On June 1st the Durham Region Employment Network (DREN) held the 9th Annual EmployABILITY Awards Gala at the Tosca Banquet Hall in Oshawa. This very special event celebrates employment success for persons with disabilities and recognizes employers and organizations who help remove employment barriers.
The evening featured singer-song writer Justin Hines, local television host and community leader Garth Riley, CTV News personality Ken Shaw and an address from The Honorable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community and Social Services for Ontario. Ten employees were recognized as nominees for an EmployABILITY award along with their employer and employment agency. The three winners chosen for overcoming barriers to gain employment were: Robert (Bob) Hill working with Northern Lights Canada and employed by Tim Hortons, Brooklin; Jordan Hill working with Northern Lights Canada and employed by Home Depot, Pickering; and Reanna Lucas working with Northern Lights Canada and employed by LW Stores, Ajax.
Other significant awards presented were:
Innovation Awards presented to Tutorwiz Education Centre and Durham College’s Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) Program
A Volunteer Citizenship Award presented to Grant Hedges, a volunteer with The Participation House Project Durham Region
A Media Award presented to Ian McMillan of Oshawa this Week
Six Region of Durham Accessibility Awards presented to six deserving recipients for achievements of accessibility to: The Dark Horse Art Gallery (Brock), Frenchman's Bay Yacht Club (Pickering), Grandview Children's Centre (Oshawa), Linos Vino (Whitby), Municipality of Clarington and Port Perry Canadian Tire.
