About Us
The Job Centre has over 20 years of experience providing a range of employment supports to youth and adults with physical, mental health or developmental disabilities in the Central Region of Ontario. The geographic scope of our service include the Halton and Peel Regions along with the Municipality of Waterloo and Dufferin Regions.
We have earned an excellent reputation and confidence of the community as a provider of high-quality employment and self-employment services for people with disabilities. Using a personalized approach, we assist people with disabilities to acquire the necessary tools for career success.
The Job Centre is committed to working with community partners and funders to enhance service opportunities for clients. The Job Centre strategically partners with the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Workers Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), The Centre for Skills Development and Training, Sheridan College and The YMCA on employment initiatives for persons with disabilities.
The Job Centre has job developers who are well networked with employers. We have implemented a job developing team approach to effectively service Central Ontario Region for placing clients in jobs. We have committed and experienced co-ordinators, job coaches, transit trainers, ASL interpreters and special supports people.
Our Employment Case Managers work one on one with clients by supporting them in their job search and beyond. A Case Manager is assigned to each client in order to assist with resume’s, employment planning, interview preparation and success in the workplace. This builds rapport, trust and respect which enables clients to secure a job and keep the job. Once working, our certified licensed Job Coaches provide assistance on the job and offer behind the scenes support when necessary.
The founders of the organization co-wrote The 10 Essentials to Get That Job, A Guidebook for Persons with DisAbilities, which was produced in large print, French, audio cassette and on CD. We have also been the proud recipient of the “Caring Community Award” presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association for significant contributions to the promotion of mental health in the Region of Peel.
We have earned an excellent reputation and confidence of the community as a provider of high-quality employment and self-employment services for people with disabilities. Using a personalized approach, we assist people with disabilities to acquire the necessary tools for career success.
The Job Centre is committed to working with community partners and funders to enhance service opportunities for clients. The Job Centre strategically partners with the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Workers Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), The Centre for Skills Development and Training, Sheridan College and The YMCA on employment initiatives for persons with disabilities.
The Job Centre has job developers who are well networked with employers. We have implemented a job developing team approach to effectively service Central Ontario Region for placing clients in jobs. We have committed and experienced co-ordinators, job coaches, transit trainers, ASL interpreters and special supports people.
Our Employment Case Managers work one on one with clients by supporting them in their job search and beyond. A Case Manager is assigned to each client in order to assist with resume’s, employment planning, interview preparation and success in the workplace. This builds rapport, trust and respect which enables clients to secure a job and keep the job. Once working, our certified licensed Job Coaches provide assistance on the job and offer behind the scenes support when necessary.
The founders of the organization co-wrote The 10 Essentials to Get That Job, A Guidebook for Persons with DisAbilities, which was produced in large print, French, audio cassette and on CD. We have also been the proud recipient of the “Caring Community Award” presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association for significant contributions to the promotion of mental health in the Region of Peel.
Our Team
Dawn Braddock: Director
dawn@thejob-centre.ca Dawn has a Business Degree, specializing in Marketing and 20 years as a self-employed corporate trainer. Dawn has been actively involved in supporting persons with disabilities in the Peel/Halton/Dufferin region since 1998. She has played a key role in the development of employment programs in the region and is particularly dedicated to helping clients to obtain and maintain lasting and meaningful employment. Dawn and her partners created employment programs for youth, mature workers and persons with disabilities. In addition, they have written many books on employment and self-employment, of which there are over 100,000 in print. Dawn is passionate about bringing an entrepreneurial approach to the workplace and extending this to her clients. 
Deb Perris debra@thejob-centre.ca Deb comes to us with an impressive background in employment and career development services. She has had an extensive career with the federal government and has operated many successful business ventures. As a devoted Case Manager and Job Developer Deb focuses on assisting individuals with finding their place in the workforce. She has a special talent of building relationships with employers to help meet their labour force needs. Deb has always had a great interest in helping individuals who face special challenges in entering or re-entering the workforce. She has worked extensively with women, newcomers, and people with disabilities which is a tremendous asset to the clients and team at the Job Centre. 
