Executive Director's Report

Twenty years, almost half of my life. I can’t even begin to tell you all the changes I have seen, the friends I have made, the friends I have lost. The trials, the tears , the laughter and the love have all been part of our history. These things have made us who were are today and will serve us for many more years. If I had the chance I wouldn’t change a single thing. I am both proud and humble to be standing here speaking to you today and would like to begin by saying thank you to each and everyone for playing such an integral role in my life.
      In July of this year one of our original clients Allister Grant passed away. Allister started his placement in the Woodworking Department and later moved to General Contracts. Most recently, Allister took part in the Life Enhancement Department. He was a very quiet and gentle man who enjoyed working, social activities and his friends at 70 George. He will truly be missed by everyone. This year w also saw the departure of one of our long term employees, Whitfield Best. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.
      During the past year 18 clients applied for admission and eight new clients started at the Centre. These placements were possible as a result of our new pre employment program and community employment opportunities to twelve clients. Fifteen other clients are still awaiting service.
      The responsibility to generate revenue to meet operational costs is getting more demanding each year, especially with increases in such things as oil, insurance and benefits. While we continuously struggle to meet this challenge, additional non subsidized costs such as capital expenditures and building and equipment repairs have placed an added pressure on client, staff and Board.
      Coupled with this has been the increase in demand for services which we have responded to by securing additional funding for new projects or realigning our existing staff to offer new programs such as the Life Enhancement Services and the Pre Employment Program.
      As mentioned in Delores report, we have brought our concerns to government in the hope that additional funding will be forth coming. In the interim we are thankful to the department for their efforts in assisting us in acquiring two major pieces of surplus equipment, a dishwasher and stove from the Children’s Training Centre. I would also like to acknowledge with thanks, John and Isabelle Murphy who gratuitously requested that all gifts acknowledging their 50th anniversary be donated to the Centre.
      Last year we were informed of the Province’s commitment to do a complete overview of the Community Supports for Adults program. In June, the initial review was completed and we were advised that a separate review for vocational services was needed. This will take place within the next two years. We welcome this review and look upon it as an opportunity to showcase our service and the value of this program to adults with disabilities and the community at large.
      It makes me so proud to be part of this 20th anniversary celebration. I certainly never intended this to be my career when I first started in 1984. I only hope that in some small way I have given back to this agency even a small part of what this job has given me. Many times I have been told that I must be special to work here, I say I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to have worked with and for so many special people.
      Twenty years ago I spent my entire day teaching clients how to knit and make Kleenex flowers. Supported employment and community integration were just concepts. I never once imagined that today we would be operating a multi faceted program of service delivery to more than one hundred and fifty clients.
      With a starting salary of $12,000 dollars as a direct care staff, in 1984, I never once imagined that employees of vocational centres would be recognized by government and this industry as professionals in their field.
      With an operational budget of less than $200,000 in 1984, I never once imagined that today we would be running a $1.5 million dollars operation. As a service industry known only as an activity centre or sheltered industry in 1984, I never once imagined that we would be working partners with such as agencies as the Department of Community Services, Human Resource Canada, Enterprise Cape Breton, Universities, Colleges and School Boards, just to name a few.
      As I stand here today, I wonder where the next twenty years might take us; a new building, 100% funding, jobs ......

      Just Imagine the Possibilities

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