BSSA believes that being employed and/or volunteering enhances one’s quality of life. Quality of life is enhanced as a result of earning money, enjoying work tasks, and being involved as a colleague in an inclusive environment. The BSSA Employment Program provides supports in Employment to assist Individuals in attaining the quality of life they desire.
The goal of the Employment Program is to assist Individuals receiving services in maintaining or increasing their level of independence in the work and volunteer placements that they have chosen. The goal of BSSA staff is to model, teach and assist the Individual so that they are able to acquire, strengthen and utilize their current skills needed in employment situations. Ultimately this will allow the Individual to develop and maintain the most independence they can or want to have.
The Employment Program strives to include the following supports:
Support For:
- Evaluation of the Individual’s Skills & Interests
- Establishment of the Short & Long Term Goals of the Employed Individual
- Facilitation of Work Placement Opportunities
- Retraining & Ongoing Training to Maintain Employment or to Achieve Promotion
Education On:
- Resume Creation & Building
- Application Process
- Interviewing
- Employment Skills
- Employee Rights
Development In:
- Self-determination
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Building Confidence
- Empowerment
- Daily Life Skills
The Employment Program operates any time of the day and week, as determined by the Individual being supported as well as the employment requirements of their work place. The Employment Program is based out of the BSSA Office, however, the program operates within the community at the job sites and locations the Individual is supported at.
Currently, Individuals work in various fields of employment within the community ranging from shop labor, hotel and restaurant services, grocery stores, the bottle depot, garden centers, and newsletter deliveries. The Job Coaches who work in the BSSA Employment Program also support Individuals in Volunteer opportunities in places such as the hospital, library, and various community initiatives.