Doug Peter
doug@thejob-centre.ca Doug comes to the Job Centre with an impressive array of skills and expertise spanning many years. His education features a Corporate Communications Post Grad Certificate. He has experience in the training, tutoring and coaching fields in the ‘for profit’ and public sectors. In addition, he has supervisory experience in the corporate world. Doug will draw on his planning and systems background to formulate strategies relating to job paths for clients. 
Tom Saratsiotis
tom@thejob-centre.ca Tom joins the Job Centre with over 15 years’ experience as an employment counsellor, job coach and job developer. In addition to Tom’s expertise in job development and case management, Tom has knowledge of apprenticeships. His impressive background includes Vocational Rehab for WSIB recipients to identify barriers and restrictions to employment and determine employment goals. Tom has a Human Resources Management Certificate as well as a BA in Economics. 
Julie Carswell julie@thejob-centre.ca Julie comes to the team with a significant business background in sales, customer service, promotion and relationship building. Throughout her career she has been recognized for her ability to exceed targets, goals and grow businesses successfully. Her demonstrated ability to problem solve, strategize, follow up, recommend and provide exceptional client care throughout her career is a tremendous asset to the clients at the Job Centre. Julie believes in collaboration, communication and teamwork. She develops rapport quickly, is a bright thinker and assists clients from the first intake session all the way through to job placement and successful employment retention. |
Celeste Babcock: Office Manager/Case Manager/Retention Specialist celeste@thejob-centre.ca Celeste comes to us with an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration including Human Resources. Her business degree and strong organizational skills are key to assisting other team members with paperwork and keeping accounts in order. Her Human Resources degree is a valuable asset as Celeste liaises with our clients after they reach their target of 13 weeks to retain the job and ensure a successful outcome. Celeste's sunny disposition and positive attitude as well as her strong work ethic are evident as she works collaboratively with both clients and employers to identify possible employment barriers and source solutions. 
Sue Graham
sue@thejob-centre.ca Sue has impressive credentials in Human Resource Development, uniquely qualifying her to be an integral part of the Job Centre team. She has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree followed up by her HR Management Diploma and a certificate in Operational Leadership. Sue has applied these exceptional skills to coaching clients during pre and post-employment. She is adept at problem solving, which allows issues to be resolved in a positive way, often rescuing an employment opportunity. Sue successfully case manages clients with disabilities, applying her special skill set and incredible compassionate attitude to increase confidence and get clients on the path to employment. 
Daniel Wong
daniel@thejob-centre.ca Daniel joins the Job Centre team with substantial skills and experience in the employment industry including full cycle recruitment and job development. He has the proven ability to work with and support a diverse clientele at all career stages from entry-level to executive, including youth, local and international students, immigrants and those with employment barriers and disabilities. Daniel is an accomplished job developer and is talented at prospecting new employers and utilizing contacts to secure meaningful employment for our clients. He also provides coaching, job search strategies, goal-setting guidance, resume writing and interview preparation services, and labour market information 
Laura Kirk laura@thejob-centre.ca Laura joins the Job Centre with a Social Service Worker Diploma from Mohawk. She is a seasoned job developer as well as a conscientious case manager. Laura has performed the duties of a Training Specialist, Employment Coordinator and Vocational Support Worker. In addition, Laura will provide self- employment counselling to clients by completing feasibility studies for a proposed potential business idea. 
Narine Sookram
narine@thejob-centre.ca Narine has joined the Job Centre team with the main focus of job development. His strength is in community connections. As a community champion, he has received over 200 awards and citations for his contributions in helping others. Narine’s impressive credentials perfectly qualify him to be an exceptional job developer and career counselor. He has a BA in Human Services, A Job Developing Certificate, Career Development Practitioner, and Bachelor of Social Work. |
