Century 21 has been helping to grow our community and local economy with each family they help find a home. They also provide equal workplace opportunities to locals with unique and diverse abilities.

Around seven years ago, Century 21 became involved with Pathways Abilities Society, after one realtor’s relative with a diversability was on the hunt for employment.

Fast forward to 2018 and their relationship is still going strong thanks to loyal and trustworthy employee, Wesley.

Photo credit: Century 21

Wesley’s weekly tasks include shredding, cleaning, prepping boardrooms for meetings, and helping to keep the Kelowna office neat and orderly, a job he takes great pride in.

“He is very dedicated to his work and doesn’t want to let anyone down, he’s very conscious about his tasks and thorough with them,” said Anna Carbone, a managing partner at Century 21.

“I think it shows a pride and dedication, and for us, it reflects that he cares, he is reliable, and he takes his work seriously.”

Though Carbone has only been with Century 21 for a little over a year when it comes to continuing on the company's collaborative relationship with Pathways, Carbone didn’t hesitate.

Photo Credit: Century 21

“It is an opportunity to give back to the community, and to the people who might have a diversability," says Carbone. "While at the same time an opportunity for us as an employer to bring in someone to help take on tasks that are okay to be delegated."

During his three day work week, Wesley not only completes his tasks but according to Carbone, he boosts office morale by just being around.

“He is a really super friendly, pleasant person to have around," says Carbone. "He always has a smile on his face and is cracking jokes. He adds a lot of positivity.”

To some, a job is just a pay cheque, but to Wesley his position with the real estate agency has been a title he’s worn with pride for nearly a decade now.

“He is very proud of his workplace, he wears his nametag in and out of work, even on his way to work, and it’s nice for an employer to know their employees are proud of their workplace. It also sets an example for others in our workplace,” added Carbone.

Photo Credit Century 21

Though faces come and go quite often in a work environment, according to Carbone, Wesley has always been a constant, and a great teacher to new employees.

“He greets new employees and teaches them the way it works around the office. He even taught me, and now we teach each other. That is the way it should be in any environment,” said Carbone.

Though Wesley has his day to day tasks, he never shies away from trying something new. His team at Century 21 and support workers at Pathways are always there to help if he needs it.

“We introduce the tasks in a way that he can digest and feel comfortable with them. It’s a two-way street. We are respectful of what we are asking and how much we are asking, and Pathways steps in to help make sure things are going smoothly,” said Carbone.

Photo credit: Century 21

“They (Pathways) are a very supportive group of great people. They really do care and are always checking in on how things are going. They do a great job in being conscientious and being an advocate in the community and helping us be an advocate as well,”

“Wesley has been a reliable, consistent, low maintenance employee who has been great for the company culture. Having him around sets a good example for how we as a community should embrace people with diversitbilities.”

This our fourth installment of Heroes of Diversability, which is a series highlighting businesses around Kelowna who have partnered up with Pathways to employ an individual with 'diversability.'

Pathways Abilities Society is a non-profit organization providing services to individuals with diverse abilities in the Central Okanagan for over 60 years. Among the services it provides, Pathways connects local progressive businesses with individuals with diverse abilities, developing customized employment programs that put diverse abilities to work in our community.