CCI appointed Manitoba’s MentorAbility hub

Career Connections Inc. has been appointed the new MentorAbility hub for Manitoba, executive director Rushana Davy has confirmed.

The new role, she said, will see the Brandon-based organization co-ordinate a provincial mentorship initiative aimed at improving employment opportunities for people experiencing disabilities.

The appointment positions CCI as the provincial lead for MentorAbility, a Canada-wide program co-ordinated by the Canadian Association of Supported Employment, Davy said in an interview.

“We’ll be facilitating mentorship matches and collaborating with service providers, employers and job seekers across the province,” she said

MentorAbility encourages employers to connect with individuals experiencing disabilities through short, flexible mentorships that range from one hour to a full day. The program does not require employers to offer jobs at the end of the mentorship, a feature Davy said helps remove a major barrier to participation.

“Many employers hesitate because they think there’s an expectation of employment or concerns around liability,” she said. “There’s no obligation for hiring, and all participants are fully covered, so business insurance is not affected.”

The program, which launched nationally in 2019, was previously co-ordinated in Manitoba by Work and Social Opportunities. CCI’s appointment comes during the second phase of the project, which was originally set to conclude in May 2026 but has now been extended to March 31, 2027, Davy said.

CCI is currently embedding MentorAbility into its Brandon operations, with plans to expand across Westman before gradually rolling the program out to the rest of Manitoba, including Winnipeg and southeastern communities.

To mark the launch, CCI will host an official event on Feb. 26 at its Brandon facility. The event is expected to draw at least 50 attendees, including employers, community partners and people with lived experience. Invitations have been extended to Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, local MLAs Colleen Robbins, Glen Simard and Wayne Balcaen, as well as regional business leaders.

Following the formal launch, the organization will host a networking-style “Connections Café,” allowing employers to learn more about the program and how to get involved.

“We’ve been really flabbergasted by the receptivity,” Davy said. “Every employer we’ve met with so far has been supportive and interested in coming on board.”

The launch will also feature a national perspective, with CASE national co-ordinator Richard Cockrem expected to speak about the program’s broader impact, CCI MentorAbility co-ordinator Chantel Mulholland told the Sun.

“The first part of the event will focus on what MentorAbility is and how it works,” Mulholland said. “The second half will be more of a networking opportunity for employers and community partners.”

Mulholland said mentorships can take place in person or virtually and may involve job shadowing, skill demonstrations or simple career conversations, depending on the comfort level of both the mentor and mentee.

“This is about exploration,” she said. “Someone might want to learn more about an industry before deciding if they want further education or a career change.”

MentorAbility facilitator Katrina Casulla said her role focuses on preparing mentees and supporting them throughout the process.

“We listen first,” Casulla said. “Once we understand a person’s goals, we help them prepare — researching the field, developing questions and building confidence before they meet with a mentor.”

Prior experience or formal skills are not required to participate, and the program helps individuals determine whether a particular career path is the right fit, Casulla said.

Davy said another key goal of the initiative is to challenge misconceptions around disability in the workplace.

“There’s still this idea that disability is only physical, or that people need to be spoon-fed,” she said. “Many disabilities are invisible — social or cognitive — and people may not even disclose them. This project is about shifting that mindset and highlighting ability.”

CCI aims to facilitate a minimum of 10 mentorships per month, and the program is open to the broader community, not just existing CCI clients, Davy said. “No formal diagnosis is required to participate.”

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