August 7, 2024 Leave a Comment

JVS Toronto’s New, Innovative One-Year Program Promotes Inclusion

Providing the tools adults with developmental disabilities need to thrive in the workplace and beyond.

Since 1947, JVS Toronto has empowered people from diverse backgrounds to achieve their employment potential.

Our Disability Services programs are staffed by Community Participation Support Workers, Employment Counsellors, and other professionals experienced in working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Participants receive expert guidance as they develop work, life, and social skills leading to meaningful training, employment, and volunteer opportunities.

Recognizing Need

Individuals with disabilities often face challenges when seeking out assistance programs. Capacity limitations and long waitlists mean those wanting support are not able to access it.

Introducing RiseAbility

A structured learning environment designed to empower participants.

RiseAbility is a new program designed to empower individuals with developmental disabilities by developing essential communication and employability skills, fostering independent living, and promoting community activity and inclusion.

This one-year program provides the tools needed to thrive in the workplace and beyond. In a warm, welcoming environment in Midtown Toronto, participants benefit from:

Warm, welcoming, inclusive environment
Identifying an individual’s challenges
Developing key employable and life skills
Education on employer expectations and workplace practices
Hands-on workplace simulations and volunteer opportunities
Professional assessments to track progress
Guidance from experienced professionals

Open to adults:

18 years of age or older
Diagnosed with developmental disabilities
Able to commute to and from program site
Able to use TTC or alternative transportation arrangements for supervised outings

RiseAbility is offered 2, 3, or 5 days/week with affordable fees. Applications are now accepted. For more, visit www.jvstoronto.org/riseability.

August 7, 2024 Leave a Comment

Ask the Employment Specialist: Job Search Mistakes

Dear Joanna,

I am a very busy office manager who was trying to source a qualified full-time receptionist for our office. After posting the job opportunity on several websites, I was shocked to receive over 200 applications with resumes that quite frankly were inappropriate. A time-consuming and painful process, I sorted through other peoples’ messy applications, was able to select four candidates who appeared on paper to be suitable but in reality, were a disaster.

What would you say are the biggest mistakes job seekers make in their search for employment?

Signed: Big Mistakes Don’t Work (BMDW)

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August 2, 2024 Leave a Comment

Grant Results in Structural Repairs and a Bountiful Harvest

JVS Toronto’s clients taking part in a gardening project as part of our Disability Services programming.

JVS Toronto’s head office, located at 74 Tycos Drive, is home to our Disability Employment & Inclusion Services which provides crucial support for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. These highly specialized services include a variety of programs that help build life skills, employment and job search skills, and provide meaning volunteer opportunities throughout the community that promote inclusion and self-sufficiency.

Recently, JVS Toronto received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) as part of the Resilient Communities Fund. The grant received funded improvements to the exterior of the Tycos building. These improvements included structural repairs and metal cladding which improve the heating and cooling of the space and will extend the life of the building so that we can continue to provide this critical programming to the community.

In addition, upgrades were made to the rear exit of the building, making it more accessible for individuals with mobility issues. As a result, the Developing Work Connections and Youth Community Choices for Success programs were able to access outdoor spaces for a cross-program group gardening project. Participants prepared garden beds and tended to the vegetables and herbs they planted.

The gardening project thrived and participants had a bountiful harvest of tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, peppers, and herbs that were used during cooking workshops throughout the summer.

The OTF mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, OTF seeks to support diverse communities and underrepresented populations in order to positively impact individuals experiencing barriers such as socio-economic, geographic, cultural, gender, abilities and/or racial.

On behalf of JVS Toronto and the populations we serve, we thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their continued support.

Our Mission

JVS Toronto is a non-profit leader in career and employment services for jobseekers and employers.It is our mission to empower people from diverse backgrounds and communities to achieve their employment potential and partners with employers to develop a strong and inclusive workforce.

July 25, 2024 1 Comment

Industry Experts Talk: The Future of Jobs in Banking

Industry Experts Talk is a weekly webinar series where job seekers can get expert insight and up-to-date information from industry-leading experts. You will learn about market trends, the skills and qualifications employers are looking, their recruitment processes, and how to stand out in today’s competitive job market.

On June 14 2020, Rajeev Chib, Pan Asia Regional Head, Client Development and Business Management, Citibank, joined our panel of industry experts to advise job seekers on navigating the labour market, including topics like:

Re-engineering the recruitment process – Supercharging the digitization of doing business
Navigating the “New Normal” in the Finance Industry
As educational institutions rethink their business models; leverage online learning

[Read more…]

July 25, 2024 Leave a Comment

Annual Report 2022-2023

We are thrilled to announce the release of JVS Toronto’s Annual Report for the year 2022-2023, titled “Innovate & Elevate: Transforming Lives through Collaboration.” This report illuminates the combined efforts of our Agency, donors, and community partners as we serve our community by empowering individuals to forge paths toward brighter futures.

Within the report, we proudly showcase glimpses of the profound impact our work has had on the lives of our clients. Their inspirational stories serve as a testament to the dedication and passion that propel our organization forward. Additionally, we highlight the stories of several of our dedicated staff members who are deeply committed to effecting positive change in the lives of those we serve.

Our accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of our dedicated staff, generous donors, and the rest of our community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued belief in and support of our mission. Together, we are creating opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds across Toronto to realize their full potential.

View Our Annual Report