Jaden is a warm and welcome face that visitors may see when enjoying the trails and green spaces at one of Winnipeg’s most treasured gems, Assiniboine Park. Entering his third year of employment with Clean Ventures, Jaden is a familiar friend here at Manitoba Possible and just one of many Manitobans we’ve had the opportunity to grow with from childhood to adulthood.

As a young kid, Jaden and his family were first introduced to Manitoba Possible’s Communication Centre for Children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, tackling communication barriers by learning American Sign Language (ASL). Growing up, he worked with many staff in the organization through programs such as Children’s Service Coordination, adult Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, recreation and leisure, vocational rehabilitation, and now, Clean Ventures. 

“I really like it because it keeps me busy,” he shares.

A social enterprise launched by Manitoba Possible in 2019 with its first client the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, Clean Ventures provides meaningful employment at above industry wages for individuals from many backgrounds: Deaf or hard of hearing individuals, newcomers, and persons with disabilities.  It’s good, clean service. For good.

 Many Manitobans face barriers to employment, and Jaden felt welcomed and accepted as part of the Clean Ventures team working alongside colleagues who value diversity and collaboration. Communication is key for the Clean Ventures team, with several Deaf staff, they’ve set out to eliminate barriers to communicating by teaching ASL to hearing coworkers and creating hand signs for various buildings, tasks, rooms, and more.  

“We are a diverse group and we work together to get the job done,” Jaden says of his colleagues.

Eliminating Barriers

Working with Clean Ventures has eliminated more barriers than just employment for Jaden. Through a partnership between Manitoba Possible, Wawanesa Insurance and the Polo Park Hearing Centre, Jaden was the recipient of new hearing aids right before the holiday season.

Manitoba Possible team member, Judith, accompanied Jaden to fit his new devices, “Immediately, he stopped looking at me for interpretation and carried on a verbal conversation with the technician!  What a sweet moment. He kept saying, “Neat!””

Thrilled about his hearing aids, Jaden shared, “I like the new hearing aids. I can hear lots of things I hadn’t before - like people's accents from different countries.  I can also hear the tone of people’s voices when they speak to me and hear my parents speak. The best thing is now I can enjoy music while cleaning [at work] in my hearing aids connected to my iPhone! They have Bluetooth which is super dope. This has given me new freedom to enjoy things!"

A social enterprise is all about giving back, and Clean Ventures really is good clean service, for good. Through employment with Clean Ventures, Jaden got to take private driving lessons, received an iPad to enhance communication on the job, and has plans for even more development opportunities, too. He’ll soon be studying for his Standard First Aid Course and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System in ASL.

 “Manitoba Possible has three values: collaboration, innovation, and diversity. Clean Ventures compliments all three values. We welcome and learn from each other,” Jaden shared of his team.