Provides therapy, rehabilitation, and vocational services to children, youth, and adults with physical, neurological, and developmental challenges. Offers community-based services that enhance the quality of life for children, youth, and adults with disabilities and their families in ways that facilitate and build competencies and foster inclusion. The head office is located at 2805 Kingsway Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5R 5H9.

Greater Vancouver Business Leadership Network
Provides job placement services to unemployed individuals who are legally entitled to work in Canada, display the potential for competitive employment, and have a disability or medical condition that results in a barrier to employment. Uses a corporate development approach to build a coalition of businesses to promote hiring individual with disabilities.

The Opportunities Fund
Provides funding for training, wage subsidy, and disability supports to assist individuals with a permanent disability or a medical condition to secure employment or establish self employment. Individuals must have been ineligible for Employment Insurance in the past 3 years.

Promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

Pathways Clubhouse
Helps members recover from mental illness and reclaim their lives through an environment that focuses on the person’s strengths and talents. Creates opportunities for members to return to school, gain employment, find a place to live, connect with their families, make new friends, and create successes. Also provides education to increase awareness and understanding of mental illness and mental health.

The DDA is a community living agency that provides over 50 community-based programs and services to children, adults, and their families with developmental disabilities in Vancouver and Richmond. Their mission is to enable people with developmental disabilities achieve their full potential.

Jobs West
411 - 2150 West Broadway
Vancouver,  BC   V6K 4L9   (Map)
Web site: www.jobswestdda.ca
Phone:  604-732-7776
Fax:  604-732-7841
E-mail: kinglis@develop.bc.ca
An employment service for adults with developmental disabilities. It helps employers match, train, and keep qualified staff. Participants must be eligible for services through Community Living BC.

Starworks - Packing and Assembly
276 SW Marine Drive
Vancouver,  BC   V5X 2R5   (Map)
Web site: www.starworks.ca
Phone:  604-879-8457
Fax:  604-879-7441
E-mail: starworks@develop.bc.ca
Starworks is a social enterprise created to hire individuals with barriers to employment to perform light labour, knitting, packaging, and assembly work. Employs over 50 casual workers in a 5000 square foot warehouse with the capacity to handle all types of work that require high volumes of manual labour.

Designed to help new graduates transition into permanent, full-time employment in the environmental sector. Helps offset any risk associated with hiring a new-graduate by providing a wage-subsidy to employers that can account for up to one third of the intern’s salary for up to a maximum of $12,000. For more information on the program or to apply to become an intern, visit the website.

An independent, administrative tribunal with the mandate to mediate and adjudicate employment and labour relations matters related to unionized workplaces. Governs all aspects of collective bargaining amongst provincially-regulated employers and employees, including the acquisition of collective bargaining rights, the process of collective bargaining, the settlement and regulation of disputes in public and private sectors, and the regulation of the representation of persons by their bargaining agents.

Responsibilities include industrial relations, employment standards, workers compensation, and labour relations. Provides services for individuals, families, and businesses including Enquiry BC, and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy.

Employers' Advisers
620 - 8100 Granville Ave.
Richmond,  BC   V6Y 3T6   (Map)
Web site: www.labour.gov.bc.ca/eao/
Phone:  604-713-0303
Fax:  604-713-0345
Toll Free:  1-800-925-2233
E-mail: eao@eao-bc.org
Employers' Advisers provide independent advice, assistance, representation, and training to employers, potential employers, and employer associations concerning workers' compensation issues.

Employment Standards Branch
PO Box 9570 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria,  BC   V8W 2B7   (Map)
Web site: www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/
Fax:  250-356-1886
Toll Free:  1-800-663-3316
Administers the Employment Standards Act and Regulation, which set minimum standards of wages and working conditions in most workplaces.

