SCE Lifeworks

Congratulations to Grace Ogunniyi who is celebrating her ten year anniversary working with SCE LifeWorks today! Grace is one of our hard working and dedicated Individualized Support Workers. Grace was a recipient of our Award for Excellence in 2020 for the exceptional and creative support she provided during the pandemic--and that great work continues. We're lucky to work with you Grace--thank you for your ongoing service!

Just a reminder that our office will be closed and we will not be providing service on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. , , ,

Thank you Allan Danroth, President & CEO of Manitoba Hydro (top, centre) for visiting the Project SEARCH students and team in their classroom (embedded in Manitoba Hydro HQ) during their orientation! The students had excellent questions for Mr. Danroth, and he provided great tips for employment success as well.

September 23 is International Day of Sign Languages. Did you know that Canada uses two common sign languages?

American Sign Language (ASL) which is used in Anglophone communities and Langue des Signes Québécoise (LSQ) which is used in Francophone communities.

Today is the first day of International Week of Deaf People. .

Visit https://wfdeaf.org/iwdeaf2024/ to find out more about the different topics every day this week.

Happy 5th work anniversary Jill Beauchemin! Jill is one of our terrific Employment Consultants who also plays a key role as co-lead for our Summer Work Exposure Program for high school students. Jill's also a past Award for Excellence recipient for the great service she provides for the people she supports. Jill is also actively involved with Alliance of Direct Support Professionals of Manitoba- ADSPM as their Treasurer. We're lucky to have Jill on our team. Join us in congratulating Jill!

Happy Autumn Equinox. Enjoy the first day of Fall!

We are wrapping up Direct Support Professional Recognition Week by shining a spotlight on one of our amazing Individualized Support Workers (and Award for Excellence recipients), Landon Erb.
Did you know that Individualized Support Workers make up nearly half of our dedicated team? They provide personalized, community-based, one-on-one support for individuals with significant needs, tailoring their assistance to each person’s unique situation.
Their role is crucial in fostering independence, helping individuals build meaningful relationships, develop valued roles and fully engage in their communities. By offering flexible and compassionate support, Individualized Support Workers help people achieve their personal goals and enhance their overall quality of life.
Let’s get to know Landon a bit better!

SCE LifeWorks: How long have you worked with SCE LifeWorks?
Landon: A little over two years now

SCE LifeWorks: What do you love about your job?
Landon: I love sharing in life with the guys I support. Learning what makes them laugh and engaging with their interests. Even small pleasures like a stroll in the park make me grateful to spend my days with them.

SCE LifeWorks: Why is your job important?
Landon: My job is important because I really know and understand the people I supports needs and desires. Being able to advocate for them and assist in pursue opportunities they may not be able to on their own.

SCE LifeWorks: Tell us something we might not know about you?
Landon: I am making a Sumo wrestling board game in my spare time.

Thank you for your excellent service, Landon! We will keep our eye out for that board game.
We extend our deepest and ongoing gratitude to all the incredible Direct Support Professionals we’re fortunate to work with. You are the true difference-makers and champions. Keep being amazing!

Congratulations Matt Davis, one of our terrific Employment Consultants! Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!

To celebrate Direct Support Professionals Week, we asked all membered organizations to nominate DSPs they felt go above and beyond to make a difference for people in their community.

Todays DSP of Distinction Award goes to Matt Davis from SCE Lifeworks.

"Matt supports people to see their full
potential, often providing feedback to enhance
opportunity for personal and professional growth and to build independence. He is a strong role model, always carrying himself with professionalism. Matt’s dedication supporting people in achieving their goals comes across in each interaction he has.”

Congratulations Matt!

Thank you Minister Nahanni Fontaine for celebrating Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, and for honouring direct support professionals from a number of organizations by lending your time and your ear to them today.
We were proud to have Alan Morgan (who celebrated his 29th anniversary with SCE LifeWorks yesterday!) to represent SCE LifeWorks Direct Support Professionals around Minister Fontaine's table.

