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May 9, 2025
Join us for an inspiring and engaging event in celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)!
At Empower we are dedicated to making the digital world more accessible for everyone. This event is the perfect opportunity to connect with colleagues, friends, partners, and clients who share the same vision. Let’s come together to exchange insights, network, and take action towards a more accessible world.
Event Details
- đź“… Date: 15 May
- 📍 Location: EmpowerNL 4 Escasoni Place St. John’s
- đź•“ Time: 13:00 to 16:00
Why Attend?
- âś… Expand Your Network: Meet professionals, developers, and advocates in the accessibility community.
- âś… Gain Practical Knowledge: Learn about digital accessibility, accessibility best practices, and adaptive technology.
- âś… Improve Your Website Accessibility: Get a speed audit of your website with expert feedback.
- âś… Engaging Workshops: Compusult Demos & Displays
- âś… Hands-on sessions on accessible gaming and experience screen reader software and web accessibility.
- âś… Drinks & Bites: Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with great conversations and refreshments.
Collaborating Partners
We are excited to work with Compusult who will be introducing assistive technology (AT). AT enhances the quality of life, promotes inclusion, and improves the well-being of individuals with disabilities and those with aging-related challenges.
How to Join?
Interested? Let us know through the Registration Form and secure your spot!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Empower Technology Services
May 8, 2025
Position: Advocacy Services Assistant
(35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks)
Responsible to: EmpowerNL Advocacy Services Manager
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for jobs at Empower.
Eligible Participants must:
- Must be entering or returning to post-secondary training in the upcoming academic year or must be currently enrolled in high school – level I, II or III or moving from the intermediate level (Gr. 9) to Level I in September 2025; and
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada; and
- Not be an immediate family member of the employer; and
- Students must apply directly to the employer.
This job is funded by the Provincial Government, through the Summer Employment Program for Students.
Expectations:
A person with good communication skills and an understanding of the need for confidentiality.
It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs; is committed to a team approach; and demonstrates flexibility.
For more information on Independent Living, please visit our website at EmpowerNL.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.
Duties / Responsibilities:
- Assist Empower’s Advocacy Manager with daily tasks related to the Advocacy Services Program.
- Take inquiries from members.
- Schedule and reschedule appointments for the Advocacy Services Manager.
- Assist in scanning and faxing materials to government agencies on behalf of members.
- Assist members in filling out applications for government programs.
- Assist in preparing for presentations and meetings.
- Filing and other office tasks.
- Assist with note taking during appointments with members.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
- A student in either social work, nursing or any social science degree program that would want to learn the skills related to advocacy and frontline consumer service.
- Great interpersonal/communication skills, helping skills, and problem solving skills.
- Able to work with and without supervision; respects the confidentiality of consumers.
- Self-starter, enthusiastic
Please apply by email. Send resume and cover letter to:
Joby@EmpowerNL.ca
Please ensure you quote the job title “Advocacy Services Assistant” in the subject line of the email.
Application deadline is Friday, May 16th, 2025
Start Date: July 7 th , 2025
May 8, 2025
Position: Annual Barbecue Coordinator
(35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks)
Responsible to: EmpowerNL Member Services Coordinator
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for jobs at Empower.
Eligible Participants must:
- Must be entering or returning to post-secondary training in the
upcoming academic year or must be currently enrolled in high school –
level I, II or III or moving from the intermediate level (Gr. 9) to Level I in
September 2025; and
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada; and
- Not be an immediate family member of the employer; and
- Students must apply directly to the employer.
This job is funded by the Provincial Government, through the Summer Employment Program for Students.
Expectations:
The candidate will have good Communication and Organization Skills.
It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs; is committed to a team approach; and demonstrates flexibility.
For more information on Independent Living, please visit our website at www.EmpowerNL.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.
Duties / Responsibilities:
- Plan and Coordinate events such as the Annual EmpowerNL Membership
Barbecue;.
- Encourage Volunteers and EmpowerNL members to take part in planning
these events;
- Obtain donations from business community;
- Ensure events are fully accessible.
