January

In January we celebrated Steven H’s 10-year employment milestone at Walmart!

Steven, a graduate of Project SEARCH (Class of 2014), has spent the last decade growing his skills, taking on new responsibilities, and building a meaningful career. His dedication and contributions make him a valued member of the Walmart team, and an inspiring example of what’s possible through commitment and opportunity.

SCE LifeWorks also enrolled Sean McEwen from RealEyes Capacity to provide foundational supported employment training to many of our team members.

February

February was a month filled with connection, opportunity, and celebration. We kicked things off with our very first online Reverse Job Fair, showcasing incredible candidates eager to join the workforce.

We also hosted the Project SEARCH interview and assessment day for applying candidates, opening doors for future success.

We proudly sponsored The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce luncheon, creating a unique opportunity for job seekers to network and build relationships over lunch.

Later in the month, Project SEARCH Winnipeg was featured in the Winnipeg Free Press, highlighting the proven impact and growing reach of Project SEARCH in transforming school-to-work transition for youth with developmental disabilities, as well as impact in the workplace.

We also celebrated individual success stories like Julia P at The Winnipeg Foundation stepped into an expanded role, and Kirby K at Feast Café Bistro marked his six-month review with great progress.

March

March was a month of recognition, awareness, and meaningful connections. We proudly celebrated Haley Hyndman, an Individualized Support Service team member, who was recognized on International Women’s Day as an outstanding Manitoban, a testament to her dedication and impact in the community.

We also observed Neurodiversity Awareness Week, sharing knowledge and resources to foster understanding and inclusion in workplaces and beyond.

Another highlight was celebrating Bryce L’s five-year anniversary with The Winnipeg Foundation, marking a significant milestone in his career journey.

Adding to the excitement, Project SEARCH student Evan E, from the Manitoba Hydro/Government of Manitoba site, had the incredible opportunity to meet Premier Wab Kinew and Ministers Sala and Fontaine, a powerful moment that underscores the importance of advocacy and integration for individuals with diverse abilities.

Finally, we took time to recognize and thank our Community Service Workers and EAPD Vocational Counsellors, our valued system partners, for the essential work they do every day to support individuals and create pathways to success.

April

April was a month of celebration and community engagement. We were thrilled for Jessica H having her poetry book displayed at the HSC Winnipeg Volunteer Services, a true testament to her talent and creativity.

We also took time to express our heartfelt gratitude to our volunteer Board of Directors. Their dedication and guidance are integral to the success of our ongoing work, and we deeply appreciate everything they do to support our mission.

In addition, a group from our team attended the Autism Awareness afternoon with the Manitoba Moose. It was a wonderful opportunity to show support, raise awareness, and connect with the community in a meaningful way.

May

In May, we were proud to attend the Manitoba Child Care Association’s annual conference, where we hosted a booth and connected with many passionate professionals in the field.

We also celebrated Hannah T, a Project SEARCH student who was featured by HSC Winnipeg during Manitoba Access Awareness Week and National AccessAbility Week. Her story is an inspiring reminder of the importance of inclusion and accessibility in our community. You can read the details here.

June

June was a month filled with celebration and recognition. We welcomed Minister Bernadette Smith and Deputy Minister Charlene Paquin to the Project SEARCH site at HSC Winnipeg, highlighting the importance of inclusive employment opportunities.

Our Annual General Meeting was a showcase of creativity and achievement. Artwork by Zacura C graced the cover of our AGM materials, and we featured Jared M’s inspiring SKIP story during the event.

We proudly recognized outstanding contributions across our organization. Congratulations to Ashley Campbell, Floy Chen, Ciarra LeDressay-Merasty, Alison Moss, Paulina Sanchez, Pamela Terry, and Michaell Zapata for receiving Awards of Excellence. A special acknowledgment goes to Dawn Jolly, recipient of the Ann M. Zebrowski Award for Excellence, presented to an Individualized Support Worker who exemplifies excellence and nominated by peers.

We also celebrated milestones of service:

• 5 years: Teresa Bailey, Jillian Beauchemin, Andrea Villeneuve
• 10 years: Kelly Kaufman, Grace Ogunniyi, Susana Salazar, Nicole Schwartz, Lynne Shillinglaw, Samantha Villeneuve, and Samantha Way
• 15 years: Elena Farace and Shane Dailey
• 30 years: Robyn Rempel, Ann Kupfer, and Oly Backstrom

SCE LifeWorks’ team members Jody Stanton. and Samantha Way. proudly represented SCE LifeWorks while attending the Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE) annual national conference in Moncton N.B.

Finally, we were thrilled to celebrate the graduations of both Project SEARCH cohorts – Manitoba Hydro/Government of Manitoba and HSC Winnipeg. Almost all graduates from 2025 are now employed, a testament to everyone’s hard work and determination!