On day four of Direct Support Professional Recognition week, we feature one of our terrific Job Coaches, Sonia Diaz!
Sonia and the rest of our Job Coaches work throughout the city, providing individualized and tailored support for different clients with their employment and other valued roles throughout the week.

Our Job Coaches carefully adapt their approach to fit each client, situation, and environment—always striving to provide just enough support without overstepping. Their ultimate goal is to foster independence and help build meaningful relationships (and natural supports) within the community.

It’s an artful balance between knowing when to step in and when to 'step back'—allowing each person to truly flourish. Sonia excels at this! Let's take a moment to get to know her better.

SCE LifeWorks: How long have you worked with us?
Sonia: I have been working for SCE Lifeworks for one year and two months.

SCE LifeWorks: What do you love about your job?
Sonia: I can say that it has changed my life. I love serving my participants. They are one of my motivations every day because thanks to them I have learned to be more sensitive to the needs of others, to enjoy the simple things, to challenge myself to improve my communication skills; in other words, they have been my teachers. Additionally, I feel blessed to have an incredible work team. I have found support, trust, good relationships and professionalism.

SCE LifeWorks: Why is your job important?
Sonia: I believe that my work has been important because I have been able to apply my knowledge and experience as a speech therapist in the life of each of the participants I support.

SCE LifeWorks: Tell us something we might not know about you!
Sonia: I have always liked sports. I was a basketball player for more than 10 years. Later I was a runner and participated in four half marathons. My passion at home is baking, especially vegan pastries.

Thank you for the great job you do, Sonia! Thanks to all of our Job Coaches, and all of our Direct Support Professionals!

On day three of celebrating Direct Support Worker Professional Recognition Week, we feature one of our great Project SEARCH Skills Trainers, Romy Davalos.

Project SEARCH Skills Trainers work closely with the Project SEARCH Teacher, two other Skills Trainers, and a cohort of twelve students at a Project SEARCH site from September to June. In Romy’s case, the co-hosting sites are Manitoba Hydro and the Government of Manitoba. The primary role of the Skills Trainers is to help students develop job skills through three distinct work experiences or internships throughout the program year. This involves understanding each student’s unique learning style, tailoring their work experiences, analyzing job tasks, and assessing the workplace environment and culture. Skills Trainers also develop and implement individualized training plans, introduce new tasks and skills as students progress, and foster trusting relationships with students and site supervisors.
As part of a tightly knit team, Skills Trainers collaborate with Teachers and each other, often stepping in to cover responsibilities as needed. These are exciting, dynamic roles with significant impact on the lives of the people served.

Let's get to know Romy a bit better!

SCE LifeWorks: How long have you worked with SCE LifeWorks?
Romy: I started working with SCE Lifeworks on January 04, 2022.

SCE LifeWorks: What do you love about your job?
Romy: I love my job because helping others is important to me. It's my mission in life. Whenever I provide a service, I try to make it special and unique. My work provides me with a strong sense of purpose and meaning, as I am directly contributing to the well-being and quality of life of others.

SCE LifeWorks: Why is your job important?
Romy: My job is important because supporting people with disabilities gives me a lot of satisfaction. I know that by helping others, I am making a positive impact on their lives. Also, working as a direct support professional provides me with rewarding and challenging experiences and opportunities for personal growth and professional development.

SCE LifeWorks: Tell us something about yourself that people might not know!
Romy: I am energetic, I like jokes, I like to make friends everywhere I go, and I also like baking and painting.

Thank you for your wonderful service, Romy! Thanks to all of our Project SEARCH Skills Trainers and all of our Direct Support Professionals!

We’re continuing our celebration of Direct Support Professional Recognition Week by highlighting one of our dedicated Employment Consultants, Matthew Davis.

Employment Consultants play a crucial role in supporting individuals throughout their employment journey. On any given day, they might be helping jobseekers discover their interests and talents, collaborating on resumes, assisting with job development, conducting interview practice, offering support during interviews, providing bus training for new jobs, training clients as they start their positions, building natural workplace supports, and offering ongoing follow-up assistance.