- Complete other office and administrative related duties.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
- Experience with computers; Word processing, Internet, Excel, PowerPoint
- Experience Coordinating events; organizational abilities
- Great Interpersonal Skills; able to work with and without supervision; respects the confidentiality of consumers
- Self-starter, enthusiastic
- Access to vehicle would be an asset but not a requirement.
Please apply by email. Send resume and cover letter to:
Sherri@EmpowerNL.ca
Please ensure you quote the job title “Annual Barbecue Coordinator” in the subject line of the email.
Application deadline is Friday, May 16th, 2025
Start Date: July 7 th , 2025
May 8, 2025
Position: Garden Maintenance Assistant
(35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks)
Responsible to: EmpowerNL Member Services Coordinator
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for jobs at Empower.
Eligible Participants must:
- Must be entering or returning to post-secondary training in the upcoming academic year or must be currently enrolled in high school – level I, II or III or moving from the intermediate level (Gr. 9) to Level I in
September 2025; and
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada; and
- Not be an immediate family member of the employer; and
- Students must apply directly to the employer.
This job is funded by the Provincial Government, through the Summer Employment Program for Students.
Expectations:
The ideal candidate will enjoy working outdoors as part of a team.
It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs; is committed to a team approach; and demonstrates flexibility.
For more information on Independent Living, please visit our website at EmpowerNL.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.
Duties / Responsibilities:
- Assist members and volunteers who are involved with gardening activities;.
- Coordinate annual spruce-up, a peer support event involving members and gardeners;
- Perform maintenance tasks for the building (changing light bulbs, moving equipment, etc.) and garden (mowing, planting, weeding, etc);
- Other related duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work with and without supervision; Ability to work as part of a team; Respects the confidentiality of members.
- Self-starter, enthusiastic
Please apply by email. Send resume and cover letter to:
Sherri@EmpowerNL.ca
Please ensure you quote the job title “Garden Maintenance Assistant” in the subject line of the email.
Application deadline is Friday, May 16th, 2025
Start Date: July 7 th , 2025
May 8, 2025
Position:Â Special Events Coordinator
(35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks)
Responsible to: Inclusion NL Services Coordinator
Eligible Participants must:
- be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period.
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment and,
- have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant
provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for jobs at Empower.
Expectations:
The candidate will have good Communication and Organization Skills.
It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs of a diverse population; respects the confidentiality of consumers; is committed to a team approach; demonstrates flexibility.
For more information on Independent Living, please visit our web site at empowernl.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.
Duties / Responsibilities:
- Plan and Coordinate events such as the Annual Empower Membership BBQ.
- Recruit and organize volunteers for Inclusion Crews to provide supports at festivals, concerts, & events.
- Encourage Volunteers and Empower members to take part in planning and providing supports at these events.
- Provide support in Inclusion Awareness Training for event volunteers.
- Obtain donations from the business community.
- Ensure events are fully accessible.
- Complete other office and administrative related duties.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
- Experience with computers; Word processing, Internet, Excel, Power Point
- Experience Coordinating events; organizational abilities
- Great Interpersonal Skills; able to work with and without supervision; respects the confidentiality of consumers
- Self-starter, enthusiastic
Please apply by email. Send resume and cover letter to:
amanda@inclusionnl.ca
Please ensure you quote job title “Special Events Coordinator” in subject line of email.
Application deadline is Friday, May 16th, 2025
Start Date: July 7 th , 2025
May 4, 2025
“Having volunteer board members as ambassadors in the community provides opportunity for others to learn about our services.”
– Kathy Hawkins, Executive Director, EmpowerNL
“I’m grateful to all of our volunteers but I’ve especially enjoyed getting to have family and friends coming to support building our shed and accessible garden beds. They have a skillset we desperately needed and they got to feel like they got to be a part of what we do at Empower.”
– Sherri Tucker, Member Services Coordinator, EmpowerNL
“Having dedicated volunteers to help support festivals in the community makes it easier for people with disabilities to be engaged with community.”
– Kathy Hawkins, Executive Director, EmpowerNL
“Advocacy Services is extremely grateful to the volunteers that allow us to run a free tax clinic for our Members every year. This year, our volunteers helped 38 members complete and file their taxes!”
