BURNABY, BC--(Marketwired - October 17, 2016) - Coast Capital Savings has been a long-time supporter of the Neil Squire Society, helping to fund our efforts to connect youth with disabilities to employment. We are happy to announce that this year Coast Capital has once again provided $7,500 in support of our Youth Working Together program.
Studies show that youth with disabilities have a disadvantage in finding work experience while still in school, and often lack vital experience in the labour market. However, when they gain work experience at an early age, their chances of finding steady employment increase substantially.
Through the support of Coast Capital Savings, we have developed a relationship with the Vancouver School Board to assist youth with disabilities in finding paid work experience.
One such youth who has benefitted from this partnership is Christian, a 17-year-old with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability. After participating in the Vancouver School Board's job training for youth with disabilities program, he was referred to the Neil Squire Society's Working Together program to find paid employment.
Having had some experience during job training and with the help of a wage subsidy, Christian was hired at Steve Nash Fitness World, where he enjoys the environment of the gym.
"Neil Squire helped me to find a job," says Christian. "I like to work at Steve Nash."
Christian has some difficulty with motor coordination, hearing, and speech. In collaboration with the Vancouver School Board, he received some initial assistance from his case support worker. However, he has become a fully independent worker and has become a valuable member of the team.
"They helped him find a place where he can work, where people understand his situation, and it's easy for Christian to work with them," says Celia, Christian's mother. "He loves it, he loves to work."
Now Christian is looking forward to continuing working at Steve Nash Fitness World while he begins Grade 12 in the fall.
We would like to thank Coast Capital Savings for enabling us to build better partnerships in the community to reach youth with disabilities and help them get vital work experience and lasting employment.
About Neil Squire Society
Neil Squire Society is the only not-for-profit organization in Canada that for over 32 years has used technology, knowledge and passion to empower Canadians with disabilities. The Society has developed innovative programs and services and some of the world's leading edge assistive technology for people with disabilities. More than 35,000 people with disabilities in Canada have benefited from the work of the Society. With over seventy-five staff, Neil Squire Society has offices and provides services to Canadians in Vancouver, Regina, Ottawa, and Fredericton, as well as to many small communities across Canada via distance education.
About Coast Capital Savings
Coast Capital Savings is Canada's largest credit union by membership. A recipient of the 2015 "Outstanding Corporation" Giving Hearts Award, the credit union invested $5 million into local communities in 2015, focusing on empowering and engaging youth. Coast Capital is one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™, a member of Canada's Best Managed Companies Platinum Club, and an Imagine Canada Caring Company. It has 50 branches serving its 532,000 members in the Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions of British Columbia. Product innovations include Canada's first free chequing account from a full-service financial institution. To learn more, visit coastcapitalsavings.com.
Distribution of this press release was generously donated by Marketwired.
Contact Information:
For further information, please contact:
Suzanne Wiens
604.473.9363
suzannew@neilsquire.ca