Kickstarting career success with Isaiah and Annie
Holland Bloorview’s Employment Pathways programs connect youth with disabilities to the world of work. Our programming starts with self-discovery through Youth@Work and VolunteerABLE, where youth get hands-on work experience at our hospital to explore their skills, passions and areas for growth in the workplace. Youth and their families can then join our Employment Action Coaching (EAC) program to develop a personalized plan to achieve their employment goals. And in our Ready to Work program, we match youth with paid employment opportunities and help set them and their employers up for successful employment.
We work in collaboration with youth, families, schools, community partners and businesses. Our evidence-informed, stepwise approach builds skills, confidence and lifelong participation in the labour market.
Isaiah’s Story
In June 2024, Isaiah got his first summer job with the international chemistry company, BASF.
“The best part was meeting new people, working with others and getting a variety of different tasks to do,” he reflects.
Isaiah worked at BASF’s Toronto Site, a manufacturing, distribution and training centre. BASF has partnered with Holland Bloorview’s Ready to Work program since 2022 to offer summer work experiences. Occupational therapist Julia worked with Isaiah and BASF staff to adapt general safety and task training to Isaiah’s learning style.
Isaiah used Wheel-Trans to get to work and gained confidence giving directions to drivers and arranging rides.
“I also learned that setting alarms in my phone helps me follow my schedule and stay on track,” Isaiah said.
BASF enjoyed mentoring a young worker and found that having a summer placement student moved lots of projects forward.
"Working with Isaiah this summer was a truly rewarding experience for all of us at the Toronto Site," said Tom Vandemoortele, BASF Canada's Toronto Site Manager. "He brought a new perspective and inspired us with his resilience and creativity. This experience has reinforced our commitment to inclusivity, demonstrating that by embracing diverse abilities, we can continue to foster a more innovative and dynamic environment where everyone can thrive."
Isaiah hopes to translate these experiences to a year-round job and will work with Julia to connect with an employment agency that supports adult job seekers with disabilities.
“When organizations like BASF collaborate with us to hire youth for their first paid summer jobs, they literally transform lives,” says Carolyn McDougall, manager, Employment Pathways at Holland Bloorview. “These foundational experiences set youth up for success.”
Annie’s Story
Annie joined Holland Bloorview’s Youth@Work program in 2023. During her 40 hours of volunteer experience service, she discovered a preference for customer service and clerical roles, so when participating in the EAC program with her family, Annie shared her hope to enter a college culinary program once she graduates high school.
To help her learn more about the field, Annie participated in the Ready to Work program. With a goal of exploring the feasibility of working in the culinary field given her physical considerations, she eagerly accepted a paid summer job with Lane Four Consulting.
Holland Bloorview occupational therapist Laura joined Annie on her first few shifts with her supervisor, Chef/Registered Dietician Danielle, to analyze how kitchen tasks are performed and set-up for safety and job performance.
In addition to growing her culinary skills, Annie noticed a change in her skills such as “speaking with my supervisor and meeting and communicating with new colleagues, like at lunch or casually in the kitchen.”
Danielle was a generous mentor, sharing information about the demands of working in a professional kitchen and teaching techniques. The entire Lane Four team enjoyed Annie’s presence.
“Annie was always eager to learn something new, which made her a joy to work with,” says Danielle. “Collaborating with the Ready to Work program has been a great opportunity for Lane Four to demonstrate their value of, and commitment to, a diverse and inclusive workplace."
Annie now plans to gain more experience and further explore this potential career. She’s already registered for a co-op at her high school and is taking a high school/college dual credit program in baking.
