April Newsletter
Maddie’s Journey: Confidence, Opportunity, and Community Support
There are some local businesses that champion young people and first-time workers in our community. Twice as Nice Thrift Store is one of those businesses. YES has counted on Twice as Nice to provide a training ground for customer service, sorting, display and inventory, and handling cash and POS. We have watched young people gain confidence and skills for the future with the help of Twice as Nice. Empower You(th) client Maddie needed an opportunity and Twice as Nice stepped up. The result was a win-win, for YES client Maddie and for the business.
When Maddie first connected with YES Employment Services, she was actively job searching but feeling stuck. Although she was landing interviews, she wasn’t securing employment, and the repeated setbacks were becoming frustrating. What she needed was focus, confidence, and guidance. She found that in YES Employment Services’ Empower You(th) program.
Through the program, Maddie worked closely with Workforce Empowerment Coach (WEC) Aaron Anders, who supported her throughout her pre-employment training. During Empower You(th), Maddie steadily gained confidence as she participated in 3 weeks of paid employment skills training. The program helped her refocus, build essential soft skills, and develop a clearer understanding of what employers are looking for. She also gained certification in Service Excellence and First Aid, adding valuable credentials to her resume.
The structure of the Empower You(th) program, combined with hands-on support, made a meaningful difference. Maddie benefited not only from skills training and certifications, but also from encouragement, mentorship, and ongoing check-ins that helped her stay motivated and on track. Reflecting on her experience working with Aaron, Maddie simply said, “He’s great,” with a smile that showed the trust and appreciation that had built throughout the program.
Following her pre-employment training, YES Employment Services’ Employer Relations Coordinator team worked to connect Maddie with a paid work placement aligned with her goals. They partnered with Twice as Nice Thrift Store, a long-time supporter of youth employment, to create an opportunity for hands-on learning in retail.
Like many young people placed with Twice as Nice, Maddie started by learning all aspects of retail operations. It quickly became clear that she had a natural aptitude for customer service and cashier work. She embraced her role, connected well with customers, and continued building confidence on the job.
Maddie began her placement just before Christmas 2025, one of the busiest times in retail. By March 2026, her growth and dedication had made a strong impression. Twice as Nice made the decision to extend Maddie’s placement, and she is now working full-time hours, 40 hours per week. Maddie has expressed how much she appreciates the opportunity to continue working with such a supportive employer.
Her success reflects what’s possible when youth are given the right combination of structure, skills development, coaching, and community partnerships. Programs like Empower You(th) exist to create these pathways, and Maddie’s story is a strong example of that impact in action.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Twice as Nice Thrift Store for their continued commitment to supporting young people in our community and offer congratulations to Maddie on her success. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.
Empower You(th) is a dedicated youth program, but we also deliver the Integrated Employment Service program which serves job seekers of all ages and all skill levels. We work with employers in all sectors. If you want personal assistance with your job search, request an appointment here.
On March 1-4th YES was able to connect with exhibitors and delegates at PDAC: The World’s Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention. Northern Ontario was well-represented at the conference as Employer Relations Coordinator Tracy Laffin and Executive Director, Lorna Hunda were thrilled to see some familiar faces; The Honourable Patty Hajdu City of Thunder Bay – Municipal Government, Ontario, Canada and Mayor Ken Boshcoff.
Community Engagement
The Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School Career Fair continues to grow! This year it was held at the CLE Coliseum on March 10th. It was a fun morning meeting the students and exhibitors. See you again next year! Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School
The Red Rock Indian Band and Nipigon Red Rock High School hosted a Regional Career Fair on March 24th. YES enjoyed meeting local students, community members and employers during a busy day of networking!
We talked to almost 400 participants at this year’s Opportunities Northwest Career Fair at the Valhalla Inn on March 26th. It’s always a busy day meeting new clients and employers at this exciting event. Our plinko board got a good workout and so did our voices as we provided information about our programs and services.
Testimonial alert. We are so grateful for all of the local businesses who recognize the value of the programs we deliver. Visit the Employer’s page of our website to read Ryan’s full testimonial. Take advantage of the Employment Ontario programs that can help you recruit, onboard and retain staff! https://yesjobsnow.com/employers/