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Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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MentorAbility Alberta

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Canada
Calgary, AB
MentorAbility Alberta

A Mentoring Initiative to Promote Recruitment, Employment and Retention of People experiencing Pan-Disabilities

12/16/2025

MentorAbility Alberta – Monthly Service Provider Meeting

Connect. Collaborate. Strategize.

Connect with fellow Supported Employment Service Provider partners and explore how MentorAbility tools and resources can support your employment outcomes.

This monthly virtual gathering is an interactive space where service providers can:

✨ Share insights and best practices
✨ Discuss current challenges and successes
✨ Ask questions and exchange ideas
✨ Strategize how to make the most of the MentorAbility suite of offerings
✨ Strengthen inclusive employment pathways for job seekers experiencing disability

Whether you’re new to MentorAbility or a long-time partner, these sessions are designed to help you deepen your understanding, build connections, and collaborate with peers across Alberta’s supported employment community.

Who Should Attend:
Supported employment service providers, career coaches, job developers, case managers, and anyone supporting job seekers with disabilities.

Format:
Virtual | Collaborative | Discussion-based

How to Join:
Click here to get the link to join: https://ow.ly/eEjs50XJGim

Join us each month as we learn from one another, strengthen our collective impact, and continue building inclusive employment opportunities across Alberta.

We look forward to connecting with you!

12/09/2025

✨MentorAbility Alberta at Cochrane’s IDPD Celebration✨

This year, MentorAbility Alberta was proud to take part in Cochrane’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) event at the Cochrane Public Library — an evening dedicated to learning, connection, and celebrating disability pride and inclusion.

Hosted in partnership with Inclusion Cochrane and the Cochrane Public Library, the open house brought together community members, families, organizations, and allies from across the region. The event’s purpose was clear: to celebrate inclusion, raise awareness, and amplify the voices and experiences of people with disabilities.

Throughout the evening, visitors connected with local resources, explored community supports, and heard from two remarkable guest speakers:

📢 Rishav Sharma, a local athlete who competed in the Pan Am Paralympic Games in Brazil, and

📢 Darby Taylor, a dedicated Special Olympics Calgary athlete with over 19 years of experience.

Their stories highlighted the strength, resilience, and talent that thrive within the disability community.

The library also hosted an intentional, inclusive story time designed with children with developmental disabilities in mind—reflecting the event’s commitment to creating accessible and welcoming spaces for all.

Being part of Cochrane’s IDPD celebration reflects what MentorAbility Alberta values most: connection, collaboration, and community-led inclusion. Events like this allow us to:

👉 Listen directly to the voices of people with disabilities, ensuring their experiences guide how we support job seekers and employers.
👉 Build relationships with families, community groups, and local leaders who share a commitment to accessibility and equity.
👉 Highlight the importance of inclusive employment and the role mentorship plays in building pathways to meaningful work.
👉Show up as part of the community, not just as a program — but as partners working toward a future where all people can participate fully and thrive.

Cochrane’s IDPD celebration is a powerful reminder that inclusion is built at the community level, through everyday connections and shared stories. We’re grateful to have been included and look forward to continuing this work throughout Alberta!

12/08/2025

✨Mentorship Match - Kinley and Keyanna Spa🐶

Kinley joined MentorAbility Alberta eager to try new things and explore different careers — and found the perfect match at Keyanna Spa, a pet grooming salon known for its patient, inclusive approach.

With support from MentorAbility Coordinator Susannah and her career coach Conner, Kinley shadowed the team, learning grooming basics, customer care, and what goes on behind the scenes. She was engaged, confident, and proud of how much she learned over two sessions.

Keyanna Spa’s warm, accommodating environment made all the difference. Their commitment to inclusion helped Kinley discover new skills, build confidence, and explore a potential career path.

“It’s great to learn and have a new experience,” she shared — and we couldn’t agree more!

Kayenna Spa SW IPSE Society of Alberta CASE - Canadian Association for Supported Employment

11/04/2025

🔨Trade Insight, Real Talk, and Finding the Right Fit🔧

When Iain, a job seeker with a keen interest in mechanical work, met Seth—a seasoned heavy-duty mechanic with over 15 years in the trade—it quickly became clear that this was more than just a mentorship match. It was a conversation full of practical wisdom, encouragement, and the kind of candid insights that only come from lived experience.

Seth, who works for Sobeys maintaining everything from tractors and shunt trucks to refrigerated units, shared how his journey started early—thanks to a family legacy of truck ownership. He shared funny and interesting stories, recalling how he began removing and replacing parts as a teenager. Over time, curiosity, resourcefulness, and a willingness to ask questions became central to his growth. “I’ve never had someone in the trade turn me down when I asked a question,” he told Iain. “That’s how you learn.”

