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Volunteering to make a difference in Prince Rupert

Everyone can contribute if given the chance. Prince Rupert's Bijoy Paul, a developmentally disabled man, is a shining example of that.
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Bijoy Paul volunteers at the Salvation Army Food Bank twice a week

Everyone can contribute if given the chance.

Prince Rupert's Bijoy Paul, a developmentally disabled man in his mid-20s, is a shining example of that.

Paul is a client of Thompson Community Services and is in the service provider's employment program. The program aims to match disabled individuals with job or volunteering opportunities, with help from a number of job coaches.

Thompson Community Services' Val Wholmes, who leads the employment program, said the aim is to change employers perspectives on hiring people with disabilities.

"If [employers] would give people with disabilities a chance they would find out how consistent, reliable and dependable they are. They could be an outstanding employee to have in a place of business, given the chance," Wholmes said.

"We're on a mission to get jobs for people with disabilities. Even if it's an hour a day, or week, it means something to them. They want real work for real pay, just like everyone else."

Paul has been looking for a job for some time, and took on volunteering at the Salvation Army Food Bank in June. Each Tuesday and Thursday Paul volunteers for an hour, working along with his job coach Wholmes, and said he enjoys his time at the food bank. Each week Paul helps stock shelves, recycle cardboard and assist with whatever else is needed.

Erica Collison, family services at the Salvation Army Food Bank, works with Paul and said he is very committed.

"He's always on time and here every Tuesday and Thursday for the whole duration. He's a good team player," she said, adding she would recommend other groups and businesses hire developmentally disabled individuals.

Sgt. Maj. Ken Copping, who's in charge of the food bank, said he's grateful to have a hard working volunteer like Paul on hand.

"There's many people that feel they have nothing to do or cannot contribute, or are unemployed and think there's no hope. This young man comes in and has a sense of direction," Copping

said.

"For those who can't find work, there's opportunities to volunteer, to have routine in life. Hopefully you acquire some skills or learn new ones when you volunteer," he said.

Wholmes agrees that volunteering allows people to gain the necessary skills to help get employment in the future. Her hope is that the skills Paul is learning at the food bank could help him land a job at a grocery store in the future.

"He's been doing awesome, and does a great job. He looks forward to volunteering each week," she said.