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EmployAbilities 50th Anniversary
EmployAbilities 50th Anniversary
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Around 230 attendees were at the free Barbecue Party offered for this milestone at Lakeland Employment Services Vegreville Office on July 19.
EmployAbilities (under the former name of the Edmonton Social Services for the Disabled) was registered as a charity in 1974. EmployAbilities North (one of the nine current programs that EmployAbilities offers) started providing services to the citizens of Vegreville in 2005. Lakeland Employment Services (a program of EmployAbilities), which also services clients of EmployAbilities, started in 2012.
This non-profit organization provides people with disabilities and barriers with resources to connect them to the labour market.
John Vandenbeld Marketing & Donations Coordinator explained, “Since 2012, Lakeland Employment Services has connected 634 people to employment. Since 2005, EmployAbilities North has connected 617 people to employment.”
Clients at the anniversary gave their testimonies. Kyle Gauvin mentioned that they taught him the skills that he needed to gain the job that he has now.
Marsha Marshall said about eight years ago, she met with Derek Christensen through a partnership of work collaboration where Derek was able to help her research the supports available for her with a disability and help her get the post-secondary education she needed. “I have returned to school and am supported in a good environment for accommodating disabilities. I am now taking a course in Massage Therapy.”
Marnie Sydora, Program Supervisor for St. Paul and Vegreville Lakeland Employment Services, said, “We offer free employment services to walk-in clients and referred clients, and we offer employer services in the community of Vegreville and area.”
Between Jan 2, 2023, and July 1, 2024, 61 clients (including walk-in clients) gained employment, and 1,639 clients received assistance with 3,598 services delivered in the Vegreville office.