July

July was an exciting and busy month for our Summer Work Exposure Program including students and team! This program provides high school students with developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in a seven-week community-based work experience. This program provides the chance to learn new skills, build confidence and display abilities. A big thank you to our Summer Work Exposure Leads and to Katie, our Coordinator, who returned to manage another successful program. We also appreciate the incredible efforts of Alyssa, Brooke, and Zoey, our fantastic coaches, for making this summer experience so impactful.

We celebrated two amazing milestones—congratulations to Mary McInnes and Brenda Deamel on reaching 10 years of dedicated service!

It was also inspiring to see David J, a Project SEARCH alumnus, and Jody Stanton volunteering at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, showcasing the spirit of community and engagement.

August

August brought big changes and celebrations. We said a heartfelt goodbye to Lana Hamilton (big cry!), while also celebrating exciting promotions – congratulations to Kailey Bilodeau on becoming Manager of Supported Employment Services and to Tyler Waldbauer on stepping into the Team Lead role.

The Summer Work Exposure program wrapped up in style with a picnic in the park, a perfect way to celebrate the hard work and success of the team throughout the season.

September

September marked the start of another incredible year for Project SEARCHwhich includes a few big milestones: a fifteen year milestone for the first Project SEARCH in Canada in partnership with site hosts Manitoba Hydro and Government of Manitoba, and a ten year milestone for the Project SEARCH site at HSC Winnipeg! We’re excited to continue building opportunities and success stories with this amazing program. We’re also proud to influence school-to-work transition practices nationally, with 27 Project SEARCH sites in Ontario and one Project SEARCH site in PEI.

We also celebrated Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, shining a spotlight on Michaell, Nicole C, Alan, Donna, Yesica, and Krystal for their dedication and impact.

A special moment this month was welcoming Allan Danroth, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro, to visit the Project SEARCH classrooms at the Manitoba Hydro/Government of Manitoba site. His visit underscores the strong partnerships that make this program thrive.

SCE LifeWorks launched our most ambitious staff development training initiative to date, engaging Angela Hoyt and Evolution Group to deliver Optimize Employer Engagement training for team members, alongside leadership training for our Service Managers, Team Leads, and CEO. This multi-phase training initiative will continue well into 2026.

To honour Orange Shirt Day, our team proudly wore custom SCE LifeWorks shirts featuring a powerful design created by Zacura C. On September 30, we walked together in solidarity, reflecting on the importance of truth and reconciliation.

October

October was a month full of celebration and recognition during Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM). We featured inspiring profiles on Henri, Nicholas, Isaac, Tim, Hans, Rusty, and Jeff, who together represent over 70 years of combined dedication to the workforce.

We were thrilled to celebrate our employer partners, with Feast Café Bistro and Duracan nominated for the Manitoba Supported Employment Network (MSEN) Supported Employment Awards and a big congratulations to Feast for winning their category! SCE LifeWorks was proud to sponsor and coordinate this Awards event in partnership with MSEN.

Take Your MLA to Work Day was another highlight, featuring FoodFare with MLA Lisa Naylor alongside Robert and Superstore, with Jelynn Dela Cruz and Jordan, showcasing the value of inclusive employment. SCE LifeWorks once again took the lead in organizing “Take Your MLA To Work Day” on behalf of MSEN and partnering supported employment service providers throughout Manitoba. This endeavour enrols our elected representatives to celebrate employment inclusion success stories throughout the province during DEAM.

SCE LifeWorks was pleased to engage Dr. Al Condeluci, a leading North American expert on social capital, for a staff development opportunity with our team.

Finally, we celebrated a major milestone with Alison Moss on her 25th Work Anniversary!

November

November was another month of celebration and recognition. We were proud to honour Patrick Falconer as our Impact Award Winner, recognizing his outstanding contributions.

Congratulations to our Personal Achievement Award Winners – Gemma, Dawson, and Lorraine. We were thrilled to celebrate your accomplishments and the dedication you bring to our community.

We also recognized the incredible support of our business partners—The Winnipeg Foundation, Misericordia Terrace, and Duracan—whose commitment to inclusion continues to build a stronger, more connected community.

In addition, we celebrated Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, featuring some of our talented artists and their creative work, highlighting the importance of representation and cultural expression.

December

December was a time for celebration and reflection as we gathered as a team to enjoy the holiday season together.

The Honourable Nahanni Fontaine, Minister for Families, toured Project SEARCH HSC Winnipeg, meeting with current interns, team members, and hospital administration to celebrate the shared accomplishments of interns, graduates, staff, and the hospital.

We were thrilled to cheer on Nicole Schwartz, winner of the Art Ratson Memorial Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions.

A special shout-out to Jared M, who showcased incredible leadership as Master of Ceremonies and Event Coordinator at the Able to Adapt event for SKIP.

Finally, we shared a soft goodbye to the amazing Brenda Deamel, whose impact will be long remembered, and gave a warm welcome to Liz Allen as she joins our team.