It’s a dynamic and rewarding job with plenty of variety and challenges! We’re excited to introduce Matt, one of our exceptional team members.

SCE LifeWorks: How long have you worked here?
Matt: about 15.5 months (did we mention he's precise?)

SCE LifeWork: What do you love about your job?
Matt: I love being able to work one on one with participants, forming relationships and seeing the personal growth in these individuals.

SCE LifeWorks: Why is your job important?
Matt: My job is important to not only aide individuals in finding employment and gaining financial stability, but also providing participants with a professional relationship as many of the people we work with lack the opportunity for social interaction.

SCE LifeWorks: Tell us something that we might not know about you!
Matt: I have played acoustic and electric guitar since high school.

Matt, thank you for your service! Thanks to all of our Employment Consultants and Direct Support Professionals!

Congratulations Myles! Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!

To celebrate Direct Support Professionals Week, we asked all membered organizations to nominate DSPs they felt go above and beyond to make a difference for people in their community.

Our first DSP of Distinction Award goes to Myles Davis from SCE Lifeworks.

"Myles ensures all environments are inclusive and
supports all those around him to participate and
engage in conversations with the gentlemen he
supports, despite communication barriers. Myles is not intimidated to stand up for what is right. He
has faced many challenges while dealing with
Transit Plus on behalf of those he supports. Myles
has gone above and beyond to advocate for safe
travel for both gentlemen he supports”.

Congratulations Myles!

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week! This week, we celebrate the important and diverse contributions of all direct support professionals, including a large number of our employees—such as Individualized Support Workers, Retirement Services Workers, Job Coaches, Project SEARCH Skills Trainers, and Employment Consultants. These dedicated professionals are at the heart of our day-to-day services, working directly with the individuals we support. Through their efforts, our Mission comes to life as they help people develop valued roles and become fully engaged members of inclusive communities.
This week we will be featuring profiles of five of our terrific direct support professionals, starting with one of our Individualized Support Workers, Karla Sanchez!
SCE LifeWorks: Karla, how long have you worked with SCE LifeWorks?
Karla: One year and ten months.
SCE LifeWorks: What do you love about your job?
Karla: I love the opportunity to learn from amazing people, staff and clients with special needs had taught me a lot. They inspire me to be a better person.
SCE LifeWorks: Why is your job important?
Karla: The fact that people with different disabilities are able to work and live and do all the things that any other person would do, thanks to the support we give.
SCE LifeWorks: Tell us something that others might not know about you!
Karla: that I am Mexican, I was a newspaper reporter, and then I changed careers and went to med school because I like to be able to help people (hands on).
Thank you for sharing part of your story, Karla, and thank you for your ongoing dedication and great work!

Today marks a remarkable milestone for Robyn Rempel, who has dedicated 30 years to SCE LifeWorks! As one of our committed Coordinators in Individualized Support Services, Robyn leads a team of Individualized Support Workers, helping numerous individuals engage in valued roles and activities within the community.
For three decades, Robyn has tirelessly worked to improve the lives and outcomes of those she serves. Ann Kupfer, Manager of Individualized Support Services, shares her thoughts on Robyn's immense contributions:: “Throughout her time with SCE LifeWorks, Robyn has formed positive relationships with those she supports and their support networks and never shies away from the opportunity to advocate for people. Robyn is passionate about standing up for the rights of others and has spoken up time and again for and with people. Robyn has trained countless staff in SCE LifeWorks philosophy and has helped staff develop new skills as they support people of all abilities. Robyn works to support people in the community and is always keeping an eye out for new opportunities for the people she supports. Robyn is a vital member of the Coordinator Team in ISS and works with the team to meet the immediate and long-term needs of Individualized Support Services. She freely shares her knowledge and helps her teammates work through problem solving.
Congratulations Robyn on 30 years with SCE LifeWorks, helping others understand the value of all people and helping us all be better in unwrapping the gifts each other has.”
Thank you for your ongoing commitment, and congratulations on this incredible milestone, Robyn!

