There are no barriers here
Our innovative programs help adults living with a variety of disabilities through work, life, social, recreational and employment opportunities.
About WASO
WASO’s mission statement is to improve the quality of life for people experiencing disabilities through innovative training (life, social and vocational), services, advocacy and social opportunities.
WASO has been providing supports to individuals experiencing disabilities since 1981. Over the years, we have expanded our services from one location to six unique sites.
WASO has six different programs that provide a range of support options:
-
Head Office
840 McLeod Ave
Winnipeg, MB R2G 2T7
Karen Goodman Wong:Kathy Labossiere: -
Employment Services
9 - 836 McLeod Ave
Winnipeg, MB
Cam Postma: -
Kingsbury
6 - 1099 Kingsbury Ave
Winnipeg, MB
Anne Arnason: -
Mazenod
Unit 4 - 16 Mazenod Rd
Winnipeg, MB
Scott Johnson: -
836 McLeod
2 - 836 McLeod Ave
Winnipeg, MB
Jessica Careme: -
840 McLeod
840 McLeod Ave
Winnipeg, MB
Judson Smith: -
Regent
9 - 1600 Regent Ave W
Winnipeg, MB
Chantal Johnson:
Featured Spotlight
Carson
Carson currently attends the WASO-Mazenod location. He graduated from Transcona Collegiate in 2021 and anxiously waited for WASO to reopen after COVID. He joined the team in September 2021 and quickly established himself as someone who loves to do variety of jobs and help wherever he can. He’s got a keen eye for detail and a strong opinion on how things should be done.
Carson currently attends the WASO-Mazenod location. He graduated from Transcona Collegiate in 2021 and anxiously waited for WASO to reopen after COVID. He joined the team in September 2021 and quickly established himself as someone who loves to do variety of jobs and help wherever he can. He’s got a keen eye for detail and a strong opinion on how things should be done.
WASO-Mazenod is a community-based day program located in the St Boniface Industrial Park. The program balances a variety of recreational options with in-house contract work (packaging, labeling and light assembly) for various Manitoba businesses.
Carson says his favorite things to do at the program are see his friends, joke around with the staff, be helpful and work hard. Recently Carson expressed interest in learning to use the pallet jack. After some training from Carlos, he has become the go to guy to help move stock as well as load or unload trucks. He’s impressed everyone with his “driving” skills and willingness to help at any time (even during break or lunch). Carson works so hard he can often be found napping while waiting for his ride at the end of the day.
Outside of work, Carson has a variety of interests and pursuits:
In the summer he likes to ride his bike, go on road trips to different beaches in Manitoba as well as go to Gull Lake where he takes boat rides, goes tubing or trail riding on the side-by-side. In the winter he can still be found fishing, riding the snowmobile, or clearing snow on the ATV. When not busy doing all that, he likes to spend time with family and friends, and take his labradoodle Raven for walks. His indoor pursuits are playing games on his computer or Xbox (car racing games) and collect Hot Wheels cars and trains.
Carson says his favorite foods are pasta with meat, hamburgers, and Caesar salad. It makes sense then that his favorite restaurants are Olive Garden and Carnaval Brazilian BBQ (meat sweats!!).
Carson loves to travel and has been to a variety of fun destinations (Wisconsin Dells, California, Florida, and Barbados). His future travel goals are New York, London, and the abandoned railway in New Zealand.
Programming Available
All WASO programs provide a variety of programming options, however, each location has an area of specialty.
Vocational Based Programs
Offer the opportunity to work on a number of different contracts. This provides individuals with the opportunity to try a variety of tasks and improve their skills on jobs involving light assembly and/or packaging. Vocational programs also have a recreational component available to the individuals that attend these sites.
Community-based Programs
Provide support to individuals that are interested in volunteering in the community and taking part in recreational activities available in the city. Both on and off site options are available every week.
Employment Services
Support individuals that are capable of working independently in competitive employment. Individuals are supported in employment preparation, job search and post employment support. All individuals working with ES are invited to take part in MentorAbility and experience a short term mentorship with a professional in a field of their choosing.
Ready to work for your business
Whether you are looking to hire one of our team members or are looking to contract out work, we are here to help.