Elizabeth has been diagnosed with dyslexia (new window), dysgraphia (new window), and ADD. She has difficulties spelling and retaining what she has read. She learns better by being shown how to do a task, then doing it with supervision while she is doing it. She had been out of the workforce for almost three years and her goal was to find a job so she could pay her way through University.
Elizabeth came to the Neil Squire Society with goals around employment and living more independently. She joined the Working Together Program, which helps people with disabilities develop the skills they need to achieve their employment goals.
Although Elizabeth knew about resumes and cover letters from school, she had no idea that they should be tailored to the job you are applying for. Career research was not something that she considered prior to coming to the Neil Squire Society.
Elizabeth wanted to learn to operate a cash register, so her job developer partnered up with another agency to help her get experience volunteering in a deli setting. Once Elizabeth learned how to do the job, she had the confidence to start applying for other jobs in the community.
Elizabeth was always open to feedback and met with the job developer regularly. She was able to secure part time employment at a local business in the community. The miracle of this is that Elizabeth hardly spoke when she first started working with Neil Squire staff. Seeing her confidence and skill level increase has been a blessing to everyone who has worked with her.
Elizabeth has reached another personal milestone. With the encouragement of the job developer, she wrote her beginner’s for her driver’s licence and is currently enrolled in Driver’s Ed. She has three more driving lessons to complete before she writes her test. It will be quite a pleasure to see her driving a car in addition to running and riding her bike.
Elizabeth is very clear that she would recommend the Neil Squire Society to friends and family. She says that what she learned here is what people need to find a job. She believes it is a much more in-depth approach and wants to encourage others to never give up. She says, “If you keep trying you can exceed even your own expectations.” The Neil Squire Society wishes Elizabeth continued, long term success!
The Working Together with Employers and Enhancing Employability
program is funded by the Government of Canada’s
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities