News

Join Us For Games Night!

April 30, 2026

Come join us for a fun and relaxed Games Night! Bring along your favourite board games or card games or just come and enjoy playing with others. It’s a great chance to unwind, connect, and have some laughs. Light refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome—we hope to see you there!

Event Details

• Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
• Time: 6 pm – 8 pm
• Location: Empower Kitchen

Please register here: Games Night Registration Form

Learning Session: How To Use the MyGovNL Website

April 30, 2026

Empower is offering a free information session to help you learn how to use the MyGovNL website. MyGovNL is a secure online account that lets you access many Newfoundland and Labrador government services in one place, such as renewing your MCP card, updating your address, and checking important information.

This session will use plain language and step-by-step demonstrations. We will discuss online safety, account creation, and website use with accessibility in mind. Members of all abilities are welcome, and we will take time to answer questions.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
• Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 PM
• Location: Empower – 4 Escasoni Place

Please register here: How to use the MyGovNL Website Registration Form

Learn About Healthy Boundaries

April 29, 2026

Learn about boundaries in a simple and practical way. This session will help you understand what boundaries are, why they matter, and how to set them in your daily life. We’ll talk about how to communicate your needs clearly and respectfully, and how to recognize and respect other people’s boundaries. It’s a supportive space to build confidence and strengthen your relationships.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Empower Kitchen
Register Here: Healthy Boundaries Registration Form

May Peer Support Group

April 29, 2026

This month, we will be speaking with a Dietitian. This is a chance to discuss your eating habits, health goals, and any concerns about food or nutrition. The dietitian will listen, ask questions, and offer practical advice that fits your lifestyle. You can learn how to make healthier choices, manage medical conditions, or build better habits—without judgment. It’s all about finding what works best for you.

Event Details
Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Register Here: May Peer Support Registration Form

We’re Hiring! Inclusion Crew Coordinator (Summer Student)

April 28, 2026

Position: Inclusion Crew Coordinator (35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks) *Pending Funding

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Eligible Participants must:

• Must be entering or returning to post-secondary training in the upcoming academic year or must be currently enrolled in high school – level I, II or III or moving from the intermediate level (Gr. 9) to Level I in September 2026; and
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Not be an immediate family member of the employer
• Students must apply directly to the employer.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for jobs at Empower

Expectations:

The candidate will have good Communication and Organization Skills.

It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs of a diverse population; respects the confidentiality of consumers; is committed to a team approach; demonstrates flexibility.

For more information on Independent Living, please visit our web site at www.empowernl.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Recruit and organize volunteers for Inclusion Crews to provide supports at festivals, concerts, & events
• Encourage Volunteers and Empower members to take part in planning and providing supports at these events.
• Provide support in Inclusion Awareness Training for event volunteers.
• Ensure events are fully accessible.
• Complete other office and administrative related duties.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
• Experience with computers; Word processing, Internet, Excel, Power Point
• Experience Coordinating events; organizational abilities
• Great Interpersonal Skills; able to work with and without supervision; respects the confidentiality of consumers
• Self-starter, enthusiastic

Please apply by email. Send resume and cover letter to: kathy@empowernl.ca

Please ensure you quote job title “Special Events Coordinator” in subject line of email.

Application deadline is Friday, May 15th, 2026

Start Date: July 6th, 2026

We’re Hiring! Advocacy Services Assistant (Summer Student)

April 28, 2026

Position: Advocacy Services Assistant (35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks) *Pending Funding

Responsible to: Advocacy Services Manager

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for jobs at Empower

Eligible Participants must:

• Must be entering or returning to post-secondary training in the upcoming academic year or must be currently enrolled in high school – level I, II or III or moving from the intermediate level (Gr. 9) to Level I in September 2026; and
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Not be an immediate family member of the employer
• Students must apply directly to the employer.

Expectations:
A person with good communication skills and an understanding for the need of confidentiality.

It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs of a diverse population; respects the confidentiality of consumers; is committed to a team approach; demonstrates flexibility.

For more information on Independent Living, please visit our web site at www.empowernl.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Assist Empower’s Advocacy coordinator with daily tasks related to the Advocacy Program.
• Take inquiries from consumers.
• Schedule and reschedule appointments for the Advocacy Coordinator.
• Assist in scanning and faxing materials to government agencies on behalf of consumers.
• Assist in filling out applications for consumers for government programs.
• Assist in preparing for presentations and meetings.
• Filing and other office tasks.
• Assist with notetaking during appointments with consumers.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
• A student in either social work, nursing or any social science degree program that would want to learn the skills related to advocacy and frontline consumer service
• Great Interpersonal/Communication Skills, Helping skills, and Problem Solving skills
• Able to work with and without supervision; respects the confidentiality of consumers
• Self-starter, enthusiastic

Please ensure you quote job title “Advocacy Skills Assistant” in subject line of email.

