MAKE A CHANGE CANADA HOSTS MP WAYNE STETSKI FOR IMPACT DAY

NELSON, BC--Make A Change Canada was pleased to host federal representative, Wayne Stetski, MP, for Kootenay-Columbia at Imagine Canada's iMPact Day on September 6, 2018, in Nelson, B.C.

iMPact Day is a Canada-wide social impact challenge in which all MPs are encouraged to spend a day observing and learning about an organization for social good in their constituency. Created by Imagine Canada, the national challenge runs from August 15 to September 16, 2018. iMPact Day is an opportunity for MPs to get an in-depth primer about what organizations actually do and how they go about doing it. Make A Change Canada was pleased to be selected to participate and introduce Mr. Stetski to our organization.

Make A Change Canada , established in 2004, is an accredited nonprofit organization with charitable status. Make A Change Canada develops and delivers entrepreneurial skills training and web development and design programs to people facing challenges to employment. These online programs provide flexible learning environments, which participants can access from the comfort and convenience of home.

Jan Wright, Board Chair of Make A Change Canada, and Anne-Marie Edgar, the organization’s Executive Director, met Wayne Stetski, MP, in person to start the day off. Mr. Stetski was given a tour of the Nelson office, followed by an online session with Make A Change Canada’s team members from across the country. Led by Anne-Marie Edgar, the online session covered the evolution of the organization, best practices, client success stories, the roles of business coaches and instructors, and the challenges ahead, all while demonstrating how a virtual organization located in Nelson, B.C., provides optimal training opportunities to people across Canada.

Jan Wright, Board Chair of Make A Change Canada, and also Vice President of Kalein Hospice Society, Nelson Civic Theatre Society, and active member of the Social Grants Committee for Columbia Basin Trust, appreciated the opportunity to share with Mr. Stetski the positive social and economic impact of e-learning training programs on students accessing services at Make A Change Canada. During the online session, Ms. Wright also recognized the staff contribution involved in developing and delivering the organization’s programs over the last 14 years.

Make A Change Canada Team Leader and Business Coach, Douglas Tardif, who joined the call from St-François-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick, outlined how Make A Change Canada uses technology to improve accessibility for our clients. Mr. Tardif observed that, “We have been at the forefront in our use of technology and continue to move forward seamlessly in using the full spectrum of technology to this day.”

Looking ahead, Make A Change Canada will continue evolving and growing as an e-learning and skills training provider.

“Our five-year strategic plan includes maintaining our current programming, while expanding further into employment services, as our participants would also benefit from gaining employment skills training,” said Anne-Marie Edgar, Executive Director. Ms. Edgar added, “Our [web development] programs are comparable to the college level, and we will be focusing on the needs of industry in creating an employment match for our graduates.”

iMPact Day left both parties feeling informed and inspired. Mr. Stetski was pleased to meet each of the staff members who generously shared their experience, from personal stories of working with clients to the flexibility of the work itself.

“Thank you to Make A Change Canada for the work you do, for these people who are often overlooked,” concluded Mr. Stetski.

About Make A Change Canada/Faire un Changement Canada
Make A Change Canada/Faire un Changement Canada, established in 2004, is a national nonprofit and charitable organization, and is accredited under the Imagine Canada Standards Program. Make A Change Canada develops and delivers online training, programs, and mentorship to anyone facing barriers to employment. We are a hub for job seekers, employers, and partner agencies seeking to empower themselves or others to realize their full economic, social, and human potential. Clients include people living with a disability or chronic health issue, youth, stay-at-home and single parents, older workers, Indigenous Peoples, new Canadians, members of the LGBTQ+ communities, and people living in rural or remote areas. For more information, please visit www.makeachangecanada.com