1. National Network for Mental Health Rescau national pour la sante mentale
Ken Porter
1296 Lawson St
North Bay, ON PIB 9H4
February 23, 2010
To Whom It May Concern,
I am taking this opportunity to write this letter to articulate the appreciation I have for Ken Porter. Having had the
pleasant experience of supervising Ken for six years, I believe I can speak to Ken's work ethics, skills, and
abilities.
Ken Porter was hired in the beginning of 2003 with the National Network for Mental Health (NNMH). Ken was
originally hired as a Participant Support Worker for the BUILT Network Skills Development program and was
responsible for providing training to our participants. Ken's ability to lead, motivate and inspire those around him.
Ken is a dedicated employee of our organization and has contributed greatly to the growth and success of our
programs and services.
During the initial 18 month period, Ken impressed me very much with his ability to empathize with the needs of
our participants and it never ceased to amaze me how much the participants trusted and believed in him. This
provided all with a warm and welcoming learning environment and had a positive affect on our successes. During
the first two years, we achieved an 88% success placement and retention rate for post program employment in the
community.
The success of the program was noticed by the Federal Opportunities Fund (O.F.) The Chief ofO.F. and her team
visited us at our North Bay office. The uniqueness of the program combined with our success rates lead us to
being funded to expand the program national.
Over the next several years, we opened five other BUILT Network locations across Canada. Ken was of great
assistance to this process and was asked to take on the key role of leadership for the digital and technical needs of
the organization. During this period, in meetings with our funders in Ottawa, it was identified that there was a
huge gap in services to smaller and remote communities in Canada. We applied for and were given funding to
create a national online program of our skills project. Ken was promoted to the Coordinator position and took to it
with confidence and enthusiasm.
Ken's technical abilities are second to none and he has been the main architect of all online services which we
offer. He also is in charge of all web sites and internal resources and data of our organization. Ken was responsible
for all effective day to day management, supervision and coordination of the Online Project nationally. He is
responsible for leadership, direction, training, marketing of the program, and support to the site staff and the
program participants. Ken takes accountability and full responsibility for the project.
Ken's commitment and ability to achieve results and surpass objectives lead to being promoted to Assistant
National Program Director for the organization in 2008.
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2. National Network for Mental Health Reseau national pour la sante mentale
Ken always acts in a very positive and professional manner, develops beneficial partnerships, and continually
provides sound representation of the association, our programs and mandate.
Ken is always willing to work with our participants, community partners, employers and other professional
organizations. Ken works extremely well within our team and is respected by all staff, our other project sites and
with other head office staff.
In closing I would like to say, over the last six years I have seen employees come and go and have seen
employees come and stay. I have interviewed hundreds of candidates and hired many people. Ken Porter is
definitely my most valuable employee.
Respectfully,
Dave Gallson, CAE
National Program Director
National Network for Mental Health
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