The Tribune

THIS week, Special Olympians will do their part at RBC Royal Bank to “wow the customer” during the busy Christmas season.

They underwent work orientation at the corporate office last Thursday in anticipation of providing client assistance support at five Royal Bank branches.

The participants in the initiative are: Kevin Archer, Deron Forbes, Kenva Knowles, Anita Moncur, and Christopher Rolle – all active Special Olympics athletes, one of whom competed in China and the others in Greece.

RBC human resources manager Fanchon Braynen formally welcomed the athletes to Royal Bank and gave them encouragement prior to the start of their workweek on Monday.

The enthusiastic group of athletes will assist by answering telephones, greeting clients, giving direction to clients, and other assigned duties.

Their engagement with Royal Bank is part of the bank’s “Diversity” commitment, which seeks to include persons of different abilities, backgrounds and perspectives, on the understanding that diversity generates innovation.

“At RBC, we seek to create a stronger community by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of differently-abled persons like the athletes from Special Olympics,” said Mrs Braynen. “In recognising that these individuals have the ability to make valuable contributions to our bank, we hope that other corporate entities will embrace them and create opportunities for them to shine as well.”

National director for Special Olympics Amanda Moncur roused her crew, declaring: “We know that you all will do well, make Special Olympics proud, make your parents proud.

“This is a wonderful thing that RBC is doing and we want you to thank them.”