In 2024, our Employment Services team ran a campaign to help more people across New South Wales find meaningful, lasting jobs by Christmas Day. By the end of the campaign, our teams supported 328 participants to secure jobs in a variety of industries.
The ‘Jobs for Christmas’ campaign started in 2023 as an initiative to get people into work before the holiday season. Our team successfully placed 301 participants into employment. Building on that success, we set a goal to support even more people in 2024, ultimately helping 328 participants find work.
“The rising cost of living makes it more important than ever for people to have access to stable, meaningful employment,” says Karen Newman, General Manager – Employment Programs.
“Having a job brings not just financial security but also a sense of purpose. For the communities we work in, these opportunities are essential in addressing bigger social and economic challenges.”
Shane, a participant who registered with Ability Options in May 2021, had limited career goals when he first came to us.
He struggled with his well-being, self-confidence, and was overwhelmed with not knowing what employment path he wanted to take in 2024.
Through this campaign, and with some small hurdles and set-backs with a role opening at Kmart, Shane was supported into his role in November 2024.
Since starting in his new role, Shane has had great feedback from his new mangers on his performance and future growth, with them recognising his potential to grow into a leadership position.
“I am very happy to be in employment, as I have built up my self-esteem, confidence, and am working towards goals that I never thought I would achieve, like going into a leadership role,” he says.
“The support into this role has helped me to also be able to go out and do extra activities with my kids.”
We are deeply committed to supporting local communities. By partnering with businesses across many sectors, we ensure that job opportunities are accessible and relevant to the areas we serve, helping people thrive in their careers.
“The impact of these campaigns goes beyond the number of placements,” says Karen.
“It’s about creating a workforce where everyone has the chance to contribute and be valued. This is especially important in today’s economic climate, where having a job is key to long-term stability.”
As part of our ongoing commitment to giving back, we also raffled off 16 hampers, donated by Woolworths and Ability Options staff, to support families and individuals facing challenges over the holiday season.
These hampers were a small gesture to help ease some of the pressures experienced by those in the communities we serve during this time.
After another successful year in 2024, we remain focused on our core values: respect, inclusion, and empowerment. We are committed to providing people with the support they need to reach their employment goals, and look forward to expanding opportunities in 2025, helping build stronger, more inclusive communities across New South Wales.
