Citizenship Is at the Heart What We Do
Our Vision: A community where all individuals are valued citizens deserving respect, dignity and rights.
Our Mission: We support individuals with disabilities and their families in their right to learn and grow in the community. Our services strengthen belonging and encourage and support individual choice and opportunity.
For many of us, citizenship is something we take for granted. It can be defined in many ways, but at its core citizenship is our sense of value and belonging. This sense of citizenship doesn’t always extend to people with disabilities. That’s why Skills Society was formed - to provide people with disabilities with the same opportunities and choices, the same ability to share their gifts and talents, and the same sense of belonging that we all enjoy. Citizenship is what we strive for every day - and it encompasses the following:
Leadership & Participation Highlight - Participation
Abdul’s Story
Abdul outside of the Commonwealth Community Recreation Center
Abdul is an active, kind, and caring person, who contributes to his community as an engaged citizen in a variety of ways. During his four years studying at Grant MacEwan University, Abdul volunteered with the Safe Walk program, an on-call service that assists students walking to their car or transit stations after dark. Abdul explains that he wanted to help people because walking alone at night is dark and sometimes dangerous. He also appreciated the opportunity to meet other students and give back. “Helping people is always joyful”, Abdul shares. Recently, Abdul began working for Action Lab as a Host. While he acknowledges that it’s hard work, he values it, knowing that he is making a difference by ensuring the space is comfortable and welcoming for others.
Abdul engages in various community activities, including attending mosque weekly and exploring his creative side at the Nina Haggerty Centre, where he enjoys creating art and mingling with others. He is also very active in sports, playing on several teams, including soccer, basketball, and softball. When asked what he likes most about participating in sports, he said, “meeting people and working as a team”. As a leader on his teams and in the community, Abdul strives to be a team player with a positive attitude, helping to ensure everyone has a joyful experience and feel included. Recognizing everyone is a leader and steps in at different times, Abdul emphasizes the importance of teamwork in being a good leader: “Not to be working alone, but working with others”.
Abdul also demonstrates strong leadership by being a good listener, creating space for people to share their thoughts and ideas. In December, he attended the Ignite Change Global Convention to advance and promote human rights. Abudl shares that it’s important “to talk about equal rights, to talk about and listen to people’s right to be included and heard”. Abdul hopes for equal rights for everyone and envisions a future where everyone is included, does not experience loneliness, and rich with relationships.
Leadership & Participation Highlight - Relationships
David and Karissa’s Story
Karissa and David in Nashiville for the Sledge Hockey Classic
David is a talented and passionate athlete, a team player, and a leader both on and off the ice. Having played for over 20 years, he is the longest-serving member of his hockey team, the Storm, and has received multiple Most Valuable Player awards and medals. Wearing the Storm jersey is a big source of pride for David.
Karissa joined the team three years ago, marking the beginning of a special friendship. When Karissa joined, David had just started playing a new position, wing, and together they learned how to play this position. Karissa recalls that it was David’s energy and positive attitude that really stood out: “David’s always very encouraging, saying, ‘you’re just figuring it out, it’ll be okay, and just stick with it’, which I appreciate”. David supported Karissa’s growth as an athlete, teaching her more about hockey and boosting her confidence.
Annually, the team competes in the Sledge Hockey Classic tournament. This tournament is particularly special for David and Karissa, because it was during the Classic in Anaheim that they first truly got to know each other. Their relationship quickly grew from teammates to close friends. When Karissa’s previous roommate moved out and she was looking for a new place to live, David’s family had a room available. It worked out beautifully, as David and Karissa enjoy spending time together, making weekend plans, going to the movies, and attending events with their hockey team.
As teammates, friends, and now roommates, David and Karissa share a strong, reciprocal relationship rooted in mutual respect, trust, and playfulness. “I get a lot of support and love, kindness, and opportunity out of my relationship with David”, Karissa shares. Knowing each other deeply, they have developed their own way of communicating with each other, and Karissa often helps bridge communication with those who don’t know David as well. Through her support, David has gotten to know more people and built stronger connections, including with some of his teammates.
David is a relational and charismatic leader, loved and valued by his team. He cherishes any opportunity to spend time with his teammates and contribute to the team. David shares that being a good leader means “staying positive, being committed, showing up, and leading by example”. “He’s someone you can always count on,” Karissa adds.
David and Karissa have some exciting plans for the near future, including moving into a new apartment building and competing in the Sledge Hockey Classic in Dallas, USA.
Leadership & Participation Highlight - Rights
Levi’s Story
Image of Levi taken as part of an interview he did with the Canadian National Housing Strategy about the Future of Home Lab
People’s right to employment is not only an important part of citizenship, but also an opportunity for individuals to share their talents and build meaningful relationships. In 2023, Levi began a new job as a Human Resources Administrative Assistant and has now been in the role for just over a year. When asked what he likes most about his job, Levi said, “the people”. He shares that he has developed strong working relationships with his team and that he feels a sense of belonging and responsibility within his workplace.
