Based out of Penticton, Grizzly Springs Water (new window) has been serving the community for over 30 years.
Co-owner Mike Ford with Brody.
“We are a family-owned small business proudly serving the South Okanagan Valley with bottled water and bagged ice. Established in 1991, the company has a long history in the community, we were excited to take over ownership in 2020. Today our team includes two full-time and five part-time employees, delivering throughout the region, as well as offering convenient pickup at our Penticton store,” say owners Mike and Cassandra Ford.
With the help of a wage subsidy through our Creative Employment Options program, they’ve recently hired two youth with disabilities — River and Brody.
“River has been a great addition to our team. He follows directions well, works hard, and gets along easily with everyone. We are happy to have him with us,” say Mike and Cassandra. “Brody first came to us as a volunteer, interested in learning how to clean and repair water coolers. His skill quickly stood out, and with [Case Manager and Job Developer] Mindy’s help from Neil Squire, he joined our team part-time. Now twice a week, Brody spends a couple of hours in our shop ensuring our coolers are clean and ready for customers. He’s been a great help to our business and a pleasure to work with.”
Co-owner Mike Ford with River, as he lifts a water cooler at work.
It’s been a win-win for both Grizzly Springs Water and the youth.
Both River and Brody joined our Creative Employment Options program with the goal of finding a job.
“I wanted to find a way to earn my own money. Yes, I did achieve this goal,” says River.
Brody, who has ADHD and autism, is proud of his new job and enjoys having “money for games,” saying that he’s “happy here” working at Grizzly Springs Water.
Owners Mike and Cassandra appreciate the support of our Creative Employment Options program.
“As a small business, the wage subsidy has been a huge help in covering the cost of bringing on a new hire. It’s helped offset expenses and provide the kind of extra support small businesses need,” they share. “The hiring process was very easy. [Case Manager and Job Developer] Mindy guided us through each step of the way, which made the experience smooth and stress free.
“We would definitely recommend this program. It has been a great experience — the Neil Squire staff have been incredibly helpful in getting us set up and answering questions along the way. Through this process, we not only received valuable support but also found great additions to our team.”
