Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life funding supports Disability Employment Program in new communities and provinces across Canada


BURNABY, BC--(Marketwired - October 31, 2016) - Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life will continue their support as a Major Gift Corporate Sponsor of the Neil Squire Society's Working Together program with a contribution totaling $75,000 over the next 3 years. Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life have been supporting the Society's disability employment programs for the past 10 years. Their funding will allow the Neil Squire Society to keep up with the surge in demand for services in new communities and provinces across Canada.

The Working Together program helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. The program helps people like Angie, who began attending weekly sessions at the Neil Squire Society that focused on career and personal development, labour market research, and job search skills.

Angie has learning issues and requires repetition and practice to acquire new skills. She also has epilepsy and as a result of this she sometimes tires easily and requires breaks at work.

Over the course of a few months in the Working Together program, her confidence improved greatly. When an opportunity came up to meet with the owner of Atlantic 1801, a Web Development and IT Solutions company based in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Angie jumped at the chance. At the first meeting, the owner, Sean, explained that he was looking for someone he could rely on, someone who would arrive at work each day willing to learn new things and work as part of a team -- Angie was a perfect match.

In no time at all, she has become a valuable member of the Atlantic 1801 team, learning new skills and fitting in well with her coworkers.

"Angie has been a valuable key player to the growth and starting development of Atlantic 1801," Sean explains.

"Don't give up. There is always something out there," says Angie with an upbeat attitude.

With the support of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, the Neil Squire Society will continue to assist people with disabilities like Angie to gain employment and create positive impact in their lives and in the communities in which they live.

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 Great West Life, London Life, Canada Life
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions, and serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada. Responsible and ethical management is an intrinsic value of the companies and is essential to long-term profitability and value creation. As an Imagine Caring Company supporting the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada, the companies donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year.

Distribution of this press release was generously donated by Marketwired.

Contact Information:

For further information, please contact:

Suzanne Wiens
Director of Communications
Neil Squire Society
604.473.9363
suzannew@neilsquire.ca

Tim Oracheski
Director, Media and Public Relations
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
204-946-8961
tim.oracheski@gwl.ca