Please apply by email: joby@empowernl.ca

Application deadline is Friday, May 15th, 2026

Start date: July 6th, 2026

We’re Hiring! Gardening, Landscaping & Maintenance Assistant (Summer Student)

April 28, 2026

Position:
Gardening, Landscaping & Maintenance Assistant (35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks)

Responsible To:
Empower Member Services Coordinator

We encourage persons with disabilities to apply for positions at Empower

Eligible Participants shall:

• be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment and
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

This job is funded by the Federal Government, through the Canada Summer Jobs Program for Youth.

Expectations:
The ideal candidate will enjoy working outdoors as part of a team.

It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs; is committed to a team approach; and demonstrates flexibility.

For more information on Independent Living, please visit our web site at www.empowernl.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Assist members and volunteers who are involved with gardening activities;
• Coordinate annual Spruce-up, a peer support event involving members and gardeners;
• Perform maintenance tasks for the building (changing light bulbs, moving equipment, etc.) and garden (mowing, planting, weeding, etc);
• Other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
• Strong organization skills
• Ability to work with and without supervision; Ability to work as part of a team; Respects the confidentiality of consumers.
• Self-starter, enthusiastic

Please apply by email. Send resume and cover letter to: amanda@empowernl.ca

Please ensure you quote job title “Gardening, Landscaping & Maintenance Assistant” in subject line of email.

Application deadline is Friday, May 15th, 2026

Start Date: July 6th, 2026

We’re Hiring! Annual BBQ Coordinator (Summer Student)

April 28, 2026

Position:
Annual BBQ Coordinator (35 hrs/wk for 8 weeks)

Responsible to:
Member Services Coordinator

Eligible Participants must:

• be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment and
• have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations

This job is funded by the Federal Government, through the Canada Summer Jobs Program for Youth.

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply for jobs at Empower

Expectations:
The candidate will have good Communication and Organization Skills.

It is expected that the incumbent will adhere to, practice and promote Independent Living philosophy and principles; apply practical common sense; is sensitive to, respectful of and understands individual needs of a diverse population; respects the confidentiality of consumers; is committed to a team approach; demonstrates flexibility.

For more information on Independent Living, please visit our web site at www.empowernl.ca or search “Independent Living Philosophy” on the internet.

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Plan and Coordinate events such as the Annual Empower Membership BBQ
• Encourage Volunteers and Empower members to take part in planning these events.
• Obtain donations from business community.
• Ensure events are fully accessible.
• Complete other office and administrative related duties.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of or experience with disability issues
• Experience with computers; Word processing, Internet, Excel, Power Point
• Experience Coordinating events; organizational abilities
• Great Interpersonal Skills; able to work with and without supervision; respects the confidentiality of consumers
• Self-starter, enthusiastic
• Access to vehicle would be an asset but not a requirement

Please apply by email. Send resume and cover letter to: amanda@empowernl.ca

Please ensure you quote job title “Annual BBQ Coordinator” in subject line of email.

Application deadline is Friday, May 15th, 2026

Start Date: July 6th, 2026

Free Menstrual Products Available

April 27, 2026

EmpowerNL is grateful to report that we have received our first shipment of menstrual products from Food Banks Canada!

Through our membership in Independent Living Canada, we are excited to participate in the Menstrual Equity Fund (MEF), a national pilot project led by Food Banks Canada and supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada, to address period poverty in Canada.

Period poverty can cause significant health, school, work, economic and social impacts, many of which can be even harder with a disability. Menstrual products are a basic need. The MEF will help make sure everyone has what they need to manage their periods with dignity.

Any EmpowerNL members in need of period products may drop in and see Nina on Tuesdays or Thursdays. If you can’t make it on either of those days, please call Nina at 709-722-4031 or email Nina@EmpowerNL.ca to arrange another time.

(We currently have sanitary pads only; we are awaiting a shipment of tampons. We will update when they are received.)

Volunteer Spotlight on Paul Morgan!

April 24, 2026

Our final volunteer spotlight is Paul Morgan!

Paul has volunteered with EmpowerNL for about 25 years! He is also on the Garden Committee and used to be on our Technology Advisory Committee years ago. He is the Chair of our Board and has sat in on staff and summer student interviews in this capacity. He has previously volunteered with the CNIB, the Hub and the CCB.

About his life, Paul says “I have been blind since I was born. I went to public school, then they realized I couldn’t see and sent me to the Halifax School for the Blind. That is where I learned and became part of the community. I used to swim, play sports, and go to the gym, and I learned all about braille and how to type. That is about 60 years ago. Then I came back to Newfoundland and worked at many different jobs, including CNIB and the phone company. During this time, I met my Wife and happily married for 30 years now.” He currently enjoys audio books, reading Braille, swimming and other recreation activities in his building. He also loves playing cards with the Braille cards he created.

Paul agrees that volunteering has had a positive impact on his life, saying “I have more knowledge about cross-disabilities, and I am more active in my community, attending events and keeping me engaged with the community at large.”