Employers across Calgary are seeing the value of hiring youth and people with disabilities.

These success stories show how inclusion leads to stronger teams and better outcomes:

Anna’s Story: From Anxiety to Empowerment

At 16, Anna was living with anxiety, PTSD and a mild cognitive disability, and doubted anyone would hire her. With guidance from her job coach, she built confidence at her own pace, learned to express herself and recognize her strengths. Her placement at Bath & Body Works challenged her, but she persevered, and soon she was independently helping customers, contributing to team meetings and thriving in a busy retail environment. By the program’s end, her manager encouraged her to apply for a job, and Anna left feeling confident, connected and ready for what’s next.

Jake’s Story: Communication that Works

Jake, 18, is non-verbal but has a strong work ethic and thoughtful approach. He understands spoken language and prefers writing by hand. With his job coach, he created a communication system and a visual résumé to achieve his goals. Now preparing for his first work placement, he loves organizing stock, matching barcodes and keeping shelves tidy. His attention to detail is a clear asset. Jake shows that with flexibility and respect, people reveal what they’re capable of.

Employment Partner Testimonials

“Partnering with Vecova has been incredibly rewarding for our team. We welcomed Ashley into our shop and watched her grow in confidence and develop valuable customer service skills. With guidance from Vecova’s Job Coaches, Ashley learned to take flower orders over the phone, from recording details to processing payments, something she was initially nervous about but handled beautifully. The experience benefited both Ashley and our business, showing us first-hand the value of workplace inclusion.”
– Lindsay Parr, Owner, My Florist

“Hosting a youth through Vecova’s program has been an incredibly positive experience. Payten, our placement student, brought enthusiasm and a strong work ethic that truly enriched our team. With guidance from Vecova’s Job Coaches, we watched her grow in confidence and capability. Programs like this are vital, not just for youth development, but for building inclusive workplaces.” 
– Manager, Andrew’s NOFRILLS 

“Hosting Danny through the Vecova Youth Program was a rewarding and meaningful experience. With support from Job Coaches, Danny quickly became a valued part of our team, starting with packaging tasks and eventually expressing interest in customer service. Watching his confidence grow and seeing him build relationships with staff showed us just how impactful inclusive hiring can be.” 
– Glamorgan Bakery Team, Calgary, AB