ABL’s “A Better Life Award” recognizes an individual who has made an active outbound effort to create a better life for themselves and the people in their lives.
It is not just a “good job” pat on the back but rather an affirmation of positive action and accountability. While ABL is a part of this, these inspiring stories are truly about people who have influenced their own situation to create A Better Life. Learn more about how an ABL employee can become eligible to be nominated for the “A Better Life Award” here. You can watch the video about our very first Award Recipient, Tracy C, here.
Hundreds of nominations are made every year for actions both big and small, around a dozen are presented to the entire ABL team to vote on to determine the 3 “finalists”. Those 3 stories are then shared with our clients, community partners, and the general public, who are asked to select their favourite story. We’d like to thank you for taking the time to read these wonderful stories as told proudly by the local ABL staffing team.
Felix’s Story:
Felix came to Canada from Ghana with a simple but powerful goal: to find safety, opportunity, and a chance to build a better life. Arriving without family or a support network, he faced the challenge of adapting to a new country, culture, and system while doing everything he could to support himself. Like many newcomers, Felix struggled most with finding stable work: an essential first step toward independence and belonging in his new community.
Despite uncertainty and setbacks, Felix never gave up. Through ABL Employment, he was given an opportunity to work, and he made a promise to himself to make the most of it. From the very beginning, Felix showed up early, worked hard, and remained committed to learning and improving every day. His dedication did not go unnoticed. ABL’s client teams describe Felix as punctual, communicative, eager to learn, and a pleasure to work with. His positive attitude and strong work ethic have earned him the trust and respect of both his coworkers and supervisors.
Today, Felix represents what the A Better Life Award is all about: resilience, gratitude, and the determination to move forward despite challenges. With the stability and confidence he has gained through his work, Felix continues to focus on building his life in Canada and contributing positively to his community. Recognizing Felix with this award would celebrate not only his hard work and perseverance, but also the meaningful impact that opportunity, trust, and determination can have on someone’s life.
“Through ABL, I was able to start working and prove that I am reliable, hardworking, and committed. From the beginning, I made it my goal to always show up on time, work hard, and give my best effort every day because I know opportunities like this can change someone’s life.” – Felix
Sarah’s Story:
Before connecting with ABL Careers, Sarah was facing one of the most difficult periods of her life. She had been applying for jobs for over a year, sending out more than 1,000 resumes. Despite her persistence, she received only a handful of responses. Her Employment Insurance had run out, savings were dwindling, and she was beginning to lose hope.
As time went on, Sarah expanded her search out of necessity, applying for roles far outside her experience, from junior administrative work to receptionist roles and even entry‑level positions in entirely different fields. She registered with multiple staffing agencies but received little follow‑up, and the constant silence left her feeling discouraged and overlooked. At one point, Sarah feared she would be forced to leave Toronto altogether, simply because she could no longer afford to stay.
Everything changed when Sarah came across an ABL job posting for a Logistics Coordinator: the exact field she had experience in and the career she genuinely wanted to continue. ABL responded quickly, and from her very first interaction, Sarah felt supported and seen. She was soon introduced to an employer and brought on to cover a maternity leave in a customer‑facing logistics role.
From the start, Sarah excelled. She worked hard to learn systems and procedures, communicated clearly and consistently, and took on every challenge with a positive attitude. Her professionalism, reliability, and warm personality helped her integrate seamlessly into the team, where she earned the trust and respect of colleagues, customers, and carriers alike.
What began as a temporary placement soon became something far more meaningful. Sarah’s performance was so strong that the client company she was assigned to made the decision to offer her a permanent position, not wanting to risk losing her. The role gave Sarah stability, renewed confidence, and a sense of belonging she had been searching for during those long months of uncertainty.
When she received the news, Sarah expressed that ABL had truly changed her life. Today, she sees the position not just as a job, but as a long‑term home and a career she hopes to grow in for years to come.
Sarah’s journey is one of perseverance through rejection, resilience in the face of financial and emotional strain, and renewed hope when opportunity finally arrived. Her story embodies the heart of the A Better Life Award: proof that with the right support and a chance to be seen, someone on the brink of giving up can find stability, purpose, and a brighter future.
Arshdeep’s Story:
Arshdeep arrived in Canada in 2023 with determination, ambition, and the hope of building a better future. Like many newcomers, he believed that education and hard work would lead to opportunity. Instead, he was met with long months of unanswered job applications, uncertainty, and growing self‑doubt. Without a sense of stability or support, Arshdeep began to question whether his dream of building a life in Canada was still possible.
At his lowest point, Arshdeep reached out to ABL Employment — a decision that became a turning point. His first opportunity was a one‑day assignment, but that single shift made a powerful difference. It gave him his first Canadian work experience, restored his confidence, and reminded him that his skills and efforts had value. More importantly, ABL provided consistent encouragement, guidance, and trust when he needed it most.
Arshdeep’s journey did not stop there. After completing his studies in Construction Techniques, he reconnected with ABL and was quickly placed in a hands‑on role where he could apply his training. Over the following months, he demonstrated exceptional reliability, a strong work ethic, and a genuine desire to learn. He approached each day with commitment, pride, and accountability — qualities that stood out to everyone he worked with.
His dedication paid off. Arshdeep earned a permanent position through his performance and attitude, a milestone that fundamentally changed his life. With steady work and disciplined saving, he has since reached personal goals that once felt out of reach, including purchasing his dream car — a symbol of stability, independence, and how far he has come since those early struggles.
Those who have worked closely with Arshdeep describe him as kind, responsive, hardworking, and genuinely grateful for the opportunities he has been given. His story reflects the very heart of the A Better Life Award: resilience in the face of doubt, the courage to keep going, and the life‑changing impact of opportunity paired with determination. Recognizing Arshdeep is a way to celebrate not just his success, but the hope and perseverance that continue to drive him forward.
“ABL did more than help me find a job: they helped restore my confidence, provide direction, and build a foundation for long-term success. ABL believed in me when I doubted myself, and that belief helped me turn struggle into success and build a better life.” – Arshdeep