Workers' Advisers
500 - 8100 Granville Ave.
Richmond,  BC   V6Y 3T6   (Map)
Web site: www.labour.gov.bc.ca/wab/
Phone:  604-713-0360
Fax:  604-713-0311
Toll Free:  1-800-663-4261
Advisers provide direct assistance in resolving claims problems with the WCB and gather evidence to advance the inquiry system. Clients are provided with representation in cases involving complex legal, medical, or policy issues where there is no alternate representative, and where there is merit.

Focuses on the customer by transforming the delivery of services, using effective and outcome-based practices, and working in collaboration with ministries, other levels of government and business, community and service organizations to create a province in which British Columbians in need are assisted to achieve their social and economic potential.

BC Employment and Assistance
Web site: http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/bcea.htm
Assists British Columbians by moving them from income assistance to sustainable employment, and by providing income assistance to those who are unable to fully participate in the workforce. People with disabilities who can work are supported by specialized employment programs that assist them. Assistance is also available to those in need who are not expected to gain independence through employment. Applicants are expected to look for work before they receive assistance and, where able, people receiving income assistance are expected to complete an Employment Plan, seek work, and participate in employment programs.

BC Employment Program (see the Employment Program of BC)

Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities (EPPD)
Web site: http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/pwd/eppd.htm
Provides a range of specialized services to help individuals with disabilities participate in their communities, pursue their employment goals, increase their self-reliance, and build skills and experience that may lead to further employment or volunteer opportunities. Assists persons with disabilities to achieve their economic and social potential.

Employment Program of BC (formerly the British Columbia Employment Program)
Web site: http://www.workbc.ca/workbccentres/welcome.htm
Only new BCEA clients with employment obligations that have been identified by the ministry are formally referred to the EPBC. Service providers assess if a person using EPBC services needs more than self-serve services. If needed, service providers can contact the ministry requesting a formal referral to the EPBC to provide them with case management. Ministry staff will complete a new Employment Plan for the client. Makes it easier for people to find work and provide stability for their families through a range of employment services and supports.

Family Maintenance Program
Web site: http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/publicat/bcea/fmp.htm
Toll Free:  1-866-866-0800
The parent who has custody of the child(ren), even shared custody, may be entitled to receive maintenance payments from the other parent. The Child Support Guidelines set out the amount of maintenance to be paid. When maintenance payments are either late or absent, families can turn to BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) for support. If you are a BCEA client, the Ministry of Social Development’s Family Maintenance Program will assist you to obtain the maintenance order you are entitled to.

Self Serve Assessment and Application Tool
Web site: www.weborientation.gov.bc.ca
For those who are considering applying for BC Employment and Income Assistance. Learn about the process of applying for income assistance and the eligibility requirements. Offers a rough estimate of how much assistance you might be eligible for each month. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dedicated to helping immigrant individuals, and families integrate into the community. Believes in empowering individuals to become contributing members of Canada by providing orientation, training, and other programs that will help them enter the work force. Services are offered in English, Filipino, and Bangla.

Operates on the fundamental belief that all individuals have the ability to succeed. Provides opportunities for achievement through employment programs and health and wellness activities. Serves a variety individuals, including those who are seeking employment and persons living with a disability or facing multiple barriers such as social, economic, or health challenges. Services include individualized employment counseling, pre-employment and job search workshops, employer contacts and on-going support. Open Door Group’s Richmond office includes a fully equipped Employment Resource Centre with onsite help with computers, Internet access, job postings, photocopying, local phone calls, and faxing.

Offers job seeking tools and job postings with the government. Business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm.

Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)
Provides full-time students with work experience related to their field of study and to provide them with learning opportunities. Also gives full-time secondary school, CEGEP, college, technical institute, and university students employment opportunities that will enrich their academic program and develop skills in preparation for future careers.

Post-Secondary Recruitment Program
Provides entry-level officer positions to university and college graduates. Positions are available across Canada, in a variety of fields and work environments. You may apply to individual career opportunities or to the general inventory.

