Archive for the ‘Success Stories’ Category

Abneet Writes About Her Experiences

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Former Employ-Ability Program participant, Abneet, was recently paid to write an article about her experiences as a person living with a disability. The article will be published in the next issue of “Possibilities”, a quarterly insert in the Surrey Now (new window) newspaper.

The editor-in-chief was so impressed by Abneet that they are looking to hire her as a regular columnist for their paper. They have also asked her to be part of their team when they give presentations in the community!

We look forward to reading Abneet’s contributions to Surrey Now (new window).

If you would like to make a donation to support others like Abneet, you may do so here.

“Thank you for the skills you have given me”

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Heather has severe arthritis (new window) and osteoarthritis (new window) in her back. She also wears hearing aids in both ears as she is 67% deaf (new window).

She attended the Neil Squire Society’s Employ-Ability program at the Footprints to Technology centre (new window) in Penticton, British Columbia. This experience gave her the confidence to work at the Family History Center doing Genealogy. She currently does 20 to 30 hours of data entry from her home every week. She also works 8 to 10 hours every week at her church.

In addition to her jobs, Heather keeps busy working with the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association in Chilliwack and Kelowna, British Columbia where she supports 310 people via email and chat about hearing loss. She hopes to start up a branch in Penticton in the near future.

To further her skills, she is taking online courses in writing and counseling with Brigham Young University (new window).

“Thank you for the skills you have given me. I would encourage anyone to come to take the classes here” she says, “You have all been a great support to me”.

If you would like to make a donation to support others like Heather, you may do so here.

Sharon Finds her Niche in the Workplace

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Sharon was employed full time when she became sick with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (new window) and could no longer maintain the pace of a full-time position. This chronic condition is characterized by heightened sensitivity to chemicals. Poor air quality leads to allergic reactions, increased chronic fatigue and greater severity of other symptoms; alternatively, better air quality leads to continued ability to function and keep working.

Feeling like her life was at a standstill and that professional assistance may help her turn things around, Sharon decided to enter the Neil Squire Society’s Employ-Ability program in Saskatchewan to help her find suitable employment.

“The Neil Squire Society provided the opportunity to learn and experiment with coping techniques, such as planning time and tasks in order to maintain maximum energy levels, and using all my other precious resources efficiently and effectively,” says Sharon. “They provided support and helped me to set a structure in my life. They taught me how to properly set goals and they assisted in practicing this in an employment-like setting.”

Using what she learned at the Neil Squire Society to obtain her pre-determined goal, a permanent part-time position with the provincial government (new window) in human resources, she began job hunting. “Without the assistance of the instructors and staff at the Neil Squire Society, I would never have had the confidence in myself to do this,” says Sharon.

One day she got a phone call from the Neil Squire Society asking if she would be interested in becoming a  GED (new window) instructor and tutor for the Literacy program. She jumped at the chance. “I feel that I have found my niche in the workplace. I am so appreciative that I sought assistance; then identified and undauntedly pursued my goals. Now I am able to assist others in turning their lives around and reaching their potential.”

If you would like to make a donation to support others like Sharon, you may do so here.