– Joby Fleming, Advocacy Service Manager, EmpowerNL
“Having a volunteer Board of Directors ensures that our organization is governed in an efficient and effective manner so we can provide services to over 200 members.”
– Kathy Hawkins, Executive Director, EmpowerNL
May 3, 2025
Our final Volunteer Spotlight is Charmaine Davidge!
“I used to work with Empower years ago when I worked at another non-profit. There were, and are, an amazing community partner.
I first volunteered with Empower about 15 yrs ago. I served on Empower’s Board of Directors. For the last 5 years or so I have volunteered with the Inclusion Crew. They support barrier reduction for individuals with disabilities to attend concerts, festivals and events such as the St. John’s Regatta. I am so grateful to Empower for providing this opportunity and I am looking forward to volunteering again this summer!
I have volunteered with the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association- NL, Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (COD-NL), End Sexual Violence – NL, Equal Voice NL, the Pottle Centre, among others.
I love volunteering. It provides me with an additional means to work with organizations that I believe deeply in. I learn so much from those opportunities.
I watch NHL hockey, not post season hockey because my team rarely makes the playoffs. I spend a great deal of time with my cats. I also spend time near the ocean, smelling salt water.”
May 2, 2025
Our next Volunteer Spotlight is Hunter Bennett!
“I became involved with Empower through (Member Services Coordinator) Sherri and her brother Freddie who I met about four years ago playing in the CPA Pool League.
I have volunteered on the project of building the new garden shed. I helped pour the concrete slab, lay the roofing, and help install the doors and windows. I look forward to finalizing this project as soon as the weather allows it.
Since I moved to St. John’s from Cape Breton, Empower has been the only organization that I have volunteered with. The opportunity has only arisen because of knowing some awesome people! The kind of Volunteer work I’ve done with Empower (and plan to continue to do) gives a sense of satisfaction knowing the things I’ve done personally help out so many people. Aside from the volunteer work itself, the adventure of learning new things, meeting new people, enjoying the company I work alongside, and of course the delicious snacks, are always a reward of time well spent.
My free time mostly consists of reading and studying. However, when that’s all done, I like to play my guitars and shoot some pool with good company. I moved to St. John’s from Glace Bay Nova Scotia in 2021 right out of Highschool to pursue studies at MUN. I’ve always enjoyed the hands-on work of building or fixing things but since I moved here, my focus has been on studying and very little opportunities arose for me to explore the other side of me. When I was first asked to volunteer with the garden shed project, it was an immediate yes.
Empower is all about giving opportunity and the resources to fulfill those opportunities to everyone. I understand this is volunteer appreciation week, but I’d like to extend my appreciation to Empower for giving me the opportunity to scratch that itch I’ve had since I moved here.”
May 1, 2025
Meet Patrick Burke! Another of our fantastic volunteers, who says:
“I first learned of Empower when I worked for GoBus and used to drive clients to the center and often hung out when they had their programs there.
I have volunteered with Empower off and on for about 10 years and would play music for the Thursdays group and at Christmas time. I also play for their Members’ Barbecue.
I’m involved with the Canada Games this year and play music at every seniors home in St. John’s and Mount Pearl, CBS and the Southern Shore.
Volunteering has been my world. It is time consuming but a labor of love. Since I have retired I have been doing it more frequently and being retired from the military it has helped me battle PTSD. Music is my life and to see the smiles on peoples faces make it all worthwhile.
My family has been a positive support throughout my career and everything I do. My partner has to endure me gone most days with all that I do but is 100% supportive. I play hockey 3 times a week and in the summer I trout, play softball and play lots of golf.”
April 30, 2025
Our second Volunteer Spotlight is Amanda Howlett! She says:
“Someone my mom worked for told her about Empower a long time ago and we went for a tour and signed me up.
I’ve been volunteering with Empower for 16 – 17 years. I am a board member and have been for 12 years with a break in between. I also volunteer with the Dinner Club. Volunteering has given me a lot of skills like answering the phone, taking messages and taking minutes.
In my free time I like to watch TV, play games on my phone and just hangout. I live at home with my family and I am the administrative assistant at Avalon Employment. I love my job and I am a proud auntie to two nieces and a nephew – being a auntie is my favorite thing! ”