The conversation covered everything from technical skills to mindset. Seth emphasized how the role is a blend of mechanics, electrical work, welding, and problem-solving. “If it didn’t break down, we wouldn’t have a job,” he said. “You need to be comfortable with struggle—it’s how you learn.” He encouraged Iain to keep challenging himself, especially with the parts of the job he finds hardest. “Whatever is your least favorite thing, do it until it isn’t.”

Knowing Iain has a hearing impairment, Seth offered real-world reassurance, explaining some of the accommodations in the trade that could best support Iain in this area. He also described visual troubleshooting techniques—like using air bubbles in water to detect leaks—and highlighted how mechanical work today includes both high-tech diagnostics and old-school ingenuity.

Seth reflected on his experience at Sobeys, sharing that the role offers stability, variety, and the satisfaction of solving complex problems each day. He values the opportunity to contribute to an essential operation and to return home each night with a sense of accomplishment. “It’s a good life if you like problem-solving and using your hands and your brain,” he said.

Iain asked thoughtful questions about sourcing parts, navigating technical documentation, and the best tools of the trade. Seth responded with practical tips and even offered to stay in touch to answer more questions. “I'd hire you right now if I had an opening,” he told Iain. “You’ve got the attitude, and that’s the biggest part.”

The session wrapped up with encouragement to build peer networks, learn from instructors while they're still accessible, and embrace the steep learning curve. Seth left Iain with a lasting piece of advice: “Act like the equipment is yours—take pride in it. That’s what customers care about, and that’s what makes a great mechanic.”

10/21/2025

“Iiyikitapiiyi – Bravery can be shown in all forms.”

Last week, MentorAbility Alberta and Gateway Association were honoured to attend the Siksika Employment and Training Services (SETS) Fall Career Fair, celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM).

The day began with an opening prayer from Elder Gerald Sitting Eagle, powerful words from Tyson Wright and Heather Black, and a keynote by Johnathon Red Gun on and . Straedon Running Rabbit, a proud Siksika community member and self-advocate, shared his story of lived experience:
“I’ve never let my disability stop me. We can do what others can do—it might just look different.”

From impactful speeches to the career fair filled with , , and — the day was filled with learning, courage, and shared understanding.

💬 “Teaching and training is the modern buffalo—creating a sustainable future.”
💬 “Allyship means coming to our communities, learning from our professionals, and building relationships—not just reading about us in the news.”

For MentorAbility Alberta, attending events like this is an important part of our mission — to learn from, listen to, and stand alongside communities across Alberta as we collectively build pathways toward equitable and inclusive employment. These gatherings remind us that true inclusion happens through relationships, through showing up, and through working together in ways that honour both cultural knowledge and individual experience.

🤝 Inclusion isn’t just an initiative — it’s a shared responsibility and a journey we take together.

10/15/2025

💜 Tomorrow, October 16th, we Light It Up! for NDEAM! 💜

Across Canada, landmarks, buildings, and public spaces will be glowing purple to recognize Light It Up! for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) — a powerful visual reminder of the importance of disability inclusion in our workplaces and communities.

🟪When we light up in purple and wear purple, we’re not just celebrating — we’re showing our commitment to building accessible, inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Let’s continue to shine a light on ability, awareness, and action. 💡

🟣Join us by wearing purple, sharing photos of your community lit up, and tagging and to help spread the message of inclusion across the country!

10/01/2025

🎉🎈 HAPPY DEAM! 🎈🎉

October is Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) — a time to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and champion inclusive workplaces across Alberta.

We’re thrilled to invite you to join us at these must-attend DEAM events hosted or supported by MentorAbility Alberta this month:

👉 DEAM Alberta Virtual Kick-Off – TODAY at 12 PM MST! Start the month inspired and ready to take action.
👉 Inclusion Perks YYC – Oct 2 | Work Nicer Rail Yards, Calgary – Coffee, connection, and conversations about inclusive workplaces.
👉 DEAM IDEA Conference and Networking Event – Oct 2-3 – A two-day conference dedicated to innovation, diversity, equity, and accessibility in employment.
👉 Light It Up! for NDEAM – Oct 16 | Across Canada – Landmarks and workplaces shine purple and blue to honour inclusive employment.
👉 Inclusion Perks YEG – Oct 21 | Felice Café, Edmonton – A relaxed morning meet-up for meaningful conversations about inclusion.

✨ Whether you’re an employer, job seeker, service provider, or ally, there’s a way for you to get involved, learn, and connect.

🔗 Check out our website and follow us here for event details, registration links, and updates all month long! https://ow.ly/PzuG50X58km

Let’s make DEAM 2025 a month to remember — celebrating progress and sparking new opportunities for inclusive employment across Alberta.

Gateway Association CASE - Canadian Association for Supported Employment Alberta Employment First Network

07/08/2025

Inclusive employment is a team effort—and MentorAbility Alberta brings the right players together.

