In April 2013, PACE client Vincent Steele was nominated for a PDD Leadership Award in recognition of the leadership he shows both in his paid employment, as well as with peers and community members.
Vincent was all set to attend the awards ceremony in June, when the city of Calgary was flooded, and the event had to be rescheduled for September. When the date rolled around the second time, Vincent found himself sick and was unable to attend once again. Instead of simply sticking his certificate in the mail, a representative of PDD came to the DDRC on Thursday, October 10th, to make a formal presentation to Vincent in front of his mother, support worker, other PACE clients, and a group of DDRC employees. The official presentation was followed by a small reception in the DDRC Training Room.
“I was surprised,” says Steele of his nomination. “I felt happy. [The nomination certificate] is hanging on my wall at my house.”
Vincent has been a PACE client for four years, and has recently celebrated his one year anniversary working with the Women In Need Society (WINS). He spends three days a week there, hanging clothes and working the baler, and has even been asked to train groups of volunteers. His coworkers appreciate what a great asset he is to the organization, and his nominator noted that “Vincent’s dedication to his work at the Women In Need Society and his excellent work ethic demonstrates to everyone in his community that people with developmental disabilities have the ability to positively contribute to society through paid employment.”
When he’s not working, Vincent can be found participating in exercise classes at the YMCA, or studying for his learner’s license. “The job he’s at now is in a warehouse, and he’d like to drive a forklift,” explained Vincent’s CRW, Shannon Mills. “If he gets his learner’s, he can take the course, and then he can drive the forklift.” “That’s what I’d like to do,” Vincent chimed in.
Vincent is also an avid wrestling and baseball fan, and has traveled all over North America to watch ball games. Currently, he’s planning a trip to San Diego with his mother to see the Padres play. His favourite team is the Toronto Blue Jays, and he has already been to Toronto to take in a game.
DDRC CEO Helen Cowie congratulates PACE client Vincent Steele on his nomination after the special presentation held for him on October 10, 2013.
