Essex continuing to look at how to hire through Community Living employment programs

By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

Administration for the Town of Essex will provide a report on how the municipality could incorporate employment positions through Community Living Essex County’s (CLEC) employment programs.

That report will also look into hiring at least one individual through the Youth in Action position for this summer, using the 2025 Council Contingency dollars, and outline a job description and cost.

Council moved that resolution at the May 20 Essex Council meeting.

CLEC – a local organization providing supports to over 700 individuals of all ages with intellectual disabilities and their families – attended the March 3 Essex Council meeting, asking the Town of Essex to explore hiring opportunities through its employment programs.

At the time, Essex’s administration was directed to develop a plan on how the municipality could fulfill CLEC’s request by reporting back with recommendations.

Town staff has identified opportunities to create a few positions to support Community Living Essex County’s (CLEC) Career Compass and Youth in Action: Summer Work Experience programs.

The Career Compass program is its modernized employment service providing direction to its job-seeking clients in search for meaningful employment and guiding employers in inclusive hiring. The Youth in Action: Summer Work Experience program provides students who have an intellectual disability the opportunity to find meaningful part-time employment opportunities in their communities, and demonstrate community leadership in inclusive hiring practices.

Brandi Sieben, Essex’s Manager of Human Resources, noted two positions in connection with CLEC’s Career Compass have been identified – a casual arena attendant and crossing guard.

The Town of Essex will begin recruiting for casual arena attendants in August, just before the hockey and skating season kicks-off.

In terms of the Youth in Action: Summer Work Experience, Town of Essex positions that may fit this criteria have already been filled for 2025, Sieben explained. At this time, there were no summer positions identified as an appropriate match, due to safety considerations and driving requirements.

Jobs postings are listed towards the end-of-December and close mid-January. The summer student program hosted through the Town is a competitive program, coinciding with Canada Summer Jobs.

In speaking to administration, there is belief there are some tasks that could be pulled together to create another part-time position that would allow for the Town to partner with CLEC, while providing meaningful work for a local youth with intellectual disabilities. This additional position could be presented to Council as part of the 2026 Budget.

Tammy Dalgleish, Employment Specialist for CLEC, appeared as a delegate at the meeting, explaining the organization is appreciative of the review of the municipal roles that may align with the Career Compass initiatives and the potential for Youth in Action positions.

Dalgleish explained Lakeshore has hired three permanent positions since 2019, and multiple Youth in Action positions. In addition, Amherstburg has hired one permanent position since 2017 and has hired Youth in Action applicants, including six for this coming summer across multiple departments. Leamington hired one permanent position in 2013, and will hire two Youth in Action positions this summer.

The Youth in Action program is a minimum commitment of four-hours per week for six-weeks, Dalgleish noted. “It is a very small commitment [of] 24-hours over the summer.”

She added many CLEC job seekers do have drivers’ licences. In terms of safety concerns, she relayed that those with disabilities have much lower rates of accidents and injury, compared to the general public, and was happy to provide the stats with Council and staff.

Over the years, Dalgleish said she has been involved with many conversations and meetings with the Town of Essex on this matter. Support has been expressed many times. There has been commitment made, but no hires have happened to date. She is happy the conservation is ongoing, and hopeful this renewed interest may lead to meaningful action.

The previous week, CLEC hosted its annual Mayor’s Luncheon, where local dignitaries from across the region heard of many success stories in collaborating with Career Compass, including increased morale, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

At the luncheon, Mayor Sherry Bondy said she was embarrassed the Town of Essex does not have one of these positions.

“We are in a position of leadership in the community, and if we cannot hire [inclusively], then how do we expect anybody else to do that,” Bondy said, noting she would like more from the Town of Essex to attend that annual luncheon. “I think it will help make a difference in this workplace.”

Bondy did not want to wait until 2026 to hire someone through CLEC’s employment programs.

“I don’t want to catch-up, I want to be a leader,” she said. “We need to create a sense of belonging in the municipality of Essex.

She moved to direct Administration to provide a report on how the Town of Essex could incorporate employment positions through CLEC’s employment programs, and look into hiring at least one individual through the Youth in Action position for this summer, using the 2025 Council Contingency dollars to do so. That will outline a job description and cost.

Bondy noted the Council Contingency Fund has not been earmarked for anything else yet this year. There is $15,000 in this fund that Council can use to fund unexpected matters throughout the budget year.

Councillor Joe Garon agreed with many of Bondy’s points, but wanted to ensure the job was created first to ensure a candidate can successfully fulfil those duties. The Town has to consider its union labour agreements, too, as that was also identified as something that needs to be considered before creating a new position during the discussion.

In answering Councillor Kim Verbeek’s question on job coaching through CLEC, Dalgleish explained CLEC works with the employer and employee until the person gets to know their jobs well and can work independently. The employee works with the employer and CLEC ongoing.

Verbeek spoke of her son who participated in the Youth in Action program for three summers, and how it provided him confidence, independence, strength, and growth.

“These kids are waiting on pins and needles to get a job,” Verbeek said. She worried about how the clock may run out to hire for the summer before a report can come back.

Councillor Jason Matyi would like the report to include possibly looking at two Youth in Action positions.

Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais would also like the report to highlight how other municipalities are able to hire around their own union agreements. She liked the direction the matter was going.

Councillor Rodney Hammond would also like the report to highlight unanticipated costs to the municipalities, in case mistakes are made by the employees through this program. Verbeek noted it would be unlikely anyone in these positions through Career Compass would cost the municipality anything additional.

Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley owns a small business and has had positive experience hiring through this program.