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About Regina Work Prep

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The Regina Work Preparation Centre is a non-profit, charitable, community-based organization specializing in helping people look for, find and maintain work.  We have served Regina and the surrounding area for more than 50 years.

Our Story

Many years ago, in 1973, Work Prep was born as a vocational rehabilitation arm of Regina Social Services.  It was then that Work Prep developed a work placement program known as REAP—the Regina Employment Assistance Program.  Soon after in 1975, the Contemporary Women’s Program (CWP) also began.  CWP was a breakthrough program for the women of Regina wanting to make healthy changes in their lives.  Women transitioned to treatment programs, counselling, stability programs, education and to employment.

Years later, in 1984 as part of the Welfare reform, the Ministry of Social Services launched new initiatives to provide opportunities for Social Service recipients to get work and training.  As a result, it was determined that Work Prep was no longer needed. However, this did not last long, and soon after, it was quickly apparent that a large number of individuals were not immediately ready for work and training, and instead required pre-employment services to assist them in moving forward.  As a result, Work Prep was contracted to deliver these services, and amalgamated the REAP and CWP programs to incorporate as a not for profit aimed at delivering services to clients experiencing challenges on their journey to employment.  We have been doing so ever since.

Over the last four decades, Work Prep has served over 20,000 individuals in Regina and surrounding area.  We pride ourselves in being client centered, and as a result are always committed to reviewing our services to ensure that they best meet the changing needs of our clients, the economy, and the labour market.   As a result, we have a diverse history of program delivery.

Read Our Complete History

Our Spirit

Reality Therapy/Choice Theory (RT/CT) has been a foundational counselling tool at Work Prep for many years. The RT/CT approach to counselling and problem solving focuses on a person’s here-and-now and his/her ability to create and choose a better future. Clients are encouraged to discover what they really want and to examine if they are currently choosing to do things that will help them reach their goals.  Read more about Choice Theory and Reality Therapy here:  hthttps://wglasser.com/what-is-choice-theory/

In 2012 Work Prep began exploring Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a complementary technique to RT/CT. MI is a goal-oriented, client-centered counselling style for eliciting behavior change by helping people explore and resolve ambivalence. MI helps people identify the internal motivation within themselves to tap into their own personal motivators for behavior. MI is now also a foundational counselling tool at Work Prep.  Read more about Motivational Interviewing here:  http://empoweringchange.ca/motivational-interviewing/

Our Team

Shayla Stephenson

Shayla Stephenson

Executive Director

sstephenson@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 222

Shayla joined the Work Prep team in 2022, after working in mental health and addictions for several years. Shayla has a passion for non-profits and the amazing work they do in the community so making the transition to Work Prep felt right.
Shayla hopes to foster a positive and safe space for individuals to come and meet their career goals and is grateful to be apart of those journeys.
Some of Shayla’s favourite things include her dogs, coffee, flowers and travelling!

Nadeema Omar

Nadeema Omar

Team Lead

nomar@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext.223

Nadeema joined the Virtual Reality VR team in 2023, bringing with her a decade of experience as a multicultural professional in the non-profit sector. She‘s a problem-solver who can build relationships like nobody’s business. In her previous roles she honed her leadership skills, which include empathy, integrity, and diplomacy. Nadeema is passionate about empowering others and driving growth in the labour market in Saskatchewan. She‘s super excited to use immersive technology to help job seekers find their next steps! Together with the Work Prep Team, her mission is to build Saskatchewan’s workforce, one person at a time.

When she’s not in a VR headset, connecting with the VR team or jumping into a new project at work, Nadeema is a wife to an amazing husband and a mom to two incredible little humans.

Larissa Kwasnitza

Larissa Kwasnitza

Interim Team Lead

lkwasnitza@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 224

Larissa is our versatile Jane of all trades. Larissa first came to Work Prep as a client in 2009 while she was transitioning out of a career in the trades. She joined our team as a receptionist and then worked for years performing administrative reporting. She now has the pleasure of meeting with anyone who is interested in our services at Regina Work Prep. Having experienced Regina Work Prep from the client side, Larissa is passionate about supporting and motivating each and every person she works with. Outside of work you’ll find Larissa hanging out with “the funniest kid on the planet”, her daughter.

“I can completely relate to anyone who walks through our doors. It’s important for people to know that they’re not alone and that we are here to help!”

Monique Webley

Monique Webley

Financial Coordinator

mwebley@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 229

Melva MacDonald

Melva MacDonald

Intake and Service Navigator

mmacdonald@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 233

Melva first came to Regina Work Preparation Centre as a client. She then devoted over 20 years to the organization as an administrative coordinator. Melva has moved into an intake service navigator role where she treats every person who comes through the doors with an unrivaled warmth. She loves meeting new people and the aspect of working one-on-one with them.

“My number one focus is making our clients feel welcome, valued, and heard."