Levi contributes his gifts and passions to his workplace in various ways, most notably by fostering a healthy, inclusive work culture. “I get to know people. I try to make it feel like a place where people are welcomed and can be themselves”, he says. Levi emphasizes the importance of a workplace where diverse perspectives are valued. He has advocated for changes in the physical work environment and practices to make them more inclusive for everyone; “they value my perspectives and lived experience”, Levi notes.
Reflecting on leadership, Levi shares that good leaders lead by example, support a healthy work culture that includes playfulness, and focus on relationships. Levi embodies these leadership qualities. With a passion for design and advocacy for people with disabilities, he demonstrates leadership through self-advocacy, sharing his experiences and insights related to accessibility, including government engagements, the Skills Society Future of Home Lab, and his workplace and community. Through his efforts, Levi hopes to foster a better understanding of the need for inclusive communities.
Leadership & Participation Highlight - Belonging
Roberta’s Story
Roberta with her crochet and knitting group
Belongingness can be nurtured through shared experiences, where people come together over a common interest to create a sense of community. Roberta is a kind and warm-hearted person who loves to craft! A few years ago, she became curious about knitting and crocheting, so she took a course and quickly fell in love with crocheting. She has been crocheting for several years, teaching herself through YouTube videos and experimenting with various patterns. While she enjoys making blankets, she likes to switch it up and is currently working on a sweater: “You can never have too many sweaters,” Roberta says, laughing.
This past year, Roberta discovered a crochet and knitting group at a local seniors’ centre. Excited to meet new people, she decided to join. Every Monday, the group gathers for two hours to crochet, knit, and “chit chat about different things”, Roberta shares. Everyone works on their own projects, and Roberta finds the group to be full of wonderful people. Enjoying the camaraderie so much, she also joined a walking group through the centre. Through these groups, Roberta has met people and she feels a sense of belonging: “It makes me feel relaxed and calm”, she shares.
Roberta believes that being a good leader means “being kind to people”, as kindness creates a strong foundation for building relationships and truly getting to know others. “Others realize who I am,” Roberta explains. Roberta demonstrates leadership by being present, showing up as her true self, and bringing kindness to everyone around her.
Leadership & Participation Highlight - Relationships
John & Michael’s Story
Micheal
John and Michael are long-time neighbours and good friends who share a love for new experiences and sports. Often, you’ll find them getting together to watch hockey and football games or over coffee or dinner. Over the years, John and Michael have taken trips together to beautiful destinations like Banff and Jasper. This past year marked a particularly special milestone: Michael’s 60th birthday. To celebrate, they planned a holiday of a lifetime, ticking off a travel bucket list item of Michael’s with a 10-day cruise that stopped at Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.
John
Michael, a fan of old television shows, especially loves “The Love Boat” a 1970s sitcom about the captain, crew, and passengers of a cruise ship. So, to celebrate Michael’s birthday, they decided to take a cruise similar to his favorite show. This was the first time on a cruise for both of them, and they had an amazing time. “If you get a chance, go. You won’t regret it,” John shared enthusiastically. John and Michael enjoyed experiencing the new and different landscapes, including the vast ocean, diverse food, and rich cultures at each port. John, with his deep love for nature, was particularly moved. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life,” he said.
One of the highlights for Michael was meeting the captain and crew of the cruise ship, and chatting about The Love Boat with them. He was thrilled to discover many similarities between the sitcom and their cruise experience. “When people are leaving, they say ‘so long’, just like in the show,” Michael shared. The cruise was also filled with numerous activities, including dinners, shows, music, and dancing, providing plenty of opportunities to meet and connect with other travelers. John and Michael were touched by the friendliness of everyone on board, with many passengers wishing Michael a happy birthday on his special day.
Through their adventures, John and Michael demonstrate how friendships enrich our lives and contribute to our sense of citizenship. By sharing experiences, exploring new places, and connecting with others, they’ve created lasting memories, highlighting the importance of relationships in fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Leadership & Participation Highlight - Participation
Marla’s Story
An important part of citizenship is having opportunities to share your unique gifts and talents with others, build relationships, and experience a sense of belonging. Marla is a bubbly, warm, and friendly person who uses her gifts to connect with others. She loves spending time with people, especially over tea (peppermint tea to be exact). In March, Marla and her roommate Christine started a monthly coffee club. Every first Wednesday of the month, they gather with friends and anyone interested in joining for casual conversations over coffee, sharing new and exciting updates in their lives. Marla believes it is a great way to connect with her friends and meet new people. Known for her great sense of humor, Marla enjoys making others laugh and feel welcome. She feels a strong sense of belonging at coffee club, saying, “I feel safe because the people know you,” which allows her to be her authentic self. Marla, who enjoys cooking and trying new things, even has a future idea for a dessert club where people could get together, bake different desserts, and enjoy them over coffee. Coffee club is just one example of how Marla uses her gifts to foster community and connection, embodying what it means to be a leader.