Barrhead &Districts Co-op has been honoured with the Alberta Association for Community Living’s Community Living Award.
The award is given annually to individuals, businesses and organizations that promote the concept and spirit of community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
The Co-op was nominated in March by local residents Ray and Aurelia Spronk, whose son Andrew works there.
The Spronks felt their son, who has Down’s Syndrome, has not only been treated as a valued employee, but has continuously received on-site support and mentoring in a natural manner whenever he required it.
Members of Barrhead Co-op received the award at the Alberta Association for Community Living Family Conference April 11 at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton.
Aurelia spoke at the presentation, congratulating Barrhead &District Co-op on demonstrating they are a place of employment for all individuals. When Andrew was looking for a job 10 years ago, she said, he was welcomed as an employee.
“We thought he would probably require a support staff to help him learn the job and the expectations placed on him,” said Aurelia. “But the Co-op decided they would like to give Andrew the responsibility of working on his own and they, as a staff would provide on-site support and mentoring as needed in a natural work setting.”
From personal experience, Aurelia said she feels the Co-op has respected Andrew as an equal to all his work peers. He is embraced as a valued employee, she said, and is held accountable for working to his potential.
“I think the thing I appreciate the most, as a parent, is that Andrew is part of the team on the same basis as everyone else,” she said. “Not excused, not set apart, and not treated differently because of a label.”
Andrew, who just earned his 10 year service award last Christmas, had a few words to say himself about his time as a Co-op employee.
Although he has made mistakes along the way, Andrew said he has learned from each of them. He also has lots of “aunties” at work to keep him in line, and appreciates each of his supervisors.
“I enjoy my work at Barrhead Co-op with all the staff. I love to go to work every day,” he said. “Every day is an awesome day.”
