Successful year in heroes

Photo: Contributed

Pathways Abilities Society has wrapped up another successful year recognizing ‘Heroes’ in Kelowna and surrounding communities.
 
The non-profit society, which has been providing services and support for individuals with diverse abilities in our community for over 60 years, decided to launch a program several years ago celebrating the many local business ‘heroes’ that provide employment opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities.
 
Since that time Pathways’ annual ‘Heroes of Diversabilities’ campaign has shined a spotlight on the many positive benefits of integrating individuals with diverse abilities into the workplace.
 
Showcasing stories each month from their growing list of employers, the society has not only been helping educate the general public about issues surrounding diverse abilities but has been making a solid business case that’s driving more and more interest from local businesses.
 
“The business model has proven to be a very successful one for employers” claims Charisse Daley, Pathways’ Executive Director.
 
“We have individuals who want to work, are able to work and when they get the opportunity to do so, put their heart and soul into the work they do.”
 
Daley explains that the customized employment opportunities they create in collaboration with local businesses range from a few hours a week to full-time employment and cover a broad spectrum of job types, from office recycling duties to assembly line work.
 
“We have all kinds of employers working with us. We have restaurants, retail stores, manufactures, tech companies. And by telling our employers’ stories through Heroes of Diversabilities, more employers are becoming aware of the opportunity and are wanting to come on board”, says Daley.
 
But before the program could even get off the ground, it needed a champion; a local company to step up, throw its support behind ‘Heroes’ and make the campaign a reality. That company was Century 21 Assurance Realty.
 
Since coming on board three years ago, Century 21 and its team have been actively engaged in helping Pathways reach out and share its stories.
 
Recently, Century 21 Assurance Realty owners, Anna and Max Carbone celebrated wrapping up another successful year of Heroes and the company was delighted to present Charisse Daley and the society a cheque for four thousand dollars.

Century 21 Assurance Realty’s Myrna Park and Anna Carbone (left) join Pathways’ Executive Director Charisse Daley and Employment Manager Bonnie Fraser (right) for presentation of a cheque from Century 21 to Pathways for four thousand dollars.
 
Pathways and Century 21 look forward to returning again in 2019 with more stories celebrating diversity and inclusion and the local business Heroes making that possible!
 
For more information on Pathways Abilities Society, visit www.pathwayskelowna.ca.