Human Resources, Labour and Employment
March 4, 2008

Province Supports Community Partnerships

The Provincial Government today announced $220,540 in funding to support three community partnership projects to meet the needs of Income Support clients with mental health, social and educational barriers to employment. Stella Burry Community Services is receiving $172,040 for two projects develop a two-tier employment model and for a computer-based essential literacy skills project. The Canadian Mental Health Association is receiving $48,500 to develop an interactive education and employment website for people with mental health-based barriers to employment.

"Government and community can work together to partner in the development and delivery of meaningful employment supports and services," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "I believe we need to have practical solutions in place to help people improve their quality of life and go to work."

Stella Burry Community Services is receiving a grant of $93,500 to develop a unique two-tiered employment model. This is part of a broader community partnership initiative to further the co-ordination and delivery of occupational and employment services for persons with significant barriers to employment. The first tier provides the individual with the opportunity to participate in an �odd job squad� to gain exposure to basic forms of work. As an individual gains confidence and experiences success, then it is possible to progress to the employment model�s second tier. The second tier enables the individual to become further engaged in a more regular and integrated work pattern with an employer in the community.

"We are delighted to be able to offer this new programming option for individuals who can benefit from a graduated approach to employment. Our experience has shown us that persons need to achieve success to give them the confidence to move into the workforce. We want to acknowledge the progressive approach to employment services that the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment continues to demonstrate and thank them for their continued support of our work," said Jocelyn Greene, Executive Director of Stella Burry Community Services.

As well, a grant of $78,540 is being provided to Stella Burry Community Services to enhance employment readiness training under the New Beginnings Program. The funding will support the introduction of new computer-based approaches to the teaching of essential literacy skills necessary for different types of work. This will help an individual move from Income Support to employment. Work outcomes can include areas such as skilled trades, customer service, food and hospitality services, and other work of interest to the individual.

In further support of the community partnership initiative, the Canadian Mental Health Association is receiving a grant of $48,500 to develop an interactive education and employment website. The website will provide persons with mental health-based barriers to employment access to a broad range of information on available services and supports in the community. The site will feature an on-line billboard which individuals can use to share their experience and success with others. It will provide an excellent venue in which to network and explore available employment, education and training opportunities. It is a complementary resource that supports existing and new programs and services offered by Stella Burry Community Services and other agencies with a similar mandate throughout the province.

"We are thrilled to receive this funding from the Provincial Government and to utilize it as part of the St. John's Community Partnership Initiative, and to leverage this, so that as a provincial organization, we can try and reach and support as many people as possible who are in recovery from mental illness across the province," said Geoff Chaulk, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Since 1979, Stella Burry Community Services has provided residential counseling programs for adult men and women through its program at Emmanuel House as well as an emergency shelter for young women at Naomi Centre. The organization is a leading non-profit developer of affordable housing, and is widely recognized for its two innovative employment programs HOPEworks and New Beginnings. Under the auspices of these latter programs, the organization has assisted many hundreds of men and women access employment successfully with pre-employment, skill development and employment-related training programs.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), founded in 1918, is one of the oldest voluntary organizations in Canada. Each year, it provides direct service to more than 100,000 Canadians through the combined efforts of more than 10,000 volunteers and staff across Canada in over 135 communities.

"I offer my congratulations to both Stella Burry Community Services and the Canadian Mental Health Association - Newfoundland and Labrador, for moving forward with these interesting community-based initiatives which I am confident will help individuals with multiple barriers to employment further engage in and attach to the labour market," said Minister Skinner. "Government is firmly committed to measures and investments that increase labour market participation for everyone in society."

-30-

Media contacts:

Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca

Geoff Chaulk
Executive Director
Canadian Mental Health Association � Newfoundland and Labrador
709-757-7215

Deborah Glassman
Stella Burry Community Services
Director of Development and Communications
709-738-8390
d.glassman@stellaburry.ca  

2008 03 04                                                  1:10 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement