Broadening Horizons
Each morning, Sarah Brown arrives at the Broadening Horizons recycling facility in her hometown, ready to take on the day. From helping customers sort materials and answering questions at the counter, to loading trucks and managing the electronic recycling systems, Sarah plays an important role in keeping the facility running smoothly.
The work is fast-paced, hands-on, and constantly moving – and that is exactly what she enjoys about the job. For Sarah, it is about far more than completing daily tasks. It is a source of pride, independence, and a meaningful connection to her community.
Building independence and opportunity
Based in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Broadening Horizons is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. Its mission is to ensure individuals have the supports they need to pursue independence, self-reliance, and meaningful participation in community life.
The organization operates several programs focused on skill development, employment readiness, and inclusion. One of its core initiatives is the Broadening Horizons Pre-Employment Program, which helps participants build foundational workplace and life skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and workplace behaviour.
Participants then have opportunities to apply those skills in real-world settings through Broadening Horizons Recycling, a social enterprise combining environmental stewardship with employment support and hands-on learning.
Growing alongside the organization
Sarah has witnessed firsthand how much the recycling operation has grown over the years.
“When I started, there were only seven employees,” she recalls. “The depot 11 years ago was very different than the depot we have today.”
In the early days, Sarah worked on the truck doing curbside recycling pick-ups once a week. Since then, both her role and the organization have expanded significantly. Today, Broadening Horizons Recycling operates curbside and commercial recycling services throughout Gander while also managing the Green Depot facility used by the public.
Broadening Horizons participants are actively involved in every aspect of the operation, gaining valuable work experience while helping divert recyclable materials away from landfills. The work not only supports environmental sustainability; it also creates meaningful employment opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities - opportunities that can often be difficult to access elsewhere.
Confidence, skills and personal growth
For Sarah, the experience has been deeply transformative, shaping not only the skills she uses on the job, but also the confidence she carries into other parts of her life.
“The skills I’m most proud of are developing patience and my customer service skills,” she says. “I’ve learned how important it is to stay calm, work with all kinds of people, and make sure customers feel welcome and supported. Learning how to work as a team is also a big skill I’ve developed since working at the depot.”
Over the years, Sarah has also built a wide range of practical skills. She has learned to operate equipment like pallet jacks, secure large recycling bags with zip ties, and manage the day-to-day responsibilities that keep the depot organized and running efficiently. One of her proudest milestones came recently, when she began helping train new employees.
“Being able to get up and go to work every day makes me feel more productive,” she says. “It gives me something to work towards, helps me stay active, and makes me feel good knowing I’m doing something important.”
Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to continue working at the depot until retirement and is excited to grow alongside the organization as it expands its recycling services.
Creating a cleaner, more inclusive community
Broadening Horizons demonstrates how social enterprises can create lasting impact in multiple ways all at once.
Through its recycling operations, the organization contributes to a cleaner local economy by encouraging recycling, reducing waste, and promoting environmental responsibility within the community. At the same time, it creates inclusive workplaces where adults with intellectual disabilities can build independence, develop job skills, and form meaningful social connections.
ACOA is proud to support organizations like Broadening Horizons that are helping to create inclusive employment opportunities, strengthen communities, and build a clean economy in Atlantic Canada.
To learn more about the work of Broadening Horizons, please visit: https://www.broadeninghorizons.org/