Success Stories

Ray’s Place

“Ray’s Place has in it’s employ a person who is supported by Community Living Hamilton’s Employment Access Program. This person is employed as a dishwasher and kitchen aid at our Restaurant. I do not hesitate to say Employment Access has supplied us with an employee who is very safety conscious and is an asset to our Restaurant.”

Raymond Paquette Hamilton Ontario

Owner

Sun Chemical

“We at Sun Chemical have enjoyed a working relationship with Community Living for over 8 years. Sun Chemical is the world’s largest provider of inks and graphic arts supplies to the printing industry. Community Living Hamilton, Employment Access has allowed us to employ persons with disabilities at our workplace. We have been very successful in this endeavor and have had a person in our employ full time for 7 years.

We at Sun Chemical support Community Living Hamilton’s Employment Access program and are very confident in its success.

If you wish to discuss our company’s association with Community Living please do not hesitate to contact me personally.”

Joe Obermeyer

Plan Manager Sun Chemical

Burlington Ontario

905-639-2561

Mark’s Work Wearhouse

“Working with Employment Access has been seamless: they are a great support, easy to deal with and are always just a phone call away.”

Cathy Binek, Mark’s Work Wearhouse

Union Gas

“We are thrilled with the service that (Employment Access) provides. The candidates that we have employed are friendly, courteous and hard working.”

Theresa Haynes, Union Gas

Dell Pharmacy

“(The staff at Employment Access) are a dedicated group of individuals who provide an exceptional service to both employers and candidates. Their role in bringing quality staffing to employers is to be commended.”

Louise Foster

Manager Dell Pharmacy Hamilton ON

Daniel's Story

“My name is Daniel and I would like to tell you how Employment Access helped me find my first job. I found the job placement specialists and other staff at Employment Access very helpful.

The job placement specialist suggested that I should start at the Employment Access office working on a data base and answering phones for job training. The next job placement I had was at The Hamilton Spectator for twelve weeks, stuffing envelopes with serial stories for schools and working on a data base. I enjoyed working at these two placements.

Later a job placement at Dell Pharmacy was offered. I was hired on a part time basis to which I am presently employed. I enjoy my job very much. I would strongly recommend Employment Access to any person with a disability who is having a difficult time finding a job. Their expertise and knowledge is excellent. I would like to thank Employment Access for helping me find my first job and all the hard work and training that went into preparing me.”

Daniel

Employee Dell Pharmacy Hamilton ON

Stonechurch Medical Centre

“(Jennifer) is an extremely hardworking and dedicated team member whose cheerful disposition reminds us all how important enjoying our daily work is”

Dr. Walker, Stonechurch Medical Centre

Boston Pizza

“We have been partnered with Community Living's Employment Access program for a while now and our experience with them has been fantastic. They did a great job of finding a client suited to the needs of the position, Chris has proven himself to be a valuable employee, always on time and ready to work. The program also does a great job of being there with the client until he or she is ready to work on their own and also respond very quickly to any employer needs or concerns. I highly recommend that all businesses should at the least give the Program an opportunity thru their trial period. I have had adults with disabilities of all ages work for me over the past 10 years and have nothing but positive experiences from a personal and business level. If you would like to speak with me about the program please feel free to call anytime.”

Tobin King

Owner

Boston Pizza
1563 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario
L8S 1E6
tel: 905-777-1919
fax: 905-777-8007
bphamwest@bellnet.ca

Fortinos

“Fortinos has been affiliated with Employment Access, Community Living Hamilton for over 5 years, allowing us to employ persons with a disability. Employment Access has supplied us with a model employee. This person demonstrates excellent employee relations, great productivity, while paying attention to detail. Employment Access provides exemplary training and support in order to provide a valued employee.”

Paul Anderson Fortinos Waterdown ON

Mark’s Work Warehouse

Mark’s Work Warehouse has been a champion employer of Employment Access. Mark’s Work Warehouse has embraced inclusive employment and has wholeheartedly partnered with the Employment Access program. With every success another one was created. The successful journey began in the Meadowlands in Ancaster, and has led to a total of four positive partnerships.

Corrina has been employed by Mark’s Work Warehouse in Ancaster Meadowlands for 7 years. Corrina proudly displays her watch that she was given for 5 years of service to the company. She loves her job as a stock associate and enjoys hanging and folding clothing; but what Corrina especially enjoys is the positive people she is surrounded by. She gets a long with her co-workers well, and enjoys their company; she attends Christmas parties and is a real part of the team. While other staff have come and gone, Corrina has remained a steady fixture of the Mark’s team. Due to the amount of time she has been there she has been able to train and give tips to new staff as they start. Cathy Binek, the manager of the store reports that working with Corrina has been great, she’s treated just like any other employee, disability or not. She reports that working with Employment Access has been seamless; they are a great support easy to deal with and are always just a phone call away.

