Exploits Community Employment Corporation
 
     
Meet theBoard

In this newsletter we are featuring our Vice-Chair, Thomas Kendell, who has been a member of our Board for the last 22 years.  He served as Chair of the Board for 12 years, Treasurer for approximately 5 years and has since served as Vice-Chair.

 

Tom grew up in Gaultois, Hermitage Bay, NL.  He graduated from Memorial University with a BA(ED) Bachelor of Education in 1974 and a Special Education Degree in 1981.  In 1985, he traveled to Vancouver, BC and attended the University of British Columbia where he received a diploma in teaching children who are visually impaired and blind.

 

Tom retired from teaching in 2004 after 32 years in Education.  He taught in Burgeo, Pass Island, Belleoram, and Peterview.  He also worked for 22 years as an Itinerant teacher for students who are visually impaired and blind in Central Newfoundland.  He has served on many organizations and held executive positions on various boards in Grand Falls-Windsor over the past 30 years.

 

Tom’s vast experience is a valued asset to our Corporation.  His knowledge and suggestions around the Board Room Table help us provide Supported Employment services to persons with developmental disabilities.  We are proud to honor our Vice-Chair, Thomas Kendell.

 

What is Supported             Employment?

 

Supported Employment is a program that provides persons with developmental disabilities an equal opportunity to find meaningful, rewarding and paid employment

 


How Does Supported Employment Work?

 

Supported Employment can, if necessary, provide a job coach to individuals who are approved under our program.  A job coach can train the individual, at no extra cost to the employer, and also ensure that the employer’s standards and quota’s are being met.


Our Contact Information

 

7 High Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

Telephone: (709) 489-5643

Website:   www.exploitscommunity.ca

Who is Eligible for our Services?

 

Any individual who can provide medical documentation stating that they have a developmental disability and is over the age of 18 is eligible for our General Services.  Individuals fitting the criteria but have not graduated from High School and are under the age of 18 would be eligible under the Transitions Program.  This is a program where by we work together with the school, teachers, and parents to prepare a plan to have the student “employment ready” when they graduate.

 

 

Benefits of Supported Employment

 

Individual (Client) Benefits

 

  • Achieving financial gain
  • Improving quality of life
  • Ability to exercise choice
  • Independence
  • Recognition

 

Employer Benefits

 

  • Obtains a hard working dedicated and enthuastic employee
  • Job Coach, who will help train the individual, is provided at no extra cost
  • Public recognition of an equal opportunity employer

  

Success Story

Kelly is a 25 year old woman who resides in Badger with her parents.  Kelly has participated in the Supported Employment Program since 2003.  She worked at Catamaran Park during the summers of 2003 and 2004 with her job coach, Margaret Penton.  Each day Kelly, along with Margaret, cleaned 21 outhouses, shovelled out fire pits and changed the garbage at 102 campsites, loaded the garbage in a truck and brought it to the landfill site.  Kelly went above and beyond everybody’s expectations at her first work experience.  Her parents noticed an  outstanding difference in Kelly’s behaviour during the weeks that she was working and they hoped to find year round work for her.  This is when Margaret took the initiative to start up a cleaning business for Kelly.  Customers include the Parish Centre, Town Centre, Cashins Foodtown and senior citizens.  They do general cleaning, decorating, gardening and painting.  Kelly loves to clean!!  Kelly does not communicate well verbally, she was taught in school to communicate using a communication board.  When I asked Kelly if she enjoyed working she had no problem pointing to the word “yes” and even showed me that she loves it in sign language.  Kelly’s job coach is very supportive and has a great attitude.  We feel that Kelly has proven to herself as well as her family and peers that although she is severely disabled, she is capable of doing a job - and doing it well!  We are all very proud of Kelly!