FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 5, 2023, Whitby, ON
Abilities Centre is pleased to announce a new donation from e-commerce services company geekspeak Commerce which will help fund our Employment & Skills Development Services over the next three years.
Our Employment Services focus on assessing individuals’ skills, goals, values, and strengths in relation to work. Individuals are supported to develop knowledge and skills that are needed to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment, with a key emphasis on building the confidence needed to join the labour market.
“People who want to get into the workforce but face barriers to employment will have greater opportunities thanks to geekspeak Commerce,” says Ross Ste-Croix, General Manager & COO, Abilities Centre. “This multi-year investment in our Employment & Skills Development Services will help a lot of people in our community develop the skills to prepare for, find and keep a job. We are so grateful to geekspeak Commerce for their support!”
Over 1.3 billion people globally live with a disability. In Canada, over 6.2 million Canadians identify as living with a disability that causes pain or impairs their mobility, vision, hearing, or cognition. That’s almost a quarter of the total population in Canada. Persons with disabilities and their families have spending power of over $8 trillion globally, and over $50 billion in Canada, yet only 4% of businesses are focused on making offerings inclusive of disability.
It is time we acknowledge and leverage the talent, skills, and diversity of all members of our community in the creation of fully accessible and inclusive communities that break down barriers and support every individual in realizing their full potential.
“Diversity and inclusion are key values of ours at geekspeak, as is the importance of giving back to the community in which we live, work and play,” says Isaac Wanzama, Founder and Chief Strategist, geekspeak Commerce.
“We are so honoured to be able to partner with Abilities Centre, especially when it comes to enabling equal employment opportunities for people living with disabilities in Whitby and beyond.”
About Abilities Centre
Abilities Centre exists to unlock potential through accessibility. Whether through vocational services, therapeutic recreation, adult day programs, or sport and recreation, every program and service at Abilities Centre is aimed at re-imaging how Canadians live, work and play. We continue to focus our impact to build towards an inclusive, barrier-free life for all Canadians. For more information abilitiescentre.org
About geekspeak Commerce
Founded in 2003, geekspeak is an e-commerce services company focused on helping retailers, manufacturers and distributors sell more online. At geekspeak, we strive to create an environment where people want to come to work every day. We value our diversity and believe it’s our superpower. Different heritages, lived experiences, languages and cultures make for beautiful and rewarding experiences while enhancing our ability to deliver excellent work for our clients. For more information visit: geekspeakcommerce.com
Contacts:
Ross Ste-Croix, General Manager & COO, Abilities Centre, 647.641.8976, rstecroix@abilitiescentre.org
Megan Kimmerer, Client Success & Communications Manager, geekspeak Commerce, megan@geekspeakcommerce.com