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, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, hard of hearing and visual impairment. We serve Halton, Peel and the Waterloo 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 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/Kitchener region since 1998. She has played a key role in the development of employment and self-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. 
Julie Carswell
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. 
Daniel Wong
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 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. 
Susan Westwater
Susan joins the team after a distinguished career as a teacher within the Peel Board of Education. Susan has her Bachelors of Education from Queens University. She is a Specialist in Special Education from the University of Toronto and has a number of additional qualifications to her credit. Susan has a proven ability to guide, coach and communicate successfully with individuals of various skills and abilities. Susan has experience in goal setting, career planning, coaching, mentoring and guiding individuals to reach their goals. Her drive, energy and desire to make a difference makes her a marvelous case manager and job developer for those looking to return to work. |
Carolyn Holmes
Operations Manager Carolyn has over 15 years experience in event planning and project management, specializing in charity and not for profit events. For 10 years Carolyn has directed the not for profit charity Luke’s Legacy in support of SickKids Hospital Cardiac Critical Care Unit. Carolyn’s gifts of organization, attention to detail and contagious enthusiasm have earned her a reputation for unparalleled excellence. Her ability to manage large projects, be forward looking, build community connections and still have the ability to follow through on the fine details are all extremely helpful to our clients, team and organization. Carolyn excels at managing the operations of the Job Centre. 
Sue Graham
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. Sue also coaches and assists clients during the retention stage of their employment. She is skilled at collaboration with all stakeholders in the employment cycle. 
Tom Saratsiotis
Tom has over 20 years experience as an employment counsellor, job coach and job developer. In addition to Tom’s expertise in job development and case management, he 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. 
Salim Rashid
Salim joins the Job Centre team with over five years of Job Development experience. He is skilled at building relationships with both employers and candidates to find an employment match. He uses a variety of techniques to successful place clients including tapping into existing contacts, networking, job fairs, completing online applications and cold calling. Through Employment Ontario and the Youth Job Connect Program, Salim has assisted over 500 candidates to find employment. Salim is also very tech savvy and experienced in salesforce, twilio, zapier, slack, and google documents. 
Alf Garcia
Alf comes to the team with a Diploma in Social Service Work. His background is varied in the social services field which includes experiences as an educational assistant, youth worker and respite care worker. Alf has a strong respect and understanding for individual differences and values, as demonstrated through his coaching in the Kids Ability Program. His superior interpersonal skills, knack for collaboration and ability to manage multiple priorities are a tremendous asset to the team and clients of the Job Centre. |
