VALID Recognizes Their Fantastic Employees

VALID Recognizes Their Fantastic Employees

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Ministry of Seniors and Community Services (SCSS) led by Minister Jeremy Nixon has declared Community Disability Service Workers Appreciation Week on May 22-28, 2023.

Executive Director for VALID Association Lana Syms stated that to recognize VALID’s workers, they are going to be having thank you baskets delivered beginning of the week to each program site, they will put posters up all over town, give recognition in the local newspaper and, have door prizes and draws throughout the week, as well as, they will have a Staff BBQ at the end of the week with VALID board cooking for the staff.

“I feel it is essential to do this because our staff work tirelessly to care for those we support. It is a very challenging job and often one that is overlooked as essential to Albertans. Our staff are underpaid and underappreciated and we are working to get them the recognition they deserve. It’s fantastic that the province is finally recognizing these essential workers.

Some of the Disability Service Workers from L-R: Karen Streets, Lana Syms, Stacey Barrett, Bernice Komarnisky.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Our staff help those we support live full and inclusive lives by helping them integrate into the community, going on outings and fieldtrips, volunteering, daily living skills and giving them improved employment opportunities.

Our staff work alongside those we support every step of the way, celebrating successes and supporting challenges each and every day.

VALID helps their employees achieve this for the clients by offering extensive and ongoing training to all our front line disability service workers. We work with staff to ensure they know the plans for those they support and know the goals and aspirations of each person with which they work. We offer flexible work schedules, fair wages and a strong benefits package. Ensuring our staff are wellcompensated for their work is important to us!

Disability Service Workers gave their testimony on what it is like to work for VALID. Karen Streets who has worked for 35 years for VALID expressed that all the people she works with are amazing; the individuals, the guardians, the staff, and the community. “Every day is a fun, new challenge.”

Bernice Komarnisky mentioned that she has worked for one year in June. “This is a good place to work for because every day is different. Also, I have learned so much from working with adults with disabilities. This work has been wonderful.”

Stacey Barrett said that she has been working a month. “I like everything about it. I used to volunteer for VALID before I worked here.”