FEATURE RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 18, 2010

From Painful Past To Promising Future
The 2010 Olympics gives hope and opportunity for Amelia

Surrey, BC - Amelia is a 52 year old Aboriginal woman living in Surrey, British Columbia who looked to the support of the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Aboriginal Bridging Employment Program for Women, one of BC’s largest multi-level social service agencies, to escape years of abuse and drug addiction.

Knowing she needed to make a change, Amelia took the initiative to contact a social worker in Surrey who introduced her to the program where she enrolled immediately. Amelia found it was “hard to adjust to going to school again but I knew I wanted something better for my life.” Amelia spent most of her years as a stay at home mom with little work experience to attending four classes per week taking resume writing, job research, Food Safe and Level A First Aid certification. Amelia’s favourite experience while in the program was a visit to the Vancouver Public Library for a Job Fair organized by S.U.C.C.E.S.S. The job fair had over 15 businesses taking part in providing information and on-site interviews. Using her skills she developed through the program, Amelia talked with several employers at the fair and was immediately offered a job at a food and beverage booth at the Olympic Athletes Village in downtown Vancouver. 

Before Amelia enrolled in the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Aboriginal Bridging Employment Program for Women she had registered as a volunteer for the 2010 Olympics in hopes to be a part of the action. Now, thanks to the program that helped her earn a paid position in the Olympic Athletes Village, Amelia is going to be in the centre of it all. Just recently Amelia attended the venue’s introduction party where she toured the facility, met other staff and received her new uniform. Amelia says she is “very excited about working at the Olympics where I will get to meet lots of people and feel like a part of the games,” and adds “I can’t wait to watch the Olympic hockey games since hockey is my favourite sport.”

Funded by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development, the S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Aboriginal Bridging Employment Program for Women is specifically designed for Aboriginal women, delivered in a culturally sensitive way in order for them to overcome the impact of abuse and make positive changes in their lives. The program includes workshops in personal development, career and education exploration, certificate training, counselling and practicum placement.

Founded in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service providers in British Columbia with over 20 locations and 2 overseas offices. For more info, please visit: www.succcess.bc.ca

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Contact:

Eileen Lao
Public Affairs Manager, S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
604-408-7243
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