Rebecca (name changed to protect privacy) is a young songwriter who is passionate about the arts. She has cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, and uses a wheelchair. Looking for work experience that suited her interests, she joined our Creative Employment Options program.
“I wanted work experience,” shares Rebecca, who is in Grade 11.
With the help of our Penticton office, she soon found a work placement with the Ryga Arts Festival (new window) doing promotions work, greeting, and even a little emceeing for last year’s festival — the role was a perfect fit for Rebecca.
The Ryga Arts Festival, named for and held in of honour of Canadian playwright and author George Ryga, is an annual arts festival featuring storytelling, singing, creative writing, acting, playwriting, and more, “with the aim to follow George Ryga’s inspiration and foster creativity and creative expression in any art form.” Many of the works deal with social issues. Last year, they held their 10th anniversary festival.
Ryga Arts Festival General Manager, Trista Bassett, says the hiring process through the Creative Employment Options program was “easy.” And it wasn’t just a great fit for Rebecca, it was a win-win for employer and employee.
“Our employee was great. She was attentive and personable, and came out of her shell quite a bit as we attended weekly markets together. She even experienced her first role as co-emcee for one of our events,” Trista shares.
“We were able to mentor and train a young person in a field that she is very interested in, and provide her with the opportunity to grow. As our mandate is ‘advocating for social justice through the arts,’ we really benefited from just having her around and helping her grow as a person. It was very rewarding.”
Trista says she “definitely” recommends the Creative Employment Options program to other employers.
For Rebecca, the job was a great growing opportunity, and she is excited for the future, with a goal of attending university or doing a mentorship for songwriting. With the experience of having a job under her belt, the possibilities are endless.
“My goal was to have a job to get work experience, yes, I achieved my goal,” she says. “I see it’s possible for me to have a job and now I know of more opportunities.”