Alyssa Keulen

Alyssa Keulen

Case Manager

akeulen@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 226

Alyssa became a part of the Work Prep team in 2023, as a case manager for the Job Launch program. For the past decade, she has used her education in teaching as a tool to help clients with varying abilities and needs. This has been a gateway for Alyssa to move into social work, as she has a passion for helping individuals flourish. Alyssa works to create a safe and welcoming space where people can feel comfortable when asking for help. When not at work, Alyssa enjoys spending time exploring the world with her dog, practicing yoga, and cooking.

Kim Merasty

Kim Merasty

Case Manager

kmerasty@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 232

Tracy Tomlinson

Tracy Tomlinson

Case Manager

ttomlinson@workprep.ca
757-9096 ext. 234

Case Manager
Tracy has worked at a number of non-profit organization with a focus on adult education and joined the Work Prep team in 2015. As a case manager, Tracy loves working with her clients who teach her something new every day. Tracy is a daredevil with a love for skydiving, a feat she’s managed 15 times.
“My goal is to give people a purpose and to help them realize their own potential.”

Daniel Cronan

Daniel Cronan

Virtual Reality Marketer

dcronan@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 231

Dan Cronan is a VR Marketer with Work Prep, bringing a uniquely blended background in both the technology field and human services sector. He has a passion for working with individuals and organizations alike, helping to bridge gaps with Virtual Reality, be it helping a person discover career paths they might not otherwise consider, or assisting organizations with unique training tools through simulations.
Outside of Work Prep, you can find Dan with his head in a book or reading up on the latest and greatest in technology. He also loves hiking, roller blading, and spending time with his family.

Aafrin Merchant

Aafrin Merchant

Virtual Reality Marketer

amerchant@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 223

As a VR marketer, Aafrin find endless fascination in exploring the vast potential of virtual reality and pondering its countless applications. With a professional background rooted in advertising agencies, she thrives on crafting innovative marketing strategies that captivate audiences and drive results. Her journey is fueled by a deep-seated belief in the power of creativity, coupled with an insatiable appetite for learning across diverse areas.

Beyond the confines of the office, you’ll often find her indulging in her passion for culinary adventures, eagerly sampling the flavors of various cuisines or experimenting in the kitchen. While she may be a novice sketch artist, she relishes the journey of self-improvement and artistic expression. Though she may not be the most avid reader, her thirst for knowledge finds its outlet through podcasts, where she delves into discussions on the complexities of life and society. And on those rare days when inspiration eludes her, she embraces the simple joy of staying cocooned in bed.

Central to her ethos is the value of giving back to society and serving as a beacon of motivation for others. She is deeply committed to achieving exceptional results and making meaningful contributions to Work Prep’s success through creative problem-solving and strategic thinking. Outside of work, her sanctuary lies in the kitchen, where she finds solace in the act of cooking and cherishing moments with loved ones.

Sajida Parveen

Sajida Parveen

Group Facilitator/ Case Manager

sparveen@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 237

Sajida joins our team with over 15 years of experience in Academic and Career Development fields in a cross-cultural setting. Sajida loves working with clients in a respectful, professional and helpful manner. When she is not at Regina Work Prep Center, you can find her spending time with her husband, listening to music, cooking or taking care of her plants.

“My focus is to empower my clients to discover and pursue a path to a fulfilling career”

Viktoriia Ugnivenko

Viktoriia Ugnivenko

Computer Trainer and Computer Resource Centre Facilitator

vugnivenko@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 235

I am very fortunate to be able to have a job where I can come to work every day and do two of the things I am most passionate about: computers and teaching. I love working with computers, especially Excel and teaching is in my blood. Both my parents were teachers. So the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. I really enjoy teaching others and I always try to find a way to make things more interesting and fun for our clients. I love when I see their faces light up with a sense of accomplishment as they start to understand something or create something beautiful with their new acquired skills. I hope my passion and way of teaching continues to help inspire people to learn.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." — Confucius

Sharon Ledoux

Sharon Ledoux

Program Support Coordinator

sledoux@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 236

Sharon originally joined our team temporality, but we just couldn’t let her go! She wears a variety of different hats at Work Prep and can take care of almost anything that gets thrown her way. Sharon is a big-time movie lover, and even has a background in film production.

“I really enjoy it here. The people are great!”

Ashley Belsey

Ashley Belsey

Admin Assistant

abelsey@workprep.ca
306-757-9096

Arpita Patel

Arpita Patel

Employment Skills Facilitator

apatel@workprep.ca
306-757-9096 ext. 225

Arpita joined the Work Prep team in 2022 as an Employment Skills Facilitator with 6+ years of experience in various areas of Information Technology. She comes with expertise in educating computer technology subjects to the people of diverse backgrounds and culture. Arpita has a passion for helping people in the community by providing vocational services that utilize digital technology to help build their career. She is committed to working with empathy and attentiveness to create and maintain a positive public space for all individuals who walk through our door.
“I believe in helping people in need and it gives me a great pleasure to assist with solving problems, by guiding and helping clients with the use of digital technology in building their dream career.”

Fatimoh Bada

Fatimoh Bada

Cleaner
Regina Work Preparation Centre@ReginaWorkPrep
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