YMCA of Greater Toronto Announces Six GTA Employer Award Recipients at Annual Event
Employer partners celebrated virtually for offering opportunities during COVID-19
Toronto – November 23, 2020 – Last week, the YMCA of Greater Toronto virtually hosted its annual YMCA Employer Recognition Event, celebrating organizations in the Greater Toronto Area for their placement of job seekers through the Y’s employment services and programs.
The Y is thrilled to announce this year’s recipients of the YMCA Employer Appreciation Award as:
- Sana Distributors (Etobicoke)
- Dairy Queen (Richmond Hill / Woodbridge)
- North York DV Issue & Licensing Office (North York)
- SuriGroup Inc. (Durham)
- GSA Professional Corporation (Scarborough)
- Canadian Tire Store #010 - H.A. Robbins Automotive Industries Inc. (Brampton)
Award recipients were selected for:
- hiring participants from various YMCA programs following a placement
- hiring participants from various government-funded programs including Employment Service, Youth Job Connection, Youth Job Connection: Summer, Canada-Ontario Job Grant, and Skills Development for Youth
- working with difficult to place or vulnerable clients furthest removed from the labour market, and/or
- continuing to offer opportunities throughout the pandemic and make any necessary concessions.
“Although the YMCA Employer Recognition Event looked a little different this year, we thought it was extra important to recognize and celebrate our partners,” says Darlene Holowachuk, Senior Vice President, Employment & Community at the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “We congratulate each and every one, and know how important the job opportunities they continue to make available to participants in our program are.”
Employment services at the Y meet diverse needs, supporting people with their job search, whether it's their first job, their first job in Canada, a job or career transition, or seasonal employment. The Y offers essential support to communities with virtual and in person appointments (subject to local health guidelines).
Locations include its recently-relocated Peel Region flagship Employment Services centre in Mississauga at 101-55 City Centre Drive. The centre is equipped with the latest technology including high-speed internet, laptops for client use, a new resource centre, and digital screens. It also has quiet areas to prepare for interviews, meeting rooms, and areas for distanced networking at café tables.
The Y follows all regulations and guidelines from the government and public health officials to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Safety measures in all Employment Services centres include:
- in-person meetings by appointment only
- screening upon arrival
- staff and guests required to wear a face mask or covering (if someone does not have a mask, one will be provided)
- hand sanitizer at entrances
- surfaces sanitized before and after in-person meetings
- physical distancing
- Plexiglas screens at front desks, and
- nightly deep cleans.
To learn more about the Y’s Employment Services or to book an appointment, visit theystepsup.ymcagta.org/find-a-job. To become a participating employer, visit here.
About the YMCA of Greater Toronto
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. For over 165 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services including health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families, and seniors. Serving diverse communities across the Greater Toronto Area with kindness, well-being, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and optimism, last year the YMCA made more than 700,000 connections across 450 locations. For more information visit ymcagta.org.
