03/11/2026
Thank You Bruce Washburn!
As we celebrate Options’ 30th Anniversary, we’re taking time to recognize some of the remarkable individuals who helped shape our organization over the years. Today, we are honoured to highlight Bruce Washburn, whose long-standing dedication, leadership, and advocacy have had a lasting impact on Options Employment Outreach.
We’re grateful to Bruce for sharing a message about his time with Options and the work that meant so much to him. His words speak for themselves:
“I was blessed in my career to be at the forefront of the establishment of accessibility services within the New Brunswick Community College, as a response to Bill 85 in 1986, which mandated inclusive education in the province. My involvement with Options Employment Outreach was a way of nurturing my connection to the community and better understanding the training needs of people with disabilities. I had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors of Options Employment Outreach for twenty-three years (1997-2020) due to the fulfillment I gained through the good work that we supported as a Board. I also understood that the work that was being done was genuinely helping people with disabilities find inclusion and fulfillment through employment and the valorization of their roles in the community.
The diversity of the skill sets that my fellow Board members brought to the table was impressive, and I learned much from them about the world of work. The membership represented experience in education, finance, law, IT, entrepreneurship, social service, disability services, marketing, and human resources, and this brought different perspectives to the challenges of inclusion of people with disabilities in the community and the workforce.
My commitment to the organization was also reinforced by the staff’s commitment to annual employment targets and their wise management of the resources at their disposal. The proof is in the celebration of thirty-years service to the community. I offer my congratulations on a job well done.”
