Meet Robbie Gallipeau

Malawka resident, Robbie Gallipeau, was placed by SMART CL and works with two Sicamous job coaches in his job at Yard Creek. (Photo courtesy SMART CL)

Meet Robbie Gallipeau, a 19-year-old Malakwa resident with an infectious smile and a ton of enthusiasm for life, learning, music, and finding his place as an adult in his community.

Robbie has a learning disability and graduated from Eagle River Secondary High School in June 2009. He then connected with an organization called SMART CL (Sicamous Malakwa Adult Resource Training and Community Living) that matched him with a local employer where Robbie could broaden his experience and build his practical skills. Robbie was the organization’s first client placement.

SMART CL is a newly chartered (2009) charitable society, with a mandate to assist young adults with disabilities to access independence through meaningful employment that will enable them to gain knowledge and skills, thereby enabling them to find a satisfying place in the community.

The organization cultivates relationships with local employers, seeks government and non-government funding to raise funds for job coaches, does/will advocate on behalf of clients, and offers any other service needed by individual clients.

Many clients require a job coach to accompany them to their place of employment. SMART CL seeks qualified people who have a certificate, diploma or equivalent experience with disabled persons. Job coaches must have first aid, a valid drivers license, a vehicle with $2 million liability insurance, and a criminal record check. Job coaches transport clients to/from the jobsite, train, supervise, mentor, ensure job completion/safety, but most importantly are a supportive co-worker.

The relationship that develops between client and coach is a close one and fun must definitely be a part of the experience for both. The employer pays the client and SMART CL pays the job coach.

SMART CL placed Robbie with a local employer, Yard Creek Campground, for the summer months and hired two job coaches from Sicamous to job share. The young man worked 12 hours per week for 16 weeks, with great enthusiasm, as you can see in his picture. He was very proud of his summer job and very happy with Yard Creek’s job evaluation which was filled with positive comments about him and his coaches.

Robbie used the money he earned last summer to attend a post-secondary course for adults with disabilities at Okanagan College and has been studying hard since September 2009. Oh yes, Robbie loves being a ‘College student’ and hopes to be able to return to Yard Creek Campground again this summer.