportunity that is hard to refuse?
Patrick was offered a job with RHSAA as a line judge and first down official; but most importantly, he was offered that opportunity to work alongside his best friend Rene. If working with your best friend isn’t enough, Patrick also gets to stay fit running up and down the sidelines, as well as out onto the field with his alma mater, the Campbell Tartans.
When asked about what his favorite thing at his new job was, Patrick got excited and exclaimed, ‘getting to work with my friend, and running out with my boys the Campbell Tartans! They love it when I come out with them and high five me as I leave the field.’
Being a guy who loves physical activity and is involved in any sport he can be a part of, this is a great opportunity! Patrick’s connectedness to ‘the boys’ and his comradery from that group of young athletes is special and can’t really be achieved in many lines of work. How many of you can say that you have torn out onto the grid-iron and ripped through a banner touting your colours and company name on any given Monday morning? What a rush!
In addition to Patrick’s dedication to his work, he is also extremely responsible with his extra cash. Finally, when asked what he planned on doing with his extra paycheck, Patrick said nonchalantly, ‘Probably add it to my RDSP’s. Save it. Save it for a day when I get hospitalized or need it for an emergency.’
Wow!
Employment can be all that and a bag of chips. You just have to find the right job!
Thanks Patrick!
To learn more about Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca.
Ben Morris,
Community Education and Outreach
4to40 Interview with Austin, SARCAN Employee — Celebrating Inclusive Employers
Austin has been passionate about recycling for as long as he can remember. In his spare time he cleans up his neighborhood and is always looking for ways to help out the environment. If there is a will there is a way, and Austin’s will is what pushes him to research all the different ways to reduce waste and maintain a healthy planet! That is why a job in recycling could not be better suited for him!
At age 17, Austin has done what so many people fail to do in a lifetime. Find a job which they can care passionately about and make a solid living while doing it. His partnership and employment at Sarcan Recycling is his avenue for success, but Austin’s deep well of knowledge on the subject of recycling helps him in his everyday work.
Austin’s attention to detail helps him with sorting and knowing the exact right way to care for all recyclables. Have you ever noticed that every plastic vessel that you buy has a number attached to its recycling instructions? Austin knows! He also knows what that plastic is made of and where you properly dispose of that vessel.
When asked about his favorite part of his job, Austin simply said, “the fact that I am recycling. Well, and helping the environment.” Austin also took some time to elaborate on his perfect dream job to which he said, “If I could work anywhere I think it would be where I am working — at Sarcan. Or Crown Shred. That would be cool.”
In addition to being a great worker and citizen, Austin is humbly responsible. To be fair, at 17 one doesn’t have a lot of expenses, but he manages to save most of his paychecks every two weeks. “It’s nice to have money. Especially when I want to buy something big.” He does however splurge with twenty dollars every pay day to celebrate his hard work.
Finally, when asked what his favorite part of being on a team is, Austin said, “that we are all recycling together and making a bigger difference. More people recycling is better for the planet.”
Austin’s experience in the workplace is still fresh and new, but faced with the temptations of the everyday, he manages to stay true to himself and his strict code. When we work together we can create the greatest change. Great work Austin! Thanks for keeping us all in check brother.
To learn more about Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca.
Ben Morris,
Community Education and Outreach
4to40 Interview with Rene, RHSAA Employee — Celebrating Inclusive Employers!
Work.
Work pays the bills.
Work helps create identity and gives meaning to our day.
Often overlooked is the less obvious face of work which is connection. Work connects us to people that we often wouldn’t have the opportunity to rub shoulders with, and work is often the soil of which great friendships and relationships are nourished. For Rene, work is opportunity! Not only does he get to earn a fair wage and paycheck, but he gets to be involved in sport. Which is something that Rene also truly values.
Rene is a field judge and yard stick holder for the Regina High School Football League (RHSAA), which not only puts him right in the middle of the action, but it allows him to be active as well. When asked about his favorite part of his job and being part of a team, Rene jovially laughed and said, ‘running back and forth and getting lots of exercise!’
In addition to getting exercise and being part of the action, Rene noted that ‘[he is] lucky to get to work with [his best friend] and some new people too.’ Also highlighted here are the social aspects of the job where he gets to eat pizza with his boss, and hang out with new colleagues and friends.
Rene and his best friend Patrick were given the opportunity to face the challenges of a new work place beside one another. Together they are learning to count on each other and together they are teaching each other how to be accountable. These skills are not only great to have in friendship, but they are also foundational in the work place.
I asked Rene what he planned to do with all of the money he was making from his new job, to which he replied, ‘I dunno. Save up for my trip to Calgary, or a new guitar. Even go out on the weekends to meet up with my friends.’
For Rene, working one or two nights a week affords him the ability to dream for himself and write his own life story. Having a steady paycheck changes a trip with friends to Calgary from being a fleeting thought in conversation and empty promise to one’s self, to an attainable goal. Thanks to the equal opportunities provided by the RHSAA, both Rene and the organization have benefited significantly.
To learn more about Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca.
Ben Morris,
Community Education and Outreach
The Business Case For Inclusive Employment
When: November 5, 2015 2-3pm
Where: Saskatchewan Science Centre Theatre
Cost: $25
RSVP: jeff@creativeoptionsregina.ca
Mark Wafer is the owner of six Tim Hortons franchises in Ontario. Over the past 20 years, Mark and his wife Valerie have hired 118 people with disabilities and currently employ 46 people with disabilities from a work force of 250.
Mark believes there is a clear business case for inclusive employment.
4to40 featured in Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Well 4to40 is at it again! This time it was the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce writing about the impact the program is having at the University.
To download the Saskatchewan Chamber Newsletter, click here –> Jan 2015 Edition