July Newsletter

Russell Hones his Auto Body Skills at Mileage Auto Plus

We caught up with Russell as he worked on the fine detail bodywork of a boat in the shop. Having practically grown up in an auto body shop, Russell was clearly in his element.  “This is where I’m at home,” he said, speaking about his new position with Mileage Auto Plus.

Russell is no stranger to meeting challenges head-on, and he’s been coming to YES for support since he was a teenager. Now 36, he’s focused on building a future in the field he loves. With a baby on the way, he and his partner are looking forward to the next chapter in their lives, and Russell credits his Employment Coordinator, Annie Pepin, for connecting him with a position that aligns with his career goals.

“Working with Annie was absolutely wonderful,” Russell shared, explaining how YES quickly connected him with a much-needed opportunity. With extensive experience in industrial painting, and a background in auto body work, detailing, and finishing, Russell was clear about what he was looking for. Annie got to work, finding a position that would allow him to hone and build on his skills.

YES’s Employer Relations team regularly connects with local employers to match job openings with qualified candidates, creating a steady pipeline of opportunities. Annie consulted with Employer Relations Coordinator Matthew White, who immediately thought of a position at Mileage Auto Inc. He had recently spoken with owner Leon Giardino, who was eager to fill the role.

Annie reached out to Leon, who was excited to meet Russell, and the connection was a success. Russell was offered the position, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

As he admires his work on the boat, Russell is grateful to have found a job that supports his growing family and builds on his extensive experience in the auto body field.

Congratulations, Russell! And thank you to Mileage Auto Inc. for providing meaningful, ongoing opportunities for YES clients.

Personal assistance to pursue your career goals is free through Employment Ontario programs. Request an appointment online, call or visit to get started.

Staff Appreciation

It was a beautiful afternoon on Monday June 23rd as the YES crew got together for our staff appreciation. Thanks to the good folks at Montana’s for your hospitality and for providing opportunities and training to so many of our clients. Finally, thanks to our leadership team for recognizing all of us with food and fun. Cheers to continued success!

Mining Day 2025

The Mining Day event at Marina Park gets bigger and better every year. This year, we welcomed over 250 guests to our booth to share information about our programs. June 14th was a sunny day and there was a steady stream of visitors throughout the day which started at 10am and went until 4pm. There were stations to pan for gold, metal detectors to find treasures in sawdust fields, and geological information and displays. Thanks to the community members who came out and to those who stopped to blow some bubbles and enter our contest. See you next year!

Community Engagement

Thanks so much to Katie for asking YES to join Lutheran Community Care’s outreach team at Spence Court on Friday June 6th. It was great meeting all those who dropped by including Gordon (right). Lutheran Community Care