Today was an exciting, nervous and ultimately wonderful day - today was the first day for the 2024-2025 students at both Project SEARCH sites in Winnipeg (both at HSC_Winnipeg site as well as at the Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Government site)!
Congratulations students, your first day is behind you! All the best to you with your Project SEARCH year!
Good luck Project SEARCH teams!

Tickets are on sale now! Join us on November 7 at 7 pm to celebrate our incredible community.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/sce-lifeworks-inc/events/come-together/

Congratulations to Ann Kupfer on 30 Years with SCE LifeWorks!

Today, we’re celebrating Ann’s incredible 30-year journey with us! Starting as an Individualized Support Worker, Ann quickly moved into a Coordinator role before becoming the Manager of Individualized Support Services—a position she’s held with dedication for over two decades.

Ann’s deep commitment to the well-being of those we serve, both in Individualized Support Services and Retirement Services, shines through in everything she does. She is a passionate advocate, working tirelessly with our Coordinator team to ensure that every person we support receives the best care as we implement their person-centered, community-based plans.
One of Ann’s many strengths is her talent for hiring outstanding employees who match the needs, personalities, and interests of those we serve. Her dedication and skill have made a lasting impact on our organization and the lives of countless individuals.

From one colleague: “Ann goes above and beyond for her team. She recognizes all our gifts and is able to assign tasks that work for the team to ensure we are each valued in our roles. I have learned so much from her throughout our years together. She is kind, compassionate and a strong advocate for the people we serve. He grace and support to me over the past year while I lost both my parents was above and beyond and is just an example of the truly extraordinary person that she is. I forever will be a better person for all I have learned from her professionally and personally. Ann's ability to problem-solve is outstanding.”
Another colleague said “Ann is approachable, always available for any questions or to just talk things through, funny and represents the SCE LifeWorks philosophy well!”
Oly Backstrom, CEO, chimes in: "Ann has been a rock solid presence as one of our leaders and as Manager of Individualized Support Services. There are a lot of things I could say, but the fact that she has retained a long-standing team of talented Coordinators is a testament to the the respect, trust and support the team feels from Ann. I am grateful to have worked with Ann over the last three decades".

Thank you, Ann, for your 30 years of service and for being such an integral part of the SCE LifeWorks team! 🎉

A reminder that the office will be closed and we will not be providing service for September 2, 2024.

It's a wrap for our Summer Work Exposure Program for high school students! The recent picnic and presentation at Kildonan Park were a huge success. A special thank you goes to the students, families, and staff who came out to help celebrate.

Congratulations to all the hardworking students who will be returning to high school and those who will be attending either of our Project SEARCH locations in the fall for completing the seven-week work rotation.

We are grateful to our Summer Work Exposure Team: Katie (Coordinator), Job Coaches Emma, Morgan, and Scott, and Team Leads Jill and Matthew, who made this a wonderful experience.

Thank you to all of our participating businesses for hosting students in their work experiences over the summer.

SCE LifeWorks has offered the Summer Work Exposure Program annually for over 20 years, providing a great opportunity for students ages 16–20 to gain valuable work experience or paid employment in supported work placements.

Last year, we chose to Come Together and have an epic celebration of the people and businesses doing good work in our community.

The good news is we are doing it again! Save the date for our event happening at WAG-Qaumajuq on November 7, 2024.

Tickets go on sale on September 1, 2024. We hope to see you there.

Wow, congratulations Courtney Sawyer! Amazing! 👏👏👏

We at SCE LifeWorks are thrilled to celebrate President and CEO Oly Backstrom on his 30th anniversary as an employee with the organization. As a tireless advocate and educator, Oly is dedicated to fostering a vision and belief in the potential of individuals with developmental disabilities. His commitment to removing employment barriers has significantly impacted the journey to success and satisfaction for many young Manitobans. Congratulations, Oly!

A reminder that our office will be closed and we will not be providng service on August 5, 2024.