Supporting increased services and employment opportunities through life-long learning and the expansion of social enterprises. To find out more about our campaign or tomake a donation visit our website at www.beyondthehorizon.ca
Horizon Achievement Centre—providing a full range of catering, banquet andmail services to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. For more information on our products and services viewour website at www.horizon-ns.ca or visit us on Facebook!
Winner of the Excellence in Business Award and two-time winner of the Community Stewardship Award - Sydney and Area Chamber of Commerce
technological like devices to operate a mixer in a bakery or universal design investment to help people deliver meals on wheels for community senior citizens. Business owners who give back know that there’s a huge social return working with DIRECTIONS organizations. What would you say to someone who came in to one of the DIRECTIONS agencies in Nova Scotia who maybe comes to the conclusion that they are too old or their disability is too cumbersome? I’d imagine you get the ‘You can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ mentality from some people. HS: That comes back to the earlier question about men- torship and inspiration. The coaching aspect that we foster has really put in place a wide range of supports. These human resources have really proven to newcomers that the people we serve are in charge of DIRECTIONS and that’s our biggest strength. DM: For us, age is really not a factor. It’s more about finding what really interests newcomers. We had an applicant who is 52 years old and has lived at home with family her whole life and was in receipt of her personal care and support needs. She has been with us for a year now and has taken on a lot of self- help skills that she was depending on others for. Now she’s contributing to the organisation in a really meaningful way. I’ve been at this job for 38 years, it’s my career, and I still love to get up and come to work. go to my
through the door. MS : Yes, the challenges vary but it’s always rewarding when someone new comes into the Centre and asks ‘What can I do for you?’ and we look right back and ask ‘What can we do for you?’ Like Deborah said, some prospective members may have never been asked what they want, so it’s often encouraging for them right from the very first meeting. It’s not just a choice between employment, socializing, leisure, and physical activity – it’s all of them if you want it. “The government is really moving in a direction that increases our capacity to provide support and increase outcomes in the area of employment – and also in the area of social enterprise.” HS: SASI’s food services in Barrington are a great example of how rewarding it is to find solutions to inclusion. The bakery offers people a choice of social enterprise activities and the opportunities to progress into community employ- ment. Everyone in this successful business wants to bake or cook and contribute and belong to something produc- tive and positive. This is where we’re charged to come up with innovative solutions. Some of these solutions might be
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