LEF: a model of growth and engagement
A mission serving communities, driven by employees who are heard.
Founded in 1978 by Eunice Gray during a period of major economic restructuring, The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) has become an essential institution for the Toronto community.
LEF has helped thousands of people and families in 30 communities across Toronto, offering vocational training and guidance to young people in several languages.
Employees: remarkable growth for the organization
of the budget devoted to staff
communities supported across Toronto
An organization born to serve its community
In the early 1980s, LEF saw an opportunity not only to serve young people, but also to foster greater economic development within these communities. This shift led to the opening of childcare centres, the launch of employment services, and the expansion of vocational training offerings.
With this entrepreneurial approach, LEF went into "solutions" mode by building on strengths, rather than simply identifying gaps.
Remarkable growth
The result? The organization experienced remarkable growth, expanding to more than 400 employees!
This success rests on a solid foundation: listening to employees and meeting their needs with concrete solutions.
Discover LEF's story on video.
Employees at the heart: the key to success
LEF puts its employees at the heart of its operations, viewing them as its most valuable asset. Creating a work environment where employees feel valued, heard and motivated is crucial.
With 80% of their budget devoted to staff, the organization's commitment to its workforce is undeniable!
and it shows!However, you've probably guessed it… A constant challenge for an organization of this size is maintaining effective communication with staff spread across multiple sites.
"Our teams spend their days working directly with children and families. They don't always have the time or the means to communicate with us directly. So how can we make sure employees' voices are heard? The answer: Amélio."
Janice BrooksVice-President – People and Culture, The Learning Enrichment Foundation
LEF then explored new ways to keep the lines of communication open and to ensure that every employee is heard, in a way that aligns with their core values.
That's how LEF chose Amélio to launch a process to improve employee engagement in 2022.
Since then, the organization has gathered meaningful data that truly represents its employees' voices, in order to continuously improve the organizational culture.
Concrete changes
At LEF, it's not just about collecting data; it's about implementing real change.
What truly matters to staff?
The information gathered through the surveys helped the foundation identify its action priorities, such as flexible benefits, salary adjustments and improvements to paid-leave policies.
"Now I have real, tangible data to bring to leadership: 'OK, where can we start? Can we build a plan?'"
Armed with these results, the leadership team took immediate action, reaffirming and strengthening their deep commitment to their employees' well-being.
The effect? Employees feel heard, creating a work environment that's even more supportive than it already was.
An organization looking to the future
LEF's success lies in its ability to evolve and adapt, while keeping its employees and communities at the centre of its mission.
The organization's proactive approach to employee engagement continues to generate positive change. With a clear vision and a strong commitment to innovation, LEF shows that it is not only a place of learning and enrichment for the people it serves, but also a workplace where employees thrive.
Amélio provides the tools needed to hear their staff, of course, but also to respond with meaningful and lasting change.
What makes the collaboration between LEF and Amélio so fruitful goes beyond technology: it's about building a meaningful partnership.
Initiatives like this one require a strong partner. Not just a database, a solution or a tool. We needed a partner. Amélio and its dedicated team supported us every step of the way.
In short...
We can certainly glimpse a promising future for LEF.
The foundation pursues its mission with the same entrepreneurial spirit that has fuelled its growth.
By leveraging its partnership with Amélio, LEF ensures that its employees stay engaged and that the communities around it continue to thrive. Its ability to innovate and adapt, while staying true to its core values, will undoubtedly continue to fuel its success.
For any organization seeking to build a culture of trust and engagement, the partnership between LEF and Amélio serves as a model. After all, a workforce that feels valued and heard is the driving force behind every successful organization!
Employee engagement is essential to performance
Amélio is the most complete tool to create an inspiring employee experience and retain your employees.
Do like LEF: give every one of your employees a voice.
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