Recognizing client success, and the contributions of volunteers and employers, has been a staple each year at JVS Toronto’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). On October 3, 2018, JVS Toronto presented its AGM Awards to five very deserving recipients.

“Our award winners all have one thing in common,” said Jeff Goldfarb, Board of Directors Immediate Past Chair when introducing the 2018 awards presentation, “they put their trust into JVS Toronto. Whether a client or employer committed to using our services, or a volunteer willing to contribute their time, I thank each of you for instilling your trust in us.”

Congratulations to our 2018 AGM Award winners.

L to R: Kim Coulter, Nicole Diamond, Bianca Johnson, Nancy Freedman

Bianca Johnson – Freedman Family Award for Young Entrepreneurs

This award recognizes a young entrepreneur who has completed one of JVS Toronto’s youth entrepreneurship programs, and successfully operating a full-time or a part-time basis business.

Bianca, a young entrepreneur and mother of two young children gained knowledge from JVS Toronto’s Summer Company program to start a business called Spike it Up offering alcohol-infused desserts. Challenged the rules and regulations to prepare her desserts in a commercial kitchen, Bianca rented time in a local commercial kitchen shuttling her equipment and ingredients to and from this kitchen every time she baked her stock. Undaunted, Bianca’s passion and hard work steadily grew Spike It Up. She recently opened her first retail location in Scarborough and arranged order delivery through UberEats and Skip the Dishes.

EMETemployment client – Betty Skolnik Award for Emerging Professionals

This award goes to a young professional new to their career with a promising future in their chosen field

In his 20s, this client’s career dream was to work in accounting without settling for anything less than his education and abilities deserved, but wasn’t sure what to do. Accessing EMETemployment, the client learned how to create an effective resume, mastered job interviews, knew how to work with corporate recruiters, and utilized tips on how to stand out among other candidates. As a result, the client accepted and moved through three progressive full-time bookkeeping positions. By diligently building knowledge and skills in full cycle bookkeeping and reporting, the client recently started a new position he found through EMETemployment, as an accountant in a large, multi-location business. The client is now moving confidentially into the future.

L to R: Kim Coulter, Bill Skolnik, Maulik Pokiya, Avi Pollock

Maulik Pokiya – Joseph Skolnik Award for New Canadian

This award recognizes a JVS Toronto newcomer client who has successfully integrated into Canadian society.

When Maulik arrived in Canada in March 2018 from India, he was feeling uncertain about finding work as a software developer in a new country. Accessing Job Search Workshop for Newcomers, Maulik attended workshops and received coaching on conducting a job search in Canada. With a resume targeted to the Canadian labour market, Maulik accepted a full-time permanent position as a software developer with a healthy salary and benefits, and has successfully pass his three-month probation period.

L to R: David Berger, Kim Coulter, Faith Rockburn, Prabhas Jha

Faith Rockburn – Berger Family Inspirational Award

This award recognizes the achievements, personal perseverance, and contribution a JVS Toronto client with a disability has made to the community.

Faith, a former nurse and insurance industry manager, had not worked full-time for 16 years due to mental illness. Through the support of JVS Toronto’s Employment Source Toronto Centre, Faith was able to use her growing public speaking experience on mental health to target positions where she could provide peer-based support to help those in need. Today, Faith is happily working as a Peer Support Specialist at an urban hospital helping people transition from homelessness to secure housing. Faith is thriving in her new role and has gained a stronger belief in herself and in community organizations like JVS Toronto.

Canadian National Exhibition Association (CNE) – Eunice & David Mouckley Employer of the Year Award

L to R: Jeff Mouckley, Kim Coulter, Marvin Zweig, Jean-marc Valmont, Joanne Benerowski, Olivia Barreyre, Thomas Lister, Joe Dale

This award recognizes a JVS Toronto employer who has worked with us for more than one year and has provided special initiatives for clients with barriers to employment, such as language, culture, disability, or lack of updated skills.

During her time volunteering at JVS Toronto’s Employment Source downtown, Barbara created job search tools to assist Employment Counsellors, such as occupation-specific interview questions and competency modules, and conducting other employment-based research.She supported team members by helping clients in the resource area ensuring that they moved forward in their job search.An excellent volunteer ambassador for JVS Toronto, Barbara’s willingness to take on assignments and her ease and kindness with clients is commendable.

Andreea Andrei – Manny Mitchell Award for Excellence in Volunteerism

L to R: Wendy Glaser, Kim Coulter, Andreea Andrei, Paul Habert

Andreea has been an extremely helpful part of the Employment Source Scarborough team for four years. Repeatedly, Andreea is flexible with her time schedule and often comes in on unscheduled days when she knows she can assist the Scarborough team. She has become well versed in the services offered in Scarborough as well as the programs offered across all JVS Toronto locations. She is always willing to assist clients in the resource area and support the front desk staff with any task. With her organizational skills, can-do attitude and helpful personality, Andreea is an integrated member of Scarborough team, who miss her when she’s not in.