Advocating for the value, dignity, and human rights of people living with an intellectual disability

A Word From The President People First Peterborough has been involved in a partnership with People First Ontario and has had several events throughout this past year. People First Peterborough did another holiday mug fundraiser this year over Christmas; sales weren’t as good as last year but overall went well again this year. Places they were sold were Trillium and Fleming College, Trent University and Community Living Peterborough’s reception. Special Thanks to Community Living Peterborough for helping us sell our mugs when they had their own fundraisers happening. l

People First Peterborough put on another fantastic conference on May 22nd. This year’s theme was “The Leader in Me”. Keynotes by Kory Earle President of People First Canada and inclusive employer Mark Wafer and featured workshops by Linda Kash (the Philly cheese angel), Dean Pappas and Leslie Parnell and Lynn Teatro (a distinguished Toastmaster). Special thanks to Community Living Peterborough for helping us put this conference on, as we couldn’t have done it without you!

The Leader in Me Conference: May 22, 2015

My Inspirational Interview with Mark Wafer By Tony Downer May 22, 2015 at the People First Peterborough Conference Owner of six Tim Horton locations in Toronto, Mark Wafer has 20 years of experience hiring people living with disabilities, here is his story… How did you discover the advantages of hiring people with disabilities? “I think after I had hired about 4 or 5 people with disabilities, I realized that was a clear business case, because the people who were working for me with disabilities didn’t leave, didn’t take time off, worked in a safe manner, had no work place accidents, productivity rate was higher and they didn’t need any supervision. And they were my best employees. So I knew after 2-3 years from the time I started my business there were benefits to being an inclusive employer.” Any suggestions you'd give to local business owners that aren't keen on giving people with disabilities a chance? “Well it’s funny you use the word ‘not keen’ too, and the reason they’re not keen is because they have a fear of what happens if they hire someone with a disability, until they have hired at least one person with a disability they won’t know what happens. Looking at my experience there is no down side. That doesn’t mean that when you hire someone with a disability that it might not work out, that’s ok, if it doesn’t work out it doesn’t mean we don’t try again. The hard part is trying to get that first step in the door. So it’s important that our employers in town understand that this isn’t about charity, this is about providing real jobs, meaningful jobs, and paying people a legal wage to do a job properly. Based on my experiences businesses in Peterborough can’t afford not to be inclusive employers.” From your experience in working with people that have a disability would you do it again? “I would do it again any day. My best employees have been employees with disabilities. Today we have 46 out of 250 that have a disability. The average tenor for an employee in my business is 1 year and 3 months, but for my employees with disabilities it is 7 years. So they stay with me a long time, longer than average, and they are my best employees. So would I do it again? In a heartbeat.” Thank you for taking some time to speak with us. Mark was recently inducted into the disability hall of fame.

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People First Peterborough Chapter News

Highlights from 2014/2015 People First Peterborough (PFP) has had an extremely busy year!  Presentations at Fleming College, Int’l Day of Persons with Disabilities, local high schools  First annual Open House last October, gaining five new members  New website launch! www.peoplefirstptbo.ca  Updates: brochures, business cards, t-shirts and purchasing new PFP pins!  General Meetings had speakers from: City of Peterborough, local police, Health Unit and the

Peterborough Huskies!  Attended the People First Ontario Conference: Awakening the Power of Community  This year also marked an election year, bringing in a new

board effective in September.  Governance development training with Lisa Smith from United

Way assisting with PFP Board bylaws and terms of reference.  NEW Community Living Peterborough staff PFP Advisors Abby

Ross and Jen Edwards have been welcomed in and although Krista Brailey is leaving the Advisor role she is staying on as the Community Connector with the People First Ontario project.

Partnership with People First Ontario Along with four other Ontario People First Chapters, the biggest part of this year has been working with People First Ontario (PFO) with their project: Our Community, Our Lives: Strengthening Ontario Communities for Active Living and Social Inclusion. This project has given PFP an opportunity to grow as a Chapter: build, identify priorities and create an action plan. One of those priorities has been to make a bigger impact within the local community, and as a result members received training and joined local committees to represent and speak on behalf of those living with an intellectual disability.

WANTED: Volunteer Advisor for People First Job Requirements: An energetic, self-motivated, creative problem-solver, willing to learn and grow with People First members and willing to work with people with disabilities. Duties: Duties include, but are not limited to, communication with members, giving advice when necessary, attending board meetings/general meetings. Board meetings occur bi-weekly on Mondays from 2:30-4:30pm. General meetings are the second Monday of every month from 4:00-6:00pm. Required Qualifications: Excellent communication skills, proficient use of Microsoft Office, attention to detail and accuracy, ability to multi-task and highly respectable to people living with a disability. Solid experience with time management skills, strong leadership skills and candidates should enjoy working independently or with a team. Inquires or submit a resume to: [email protected] Or call: 705-743-2412 x536 By: August 1, 2015

Spring/Summer 2015

The Rose Symbolizes:

Our Hopes Our Dreams Our Choices Our Rights Page 3

Community Appreciation Thank you to the following community members for your donations, time, expertise and support. This valuable support helps People First Peterborough fulfill our mission in raising awareness of the value, dignity and human rights of people living with an intellectual disability. People First Ontario Community Living Peterborough People First Canada Community Living Ontario Peterborough Lion’s Community Centre Tim Horton’s Lansdowne Place Fleming College Trillium College Trent and Fleming Blueboxing program Living Hope Church Constable Janks, The Peterborough Police Natalie Garnett, City of Peterborough Brittany Cadence, Peterborough Health Unit Dean Pappas, City Councillor Leslie Parnell, City Councillor Dave McGowan McDonald’s Chemong Christian Harvey, St. John’s Anglican Church Lisa Smith, United Way

The Rose Symbolizes:

Our Hopes Our Dreams Our Choices Our Rights People First Peterborough News Team! Daniel Lombardi Tony Downer Steph Paul If you have a story or suggestion for the newsletter

Call: 705-743-2412 x536

Find us online! WEB:

www.peoplefirstptbo.ca

EMAIL: [email protected] You can also find us on Facebook! And see our Tweets on Twitter! T-Shirts for sale: $25 each In partnership with Community Living Peterborough, People First Peterborough Chapter advocates for the value, dignity, and human rights of people living with an intellectual disability.

223 Aylmer Street, Peterborough, ON K9J 3K3 ● 705-743-2412 x536 ● [email protected]