Due to the success of the Ancaster Location had experienced Mark’s Work Wearhouse on Upper James Street decided to contact Employment Access to find their own Stock Room Associate. Amanda Thies came to work for the Upper James location in October 2004. Gail Doughty the store operator writes; “Amanda is responsible for getting the merchandise in the stock room floor ready. She works independently, asking for directions when needed. If her job is done she helps out wherever needed. Amanda’s dedication to doing her very best is inspiring. Amanda comes to work with a smile on her face. She is always putting others first. At Christmas everyone wants Amanda to draw their name for the gift exchange as she truly understands the gift of giving, making sure the gift is just what the person would like! One year on Bosses Day I was working at another location and Amanda took 2 busses to bring me a "Best Boss" Mug so I would have it on that day. The Team at Marks on Upper James is proud to have Amanda as a staff member. She is truly an important part of our group and shows it takes a Team Effort to be successful.

In December 2006 another partnership was formed with the Mark’s Work Wearhouse on Upper Wentworth. Christine Ramirez was hired to work in the stockroom. In the stockroom she receives and preps clothing to go out onto the sales floor. She works 2-3 shifts per week and always looks forward to pay day. Christine loves the staff perks including a staff discount on merchandise. She likes the fact that the clothing at Mark’s Work Wearhouse fits average and above average women. She expresses that her supervisor Kevin makes her laugh and says he is a very good supervisor. They always have fun at work and she looks forward to going in to work.

Finally in December 2007, the Stoney Creek Location on Queenston Road partnered up with Employment Access, and as expected another positive partnership was formed. They hired Karen Muir as a stock associate this experience has proven to be a positive one for everyone involved.

YMCA Hamilton-Burlington

“A Caught in the Act” Story

There is at the Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA a team member who seems almost omni-present and yet as a team member seems to fly almost imperceptibly below our awareness. John has been working with the YMCA for about nine years now, under an arrangement with Community Living Hamilton. John does a great deal of the teaching and helps me or reminds me of the importance of the simpler things and values in life. John makes daily rounds greeting staff and members alike, inquiring as to ‘how their day is going’, or ‘how they’re feeling’. I feel badly on those occasions when I find myself too busy to be able to stop and chat but I know that my day would be lesser for his absence. Yet, when you’re busy John understands and withdraws only to show up when you’re less busy to give you his daily greeting

John attends all of the staff and volunteer recognition functions and is volunteering for his third year running with the “Breakfast with Santa” event on November 30th. John talks lovingly of his nephews and nieces but singles out the niece with Downs Syndrome as his favourite with that guileless and infectious grin of his.

Just the other day a shipment of knapsacks arrived for the Daycare Centres and a staff in our office downstairs enlisted John who readily sought out the cart and helped her bring down some 15 boxes to the lower level. He does so without question or complaint and it happens daily with John.

John embodies caring. He respects what we do here at the YMCA. He is responsible in word and deed.

Christopher Cutler
Manager, Career Development and Learning
YMCA of Hamilton-Burlington

Fortinos Hamilton

“The person that we have working here has proven to be a great asset to the store and allows me to focus on more of my managerial duties.”
“We have been associated with Community Living Hamilton for over 15 years. The support we have received is always courteous and professional. I would not hesitate in recommending this valuable resource to any business.”

HAVCO Food Den, Hamilton

“We have been associated with Community Living Hamilton for over 15 years. The support we have received is always courteous and professional. I would not hesitate in recommending this valuable resource to any business.”

Kelsey’s Hamilton

“We at Kelsey’s have a strong belief in the potential of individuals with disabilities. We would like to challenge other businesses in Hamilton to recognize the value of hiring someone with a disability.

Party Packagers, Hamilton

“Having an individual with a disability working for Party Packagers has been an asset to our company. They have proven to be knowledgeable about merchandise, work well with our customers and are dependable.”
“Hiring an individual with an intellectual disability has been a positive experience for Tim Hortons, it’s managers, employees and customers.”

Tim Horton’s, Hamilton

“Hiring an individual with an intellectual disability has been a positive experience for Tim Hortons, it’s managers, employees and customers.”