Provides a supportive environment in which all women are supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential. Services include information and referral, peer support, a volunteer program, training services, and a resource library. Provides English conversation classes, computer training, a single mother’s support group, a grandmother’s support group, and more. Some programs require membership.

Work Ready Program
Web site: www.richmondwomenscentre.bc.ca/help-groups/programs/14-work-ready-program
A three month intensive work-readiness program that includes office and computer training, business English conversation and writing, workshops in job search skills, vocational and educational advice, and volunteer and practicum experience. The program teaches skills like English writing, business correspondence, job search, and interview skills.

Aims to provide programs and services that are responsive to the diverse needs of Richmond children, youth, and families. Offers a number of services and programs in Richmond including: counselling for children and youth, a youth centre in Richmond, a career program, after school programs, volunteering and leadership opportunities, special events and celebrations, and an Aboriginal centre.

Job Options BC Program
Phone:  604-271-7600
E-mail: erin.thompson@rysa.bc.ca
For unemployed, non-EI Richmond/South Delta Residents who are entitled to work in Canada. Participants must be 18 years or older and not students. The program offers 4 to 5 weeks of facilitated group workshops (with training allowance) and 4 to 5 weeks of work experience. Participants receive long-term job search support and placement assistance including wage subsidies.

Pathways Aboriginal Centre (PAC)
Phone:  604-271-7600
E-mail: jelica.shaw@rysa.bc.ca
Pathways provides a gathering place for Aboriginal children, youth, and families. The centre and programs provide a variety of support and activities towards increased cultural awareness and connection, health and wellness and supporting Aboriginal people to achieve their goals. Services include one to one support, group activities and workshops, life skills, career exploration, school support and tutoring, mentorship, cultural teachings and ceremonies, health and wellness workshops, gardening, cooking and sharing of food, family nights, special events and community development and education. AYC also works to celebrate and share Aboriginal culture annually through National Aboriginal Day celebrations. The centre often offers specialized and short term activities, camps, cultural learning, arts and crafts and information and learning series for Aboriginal children, youth and families and those that support them.

Builds bridges, harvests diversity, and fosters integration through service and advocacy. Provides assistance at all stages of the Canadian experience. Delivers a multitude of services in the areas of settlement, employment, health, and housing as well as business, economic, community and social development. Recognized as one of BC’s largest social service providers. Proudly serves communities in the Lower Mainland, Fort St. John and overseas in Taipei, Taiwan and Seoul, Korea.

Employment Counselling and Training Program
Phone:  604-231-3344
Fax:  604-231-0345
Offers employment services to EI clients, the unemployed, or immigrants and services to employers. Programs and services include A Chance to Choose, Employment Program of BC, Foreign Credential Recognition Loan Project, Immigrants in Trades Training Initiative, Job Options BC, Self-Employment Program; Supporting Employers Embracing Diversity, and Youth Employment Program.

Services offered by this branch include disability benefits, employment insurance, labour market information and social insurance number applications. For job searches, see also www.jobbank.gc.ca and www.eluta.ca. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:00pm.

Compassionate Care Benefits
Web site: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/faq/faq_compassionate_care_individuals.shtml#What
These benefits may be paid, up to a maximum of six weeks, to a person who has to be absent from work to provide care or support to a family member who is at risk of dying within 26 weeks. You must show that your weekly earnings from work have decreased by more than 40% and have accumulated more than 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your claim. See online for definitions, forms, and current application processing times.

Employment Insurance (EI)
Web site: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/index.shtml
Provides temporary income support to those who are between jobs, cannot work for reasons of sickness, childbirth, or parenting, or who are providing care or support to a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death.

Aims to provide immigrants who are permanent residents of BC with opportunities to access the resources, support, and know-how necessary to find paid employment in their field of expertise. Assists clients with skill assessment, career counseling and planning, foreign credential recognition, licensing, skill and language upgrading, and workplace practice opportunities to provide them with valuable Canadian work experience. Focuses on all employment sectors: skilled and professional immigrants as well as lesser-skilled immigrants.