Creative Access Employment Society (CAES) and Vancity headlined a recent event hosted by the Vancouver based Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA).
Both were recognised as Champions of Diversity by AMSSA.
CAES delivers the Work BC Employment Program to job seekers in the Courtenay and Comox Valley.
The organization is supporting an inclusive work environment by having access to disabled parking, including braille signs on office doors, meeting rooms and washrooms, implementing adaptive software in the resource centre for visually impaired, hearing impaired and people with mobility issues.
The staff is also specialized to offer support to immigrants, first nations, youth, older workers and person with a disability.
“Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are strong core values of CAES and we have a very friendly and welcoming staff.” said Kathie Landry, the Community Coordinator for Safe Habour.
Vancity’s commitment to diversity is rooted in their corporate culture from front line staff to management.
They have made great efforts to certify all branches Safe Harbour and the Pinetree location has accomplished this by certifying on the Tri-Cities branches.
Vancity also partners with community organizations and the Pinetree location has been the main supporter for the Coquitlam Crunch Diversity Challenge for the previous three years.
The Safe Harbour Program is funded by the provincial government’s Embrace BC program and is an award winning training initiative that builds respect and inclusiveness in 
Since 2004, AMSSA’s Safe Harbour Program has grown from its original home in Nanaimo, BC to over 1000 locations across BC and Canada.
Through Safe Harbour training, people’s awareness towards acting respectfully and creating a welcoming environment is enhanced. 
For more information go to  www.amssa.org.