At Tootelo, we believe that a company's wealth is also measured by the human diversity that makes it up. Social inclusion of people from all walks of life, including those living with disabilities, is an integral part of our culture. Inclusion guides our actions, molds our environment and lends meaning to our values. By embracing everyone's differences, we are building a more open, humane and richer company.
Bearing this in mind, we present you with the story of our colleague Camille.
Hunched over our screens, working away, selective hearing helps block out much of the chatter going on around us. However, our brains know how to let the most important sounds through, including the clatter of ceramic cups and spoons, which can only mean one thing: Camille is on her way with her cart!
Needless to say, the morning's arrival of our dear barista delights us all. “I've noticed that people wait impatiently for me in the morning, or almost run out when I arrive. People really like the coffee here,” says our young colleague with a laugh. Does she share this love of caffeine? “Not at all! I drank it once in my life, but I really didn't like it. I'm happy to serve it,but I don't drink it,” she confides, adding that she does have a weakness for hot chocolate from Tootelo's "new machine".
Born in Montreal and raised in Boucherville in a close-knit family that includes her younger sisters Charlotte and Juliette, Camille has always been a resilient young girl. At the age of one, she underwent heart surgery, and in recent years has learned to cope with a diagnosis of sleep apnea.
In 2016, she took a year to “prepare for adult life” where, guided by her mother, she learned how to cook, shop, sort mail and more. With these new skills under her belt, Camille was ready to enter the job market head-on. Her first experience: floor clerk at a local pharmacy.
In 2017, she joined Tootelo thanks to a partnership with SDEM SEMO Montérégie (Service d'aide à l'emploi et de placement en entreprises pour personnes handicapées - Employment and job placement service for disabled people) and financial support from SPHERE (Soutien à la personne handicapée en route vers l'emploi - Support for disabled people on the road to employment). Although she had no experience as a barista, Camille said she was up for the challenge. “I'm a hard worker, that's my greatest strength. I really enjoy helping, learning and meeting people,” says Camille.
Over time, in addition to her barista duties, Camille has been entrusted with a variety of clerical tasks that enable her to work alongside different teams. How has her work shaped her personal growth? “Before, I kept everything bottled up inside for fear of disappointing people. I was told I had to manage my feelings and emotions better. I'm working on that and my work here helps a lot.”
The inclusion of people living with a disability in society and in the workplace has positive benefits for both individuals and companies, in addition to reflecting diversity. The concept known as Social Role Valorisation (SRV) is based on a universal observation: people who hold social roles, such as volunteer, employee, neighbour, taxpayer, etc., are perceived positively by those around them and by society in general, and are therefore more likely to have opportunities to learn and realise their potential, to enjoy diverse interpersonal relationships, and thus to benefit from “the good things in life”.
Efforts must constantly be made to ensure inclusion and equity across the province and the country. But Camille considers herself lucky to be working at Tootelo: "Not all young people with disabilities receive a salary where they work. I also know some who feel rejected in the workplace. Tootelo is a really great company, and I couldn't hope for a better job; the people are friendly and trust me,” Camille points out.
The only downside to her job? “I don't like running out of coffee on my morning rounds,” she says with a smile.
