May 31, 2016 - 12:14 — Timothy Gillespie
"We're very excited about the future."The former TimberMart building in Shelburne is soon to be the home to an improved vocational employment centre for people with disabilities, according to a news release Tuesday from Shelburne Association Supporting Inclusion (SASI). The group has purchased the former Timbermart building in Shelburne.
The 10,360 square foot facility will provide SASI with an enhanced ability to grow its social enterprises and employment contracts, and improve the quality of supports to people with disabilities. This includes existing clients, as well as the development of programs to assist additional people to enter the workforce. The relocation and growth of key activities at the new facility will be phased gradually as renovations and upgrades are completed.
SASI’s vocational and employment services operate at sites in Shelburne (Heritage Hall), Barrington (Mayflower Place) and Lockeport (Beech Street Studio). SASI operates social enterprises (such as the Shelburne Café) and employment contracts with programs, including: bakeries, laundry services, Meals on Wheels for seniors, cleaning contracts, confidential document shredding, textiles and craft production, survey stake production, wholesale sandwich production, a homecare service for seniors, and a green space maintenance team serving local citizens and government. The Heritage Hall operations will move to the new building, with the other enterprises remaining in place.
SASI operates as a dual service provider with both residential and vocational/employment programs at multiple sites across Shelburne County. Residential services consist of group homes and supported apartments for clients with a wide range of physical and sensory disabilities, developmental delays and mental health challenges. Vocational and employment services are progressive and inclusive, including social enterprises, vocational and life skill programs, and labour market employment opportunities. SASI also runs life skill and recreation programs, including workplace education, independent skills for daily living, volunteer placements, and art and music programs.
SASI partners with many government, community and family groups, says the release, and was the recent winner of the “Excellence in Community Development Award” at the 2015 Shelburne County Business and Community Excellence Awards. This award recognizes a community organization or social enterprise that has made significant and notable contributions to their community and serves as a catalyst for positive action, exhibiting the highest standards of leadership.
SASI operated in the fiscal year 2015 with revenues of $2.7 million dollars, largely from government sources, and raised $172,933 of that revenue last year through social enterprises to support clients. SASI says it has a significant impact on social and economic development each year in Shelburne County- assisting more than 60 clients, employing more than 60 staff (with a payroll of more than $2 Million), and expending more than $24,000 in property taxes (soon to be close to $40,000).
“We are very pleased with the opportunity that the purchase of this facility affords our organization," says SASI chair Mark Townsend. "The development of vocational sites and programs in this manner leads to sustainable growth in areas such as supportive employment and local business opportunities. With the financial stewardship of the board and the hard work of clients and staff, we have grown our organization to the point to which we can take on a project of this magnitude. We are very excited about the future!”
Bookmark/Search this post with
»
Add new comment