Giving opportunity

Hiring people from all walks of life is part of the Home Depot’s corporate values.

That’s why the hardware store participates in Community Living Thunder Bay’s supported employment program, said store manager Dennis Gilitiuk.

Community Living Thunder Bay supports people with developmental disabilities and the supported employment program helps those individuals find meaningful employment.

Gilitiuk said the drive of the employees they’ve hired through the program is rewarding to see.

“They come here in a very, very positive way with a very, very positive outlook and are very appreciative of the opportunity to give back to the community themselves,” he said Thursday afternoon at an employer appreciation celebration at the Monty Parks Centre.

“It’s just an opportunity for us to allow them to do that in the stores and to be able to support them and teach and train along the way and for them to find out more about themselves and really develop personally,” Gilitiuk added.

“It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”

CLTB acting executive director Sandra Buosi said they have almost 90 businesses participating in the program, which promotes inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.

“It’s really important for them,” she said. “It offers meaningful contributions for the people we support and gives them value and gives something to look forward to, to be able to contribute to our community.”