Success Story: Overcoming Barriers to Find Meaningful Employment
February 28, 2024
Ashley came to the Maple Ridge WorkBC Centre in November 2023 seeking support through our Customized Employment Services. Her journey was one of perseverance and resilience. Ashley has faced health challenges since childhood, completed Grade 10 high school, and worked in various labour-intensive, short-term, and seasonal jobs with cleaning companies and restaurants across BC. However, she struggled to find long-term, meaningful employment, citing a lack of education and personal challenges as key barriers.
In 2022, Ashley moved to Maple Ridge from Powell River, hoping for a fresh start. She began volunteering at The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries, assisting in their kitchen and donation centre. Despite her strong sense of community and willingness to help others, she continued to face difficulties securing paid employment.
Ashley expressed a clear goal during her sessions with the Maple Ridge WorkBC team: she wanted stable employment at a local retirement home where she could contribute to housekeeping and kitchen work. She envisioned such a role as one that would provide her with a supportive, inclusive, and safe environment where she could thrive.
WorkBC’s Customized Support
The Customized Employment Specialist at the Maple Ridge WorkBC Centre worked closely with Ashley to address her needs and goals. Together, they:
- Obtained Access to Training: Arranged for Ashley to complete her Food Safe Level 1 certification.
- Employer Engagement: Coordinated an interview with Chartwell Willow Centre, a local retirement home, to explore supportive employment options.
- On-the-Job Support: Assisted Ashley through several hours of intake training with her new employer and provided on-the-job coaching.
A Transformative Opportunity
With the help of WorkBC, Ashley secured a role as a Dishwasher and Kitchen Assistant in Chartwell Willow Centre's Kitchen Department. This position marked a turning point for her:
- Unionized and Supportive Environment: Ashley described her new workplace as the first in her life where she felt included, safe, and protected.
- Stable and Meaningful Employment: Working over 30 hours per week at a wage of $21.85/hour, Ashley now enjoys a good income that allows her to make better plans for the future.
Ashley shared her gratitude, saying:
“I’m happy to have a good job where everyone treats me well, and I can now make plans for the future.”
A Brighter Future
Through the tailored support of Maple Ridge WorkBC’s Customized Employment Services, Ashley has overcome significant barriers and achieved a life changing milestone. She is now thriving in a stable, supportive environment where her contributions are valued, and her future feels full of possibility.
