Exploits Community Employment Corporation  






NEWSLETTER                                                                          Vol.4

Meet the Board

In this newsletter we are featuring our Treasurer, Judy Thomas.  Judy has been a committed member of our Board for the last 10 Years.

 

Judy grew up in Grand Falls, NL.  She retired from the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) in April, 2010 where she had worked for 31 years.

 

Judy has a personal interest in our Corporation because she has a son with a developmental disability.  She realizes the importance of having these individuals in the workforce.  She says, “it gives them responsibility and a sense of being”.  Judy has seen first hand the benefits and positive results that are attributed to our Corporation.  She also recognizes how important it is for employers to participate in the supported employment program because the program would be obsolete without them.

 

Judy’s motivation and professional skills are a great asset to the ECEC Board.

  

Keeping Informed

The NL Association for Community Living Conference was held in Gander from April 22nd – 24th.  The conference which was entitled “Planning for Tomorrow….Today” was a family-oriented event.  It was a very motivating and emotional conference.  NLACL works hard to make sure persons with intellectual disabilities are equally welcomed and supported in their community.

 

The 2010 Supported Employment Newfoundland & Labrador (SENL) conference took place in Gander this year from June 1st – 4th.  The conference covered a wide variety of topics from “Impacts of Working” to “Skills Enhancement” and included a number of guest speakers including the Hon. Kevin O’Brien who signed a proclamation proclaiming June as Supported Employment Month.

 

The ECEC had representatives attend both of the above conferences.  These types of events are very important in the continuation and improvements of Supported Employment throughout our province. 

Our Contact Information

7 High Street, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

Telephone: (709) 489-5643

Website:  www.exploitscommunity.ca

Our Board meets the 2nd Monday

of every month.

Success Story

About 30 kilometres from the Buchans Highway lies the Duck Pond Operations, a division of Teck Resources.  Employing a workforce of approximately 250, with an annual payroll of 20 million dollars and an additional 8 million dollars expended annually through local suppliers, this operation is a major boost to the economy of Central Newfoundland and Labrador.

 

During the early part of May 2010 the Exploits Community Employment Corporation contacted Teck Resources in an effort to secure a suitable position in their worksite for one of our clients.

 

Over the ensuing month and into June, negotiations were ongoing to reach this goal, with success coming around the middle of June. 

 

  

On June 28th, 2010, Michael Higdon began work at the Duck Pond Operations site.  Finishing school a mere three days prior, this timely opportunity is proving to be a major confidence booster for Michael, who had recently been a part of the school-to-work transitions program.  With funding provided through the provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour & Employment, Michael is carving out his niche as part of the support team in the mining industry.  We wish Michael all the best and look forward to a long-lasting relationship with Teck Resources.  We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to Teck Resources for proving, yet again, what true Corporate Citizenship is all about.

Kiwanis Aktion Club

 

The Grand Falls-Windsor Kiwanis is in the process of starting an Aktion Club.  An Aktion Club is a community-service group for adults living with disabilities.  The mission of Aktion Club is to provide adults living with disabilities an opportunity to develop initiative and leadership, to serve their community, to be integrated into society, and to demonstrate the dignity and value of citizens living with disabilities.  Aktion Club members perform a variety of community service such as environmental projects, park beautification, food drives, and nursing home visitations.  If you would like to become a member of the Grand Falls-Windsor Kiwanis Aktion Club please call 489-5082.