YMCA welcomes two new employees

YMCA Docklands has welcomed two new employees to its ranks.

Kate McInneny has been working at the YMCA for about six weeks, while Enzo Boza-Sanchez joined the team around three weeks ago.

Both Kate and Enzo have Down’s Syndrome and were employed through a new partnership between YMCA and Job Support.

Job Support works to place people with an intellectual disability into jobs that meet the needs of both the employer and the individual.

Docklands Community Forum representative and YMCA Docklands manager Andrew Ward said he began looking into the Job Support program in January and was now piloting the program as a local initiative.

He said YMCA hoped to lead by example in Docklands and encourage other businesses to partner with Job Support to provide similar opportunities.

“There are plenty of strong, big businesses in Docklands, but most aren’t providing this opportunity,” Mr Ward said. “We’d really like to see big business get behind this program.”

Since YMCA Docklands employed Kate and Enzo, other YMCA branches have also signed up with Job Support.

Job Support worker Anna Harvey said the personal growth gained through having a permanent job was underestimated.

Job Support works on-site with the people it places and assists with training and support until they feel ready to work alone.

Kate and Enzo are employed in frontline support roles, which involve customer service, keeping the gym tidy, maintaining equipment and greeting visitors.

Both Kate and Enzo said they were enjoying working at YMCA.

“I’ve made some great mates,” Kate said.

And Andrew said both Kate and Enzo were already invaluable members of the team.

“Apart from the productive work these guys do, they also bring a lot of positivity with them,” Mr Ward said. “They really lift the spirit of the team.”