When your organization joins MentorAbility, you’re not working in isolation. You’re part of a collaborative ecosystem that includes:
🤝 Service providers across the province
💼 Chambers of commerce and employer councils
📢 Advocates for accessibility and equity

Together, we create cross-sector partnerships that open doors, align goals, and spark innovation.

It’s not just about mentorships—it’s about building a stronger, more connected inclusion movement across Alberta.

Be part of something bigger. Join the ecosystem:
www.gatewayassociation.ca/mentorability

07/02/2025

Creating change, one mentorship at a time...

Every time your organization facilitates a mentorship between a job seeker with a disability and an employer, you're doing more than supporting one person—you’re helping to reshape the way our communities think about inclusion, accessibility, and talent.

These experiences:
🔹 Challenge assumptions about disability and work
🔹 Build empathy, awareness, and openness among employers
🔹 Show what inclusion really looks like in action
🔹 Inspire long-term hiring and policy changes

This is systems change at the ground level—one mentorship at a time!

When service providers across Alberta take part in MentorAbility, we create a ripple effect of change that reaches workplaces, boardrooms, and beyond!

Join us in building a more inclusive Alberta:
www.gatewayassociation.ca/mentorability

07/01/2025

🎉🌈 July is Disability Pride Month! ♿️💚

At MentorAbility Alberta, we’re proud to celebrate the power, resilience, and contributions of the disability community — in the workplace and beyond.

Disability Pride Month began in July 1990, commemorating the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Today, it’s a global celebration of disability identity, advocacy, and the fight for accessibility and equity.

Why it matters to us:
Disability Pride aligns with our mission to promote inclusive employment through meaningful mentorship. Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their goals, be seen for their strengths, and thrive in their careers — not in spite of disability, but with pride in who they are.

How you can support this month:
✅ Host or participate in a MentorAbility match
✅ Uplift and learn from disabled professionals
✅ Learn about programs and organizations, like MentorAbility, that support disability inclusion in your area
✅ Attend local and virtual events for Disability Pride this month
✅ Advocate for accessible, inclusive workplaces
✅ Celebrate and share stories that challenge stereotypes

This month — and always — let’s recognize the strengths, contributions and resilience of the disability community!

06/12/2025

Upcoming Industry Info Session | June 18, 2–3PM
Struggle Is Your Success (S.I.Y.S) + Q&A Enterprises with Musap “Moose” Abdel

Join us for an inspiring virtual MentorAbility Industry Information Session with community leader and tech entrepreneur Musap “Moose” Abdel! Moose is the founder of Struggle Is Your Success (S.I.Y.S), a powerful, Black-led nonprofit empowering BIPOC youth across Alberta through trauma-informed mentorship, leadership development, and entrepreneurship.

In this session, you’ll discover:

✔ How S.I.Y.S builds skills and resilience in youth ages 14–25
✔ The role of tech, innovation & trauma-informed care in mentorship
✔ Community impact stories—and how YOU can support this mission
✔ PLUS: Hear about Moose’s other venture, Q&A Enterprises, and how he's creating change in the business world too!

🎤 Whether you're a service provider, educator, community partner or advocate for youth inclusion—this is one session you won’t want to miss.

🔗 Free to attend. Register now and join us via Zoom: https://ow.ly/OLzS50W79wV

06/05/2025

Service Providers, are you looking for a better way to bring employers into the conversation about disability inclusion?

MentorAbility Alberta makes it easier.

By offering short-term, commitment-free mentorships, MentorAbility gives employers a low-risk, high-reward entry point into inclusive hiring.

Employers get to:
✔ Meet job seekers with disabilities
✔ Explore what inclusive hiring really looks like
✔ Learn through direct experience—without the pressure to hire

For many employers, traditional job placements can feel like a big step. MentorAbility creates a safe space where they can build comfort and confidence, guided by your expertise as a service provider.

Each mentorship builds trust, breaks down stigma, and lays the groundwork for future partnerships. It’s not just about filling jobs—it’s about planting seeds for long-term cultural change in the workforce.

If this sounds like the support you've been needing, let's connect: https://ow.ly/Lzef50W3y8t

Gateway Association Alberta Employment First Network CASE - Canadian Association for Supported Employment

Address

Calgary, AB

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

facebook.com

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What is MentorAbility Alberta?

What is MentorAbility?

MentorAbility is a national initiative which promotes the employment of people with disabilities in communities large and small throughout all Canadian provinces and territories. MentorAbility is spearheaded in Alberta by Calgary Alternative Employment Services. We are focused on developing mentoring experience in which job seekers with disabilities are matched with individual mentors – to explore career opportunities and what they need to get ahead in their desired field of interest.

Who Can Be a Protege?

Job seekers with disabilities that are wanting explore different career pathways and opportunities in their desired field of interest.