Founded in April 1983, and incorporated in September 1990, KEYS is a community-based career and employment centre offering a variety of programs and services to job seekers and employers in various communities in Eastern Ontario. As a community-based organization serving a diverse population, KEYS provides counselling to help reduce the stress of unemployment, while continuing to provide the basic tools needed to succeed in one’s chosen career. When we came into existence in 1983, our focus was helping those young people facing the greatest difficulty in the transition from unemployment or from school to work or meaningful training. KEYS remains committed to serving all vulnerable members of our community and we have expanded our role to ensure that everyone in our community get the support they need to fulfill their life goals. Today we have programs and services for adults, youth and students, persons with disabilities and newcomers to Canada. With a staff of more than 60 committed and skilled individuals, we provide the community with a wealth of employment focused programs and services. KEYS is governed by a volunteer board of directors, and receives significant financial support from both the federal and provincial governments. The mindful interplay of staff, funders and volunteers is, at its highest level, truly an act of compassion. Rather, collectively we act from an understanding that compassionate action means working with others in a selfless way, in a spirit of mutual respect.
