City up for corporate social responsibility award Wednesday January 18, 2012 -- Natalie Hamilton
The City of Sarnia is in the running for a corporate social responsibility (CSR) award for its mayor’s challenge to provide summer jobs for students who have a disability.
In 2010 Mayor Mike Bradley issued a dare to all Ontario mayors "to do the right thing" and hire people who have a disability, lending his support behind an initiative organized by Bob Vansickle, co-chairperson of the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) and a Community Living Sarnia-Lambton employee.
Bradley considers the nomination alone an accomplishment.
“Whether we win or lose, I consider it a victory,” the mayor tells Community Living Leaders.
“It validates what’s been going on with the city staff to the city and the community,” Bradley says.
During the summer of 2011 the city provided 19 students with jobs. Sarnia has a long history of providing diverse employment opportunities and creating an inclusive workforce.
"He has been a phenomenal advocate," Vansickle says about the mayor.
The city’s human resources staff has provided support on a volunteer basis to employers looking for information and guidance on the opportunities and challenges of hiring youth who have a disability. Sarnia’s vision is to tap into the full potential of the hiring marketplace by including people who have a disability.
"It's a simple philosophy in the community -- no one wins unless everybody does," Bradley earlier told Leaders. “Both the city and the employees win from this. You're giving people a chance to fulfil their potential. Secondly, it's a great benefit to the workforce."
The nomination helps Sarnia raise the profile and show other communities the value of inclusive hiring, Bradley says.
The award recognizes a team, organization or individual who has successfully championed CSR in the organization. The United Way Tri-Hospital Campaign Committee – Trillium Health Centre and Human Resources – Hydro Ottawa are the other finalists.
The awards will be presented Jan. 31 in Toronto.
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