Community Partners
Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities works hand-in-hand with many partners across Niagara to deliver our programs and services and to support and enhance the lives of the people of our communities. Whether a government organization, non-profit or charitable association or a community-based grassroots group, we rely on our partners to help us help Niagara residents in need. And our partners count on us to do the same for them.
Recruitment Support
Our staff members know the employment scene in Niagara and have expertise in matching people to positions whether in paid or volunteer situations.
We can help you with your work force needs with volunteers through our Community Participation program or with paid employees through the Employment Placement program at no cost to you.
Community Participation Program
This component of the Ontario Works program allows participants to volunteer with public or non-profit organizations to satisfy their requirement to take part in employment assistance activities.
We match you with the right person to fill your needs. Whether you have an ongoing need or need volunteers for a single event, the Community Participation program may be able to help you.
Community Participation volunteers may assist you up to 17 hours per week for up to six months with a possible extension of an additional six months. Volunteers may not displace any paid employment in your organization.
We will:
- assess your specific volunteer requirements such as skills and abilities
- post your volunteer vacancies
- recruit volunteers
- provide ongoing support
- cover the costs of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage during the placement
- help participants with the costs of childcare, transportation and other placement-related expenses
For more information on how we can help your organization with your volunteer needs, phone 905-641-9960 and ask to speak with a Community Participation worker.
If you are an Ontario Works participant looking for more information about a Community Participation placement, please speak to your Casemanager.
Employment Placement
Just as we do with organizations needing volunteers, we can provide a range of similar services to you if you are looking to hire paid staff. Our job developers have extensive experience in successfully matching Ontario Works participants with sustainable employment.
We will:
- assess your specific hiring requirements such as skills, abilities and training needs
- post your job vacancies
- prescreen employment candidates
- provide ongoing support including Human Resources follow-up services where requested
- cover the costs of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage during a training period. A claim will not affect your organization's experience rating or premiums.
- link you to training and wage subsidy programs
- you may be eligible for funding for up to six months to help offset supervision or training costs
For more information on how we can help your organization with recruitment for paid employees, phone 905-641-9960 and ask to speak with a Job Developer.
Support Organizations and Resources
Other community sources offer additional help for:
- addictions
- children, youth, families
- education, training, employment
- food, clothing, housing, shelters
- immigrants and multiculturalism
- legal help
- physical disability
Information Niagara can help you search for this information.
