Employees' Stories

"Before coming to work at A-Way I had a few experiences of employment in conventional work situations. The work was decidedly menial and at the bottom of the chain: things like cleaning tables and stacking dishes. I felt isolated and unappreciated, and on occasion made fun of by others, including my employer. It was not a stimulating situation and I certainly didn’t look forward to going to work.

What a difference I have found since coming to work for A-Way!

In the first place, the organization was founded to meet the needs of those who because of one disability or another are not able to fit into the standard mold of a fixed schedule, five days a week, rain or shine. Because the administration of the company is done by consumers, you know you will be treated with respect.

With this kind of acceptance, everyone wins and no-one loses. Furthermore, I have found that my physical health has improved significantly for all the exercise, and the stimulus of meeting people and performing a real service has added to my self-esteem.

It’s great belonging to a company where you know by how you are treated that you are being appreciated for the service you perform. It’s satisfying, knowing that I have a reason for getting up in the morning. I have a job of importance to do, and the opportunity to meet somebody new each day!"

– Ted Hynes, A-Way Courier

"After two and a half years working at A-Way, there’s no mistaking the fact I often feel contented. It is a contentment based equally in knowing I belong here and knowing I contribute here."

– Duff Scott, A-Way Courier

"A-Way has been an incredibly supportive workplace. After fourteen years of working for A-Way, I’ve always felt comfortable walking through the front door of the office. A-Way has become a second family to me. I have stayed out of hospital while working here.

It has helped me.
I know it could help others."

– Bonnie Holmes, A-Way Office Staff

"I have been working with A-Way for a year now. I like being a courier because it fits with my strengths and interests. I love the geography of Toronto, I love the TTC, I love the Mike radio-phones and I love meeting new people.

A-Way has made a difference in my life because my work gives me a reason to wake up each morning, look at myself in the mirror and say that I am doing something productive. Working at A-Way makes me feel good about myself, because I am helping other people out by delivering them their packages."

– Joel Schwartz, A-Way courier

"Before hooking up with A-Way Express, my work record was extremely spotty. Indeed I hadn’t worked in 23 years. That’s a long time to be unemployed! On the first three days of my training, I had to be at work at 9:30AM. No mean feat for someone who was used to sleeping in, but I mastered it!

At one time, I was convinced that I would never work again. I had been out of the workforce for so long, and I figured that I lacked the motivation and discipline to rise at a given time, but somehow I tapped reserves I didn’t know I had.

Now I realize that many, if not most of A-Way employees are in the same boat as me, many had spotty work records before coming to A-Way. Most, if not all, still believe in the work ethic in spite of government interference."

– Gary Quarrington, A-Way courier

"Since working at A-Way Express, I have met a lot of wonderful people who are interested in becoming part of a great organization. You can take pride in your work and achieve a lot of satisfaction from your work at the end of the day."

– Stanley Anderson, A-Way Courier

"I had been out of work for a long time and was in low spirits when I started working at A-Way. I had worked for many years in other jobs where people wouldn’t have the patience with me that the folks at A-Way did.

My second day of training, I was asked to come into the office at the end of the day instead of going home. I knew– I really knew for sure– I was such a horrible courier that I was being fired. I worried about it all the way in to the office. I got to the office terrified. When I finally talked to the office manager she wanted to let me know that they felt I had done really well with two days of training and they didn’t think it would be necessary for me to have a third day. Oh my, I couldn’t believe that I wasn’t being fired! They actually thought I was doing a good job!

It makes me so happy that A-Way is a workplace that accepts people."

– Sandi Mansfield, A-Way courier

…And what our employees’ families have to say

"A-Way has enabled our young adult son to be valued for making a meaningful contribution through productive work, and to be valued for who he is. Our son's self-respect and sense of responsibility have improved dramatically since he started working for A-Way.

It is wonderful to see how this positive work experience has translated into success in other areas of his life. Courtesy of being involved at A-Way, our son has developed improved independent living skills, is interacting appropriately with peers, and is becoming an involved citizen who is proud of the work he does and the person he is."

– Julie Schwartz