March 01, 2025

Ontario Disability Employment Network as facilitated by Life Directions

SPONSORED CONTENT — Life Directions Employment is spearheaded by the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) — a province-wide organization that brings together businesses and employment service providers to increase employment opportunities for job seekers who have a disability.

ODEN is a professional network of employment service providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability.

With over 140 member agencies, all in the business of helping people who have a disability get into the workforce, ODEN members are from every corner of the province and support people of all disability types. Beyond Ontario, they have connections with organizations in most provinces and territories of Canada.

Life Directions is the local service provider for many ODEN Disability Inclusion programs and campaigns, with locations in Flesherton, Hanover, Meaford, Dundalk and Markdale. They are funded in part by the government of Canada, South-East Grey Support Services, Employment Ontario and Bruce Grey Huron Perth Employment Services.

Their services are available to anyone free of charge. They work with job seekers to match their abilities with employer needs in South-East Grey County. In a partnership with participating employers, they will help to recruit, train and retain qualified employees.

At the 2024 South Grey Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala, certain outstanding people and businesses were also recognized for their involvement in these initiatives:

Gold Spoon Café Owners Jaz and George – Nominated for Best New Business Award

Monica Singh Soares, Business Engagement Specialist – Receiving recognition for our keynote from Karen Cox, President of the South Grey Chamber of Commerce

Kimberly Lewis of Markdale Flowers – Winner of the EDI Award and mentee of Monica Singh Soares and Cristin O'Sullivan

Mayor Lisa Post and Monica Singh Soares (Business Engagement Specialist) - Proclamation for NDEAM last October 17 in Orangeville

On October 29, 2024, Life Directions held an After 5 Networking Event at the Frontier Pavilion in Flesherton. During the evening, the impact of inclusive hiring in our community was showcased and the partnerships that make these initiatives possible were highlighted again. 

Life Directions is always looking for new connections to local employers and job seekers with disabilities, alike. To learn more about Life Directions, visit their website, email lifedirections@segss.com or call 519-378-5514.

 

---

At South Grey News, we endeavour to bring you truthful and factual, up-to-date local community news in a quick and easy-to-digest format that’s free of political bias. We believe this service is more important today than ever before, as social media has given rise to misinformation, largely unchecked by big corporations who put profits ahead of their responsibilities.

South Grey News does not have the resources of a big corporation. We are a small, locally owned-and-operated organization. Research, analysis and physical attendance at public meetings and community events requires considerable effort. But contributions from readers and advertisers, however big or small, go a long way to helping us deliver positive, open and honest journalism for this community.

Please consider supporting South Grey News with a donation in lieu of a subscription fee and let us know that our efforts are appreciated. Thank you.