This award is presented to the Alberta Community Futures office that goes the extra mile to support their clients with disabilities. Criteria for selection is based on year-over-year growth of reported clients with disabilities served plus supports accessed through the Alberta Entrepreneurs with Disabilities platform of programs. This year also saw the introduction of our new Elevate program that offers even more support to this group of clients.
Our winning office tonight has shown incredible tenacity and creativity for their clients and have quite often been “ahead of the ball” in the new Elevate program. They brought us our first Alberta Elevate client and through their capacity building, their strength, and their sheer determination to see their clients succeed … they have been instrumental in launching the first three Elevate-supported businesses in Alberta! This Community Futures office has unknowingly served as part of the business model that has evolved in creating many of Elevate’s program processes as they led the way in defining the program needs. The Business Analyst in this office has led and delivered the EDP programs for this CF and, not only has she surpassed expectations in bringing in new EDO clients, she has become their champion and often brings creative solutions and opportunities to the program.
Accepting this award tonight for the 2016 Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Advocacy Award is Gene Wesley, Manager of Community Futures Lac La Biche.
Congratulations Community Futures Lac La Biche and thank you for your advocacy efforts for our Entrepreneurs with Disabilities!