Announcing “Joining The BUSY Group” on CTV

From the June 26, 2026 broadcast of CTV Your Morning Ottawa: those who have not yet heard the news about LiveWorkPlay joining The BUSY Group, a global nonprofit in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (and now Canada!) got the big reveal! Check out my short interview and the fun images and videos that backed up the story. You can get all of the details of the coming together of these two great organizations right here:

To learn more about The BUSY Group Canada (and of course links to their work in other countries) see below:

The BUSY School Calgary

Welcoming LiveWorkPlay to The BUSY Group

The BUSY Group Employment Services in Niagara

Presenting at the CASE Conference 2026

The team from LiveWorkPlay was honoured to be the first group of presenters to take to the ballroom stage today at the Canadian Association for Supported Employment Conference 2026 “From Insight to Action: Driving Equity in Employment.” Jen Broad, Anna Nelson, Julie Kingstone, and Keenan Wellar delivered an interactive session to an engaged and supportive audience: “Investing in Relationships and Getting Results: How to Build Long-Term Employment Results.”

The highlight of the conference was seeing our nominee Scott MacLellan receive a national award for his advocacy and his career achievements.

Hosting Special Meeting of Members and Joining The BUSY Group

Put this on the short list of “I never saw that coming.” After 31 years of dedicated service to the Ottawa community, we got noticed all the way from Australia, and we are now a part of one of the world’s top nonprofit networks: The BUSY Group! Click here for details.

Hosting Make A Buzz Ottawa, LiveWorkPlay 31st Anniversary

It was an incredible evening, trying out a new format. I was particuarly thrilled that people laughed at my jokes, and most proud of myself for making sure that we kept our promises about the schedule. And of course pulling off the surprise Community Builder Award for Danny Spagnolo in kahoots with United Way East Ontario and Dylan Black!

Strategies for Employment: Preparing, Finding, and Retaining Work

January 27th, 2026 at 7pm EST

Presenters:

Frank Fagan, Assistant National Director, RWA

Keenan Wellar, Co-Leader and Director of Communications, LiveWorkPlay

Finding, keeping, and growing in a job or career can be an important part of our lives. It helps us build relationships and connections, gain self-confidence, and support financial security. In Ontario, the supports available to help people with disabilities find a job have changed, and job seekers and their families need to understand the new Employment Ontario program.

2025: A Quick Look Back At An Unforgettable Year

2025: A Quick Look Back At An Unforgettable Year

Hosting The LiveWorkPlay News at the Festive Family Gathering

This tradition is not going anywhere! The ever-popular LiveWorkPlay news, delivered live in front of the best audience in town.

Panelist at Disability and Work in Canada 2025

This is always one of my favourite conferences. It’s just packed full of “people who get it” who are trying hard to learn from each other to build inclusive communities. We had a great turnout for our session and most importantly, great questions and follow-up conversations.

Panelist at the WE Inspire Conference

Another very busy week for the LiveWorkPlay team was capped off today with a presentation on Just Enough Support as part of the WE Inspire online conference. Over 100 students from 12 different Developmental Services Worker college programs were in attendance. I featured brief case studies about indiviuals we support living their lives to the fullest, like Matt and Gillian!

Panelist for CLO Webinar

I was pleased to join in this webinar “Integrated Employment Services in Ontario: Challenges and Opportunities for Job Seekers with Intellectual Disabilities” hosted by Community Living Ontario represented by Shawn Pegg (Director of Social Policy & Strategic Initiatives) and Ines de Escallon from the Family Support Network for Employment. It was a solid hour with three different perspectives that are closely aligned in supporting positive employment outcomes for jobseekers with intellectual disabilities. The audience fired off some excellent questions and those that could not be answered in the time allowed are receiving a direct follow-up. Shawn and Ines are two of my favourite people so that made it fun too!