Easter Seals Nova Scotia to create more opportunities for people with disabilities
News release
Non-profit organization serving province for 85-plus years expands work space, increases social enterprise programming
June 8, 2018 – Dartmouth, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Investing in infrastructure is crucial to economic growth and creating communities where everyone has access to public services and job opportunities. That is why the Government of Canada is contributing $350,000 to Easter Seals Nova Scotia to help renovate its new facility, enabling the expansion of its employment and vocational training offerings. Once the project is complete, Easter Seals Nova Scotia will have all its programs located in a fully accessible space, helping the organization better promote mobility, inclusion and independence for Nova Scotians with disabilities.
Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth – Cole Harbour, announced the support today on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Construction is now underway on the project.
The renovation will increase the space for Easter Seals Nova Scotia and New Leaf Enterprises, its life and jobs skills training program, from 8,050 to 12,320 square feet. The new facility will be on one floor, with double the number of accessible washrooms, a larger commercial kitchen, and a dedicated woodworking shop. There will also be a retail space for a year-round display of products produced by program participants and a cafe where homemade soups, sandwiches and baked goods will be available to the general public in a fully accessible space.
Easter Seals will be able to deliver training to more people on its wait list, creating additional opportunities for employment, vocational skills development, and economic growth.
Funding for this project is being allocated through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund. This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to stimulate Atlantic Canada's economy, including supporting key infrastructure projects that support long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is proud to support organizations such as Easter Seals Nova Scotia. When all members of a community are empowered, they are able to build healthier and happier lives, allowing them to contribute and share in Canada’s prosperity.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Making sure every Canadian has an equal and fair chance at success is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Canada’s future prosperity depends on it. Nearly 20 per cent of Nova Scotians identify themselves as living with a disability, the highest percentage of any province. This support can be a game changer, giving Easter Seals Nova Scotia the room it needs to grow; to make the building work better for those who work here; to make the building fully accessible and to make more room for trainees.”
- Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth – Cole Harbour
“We at Easter Seals Nova Scotia are excited for the next phase of our history of serving people with differing abilities. This move to a larger more accessible space and the support we have received from the Government of Canada will allow us to grow and meet the demand for our services. We are thrilled with this expansion of space and programs as we increase our footprint in the province.”
- Joanne Bernard, President and CEO of Easter Seals Nova Scotia.
Quick facts
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For more than 85 years, Easter Seals Nova Scotia has delivered programs and services for Nova Scotians with intellectual, cognitive and physical disabilities.
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Easter Seals’ vocational and life skills program, New Leaf Enterprises, was established in 1962. The social enterprise currently provides training opportunities for 45 participants.
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The kitchen will increase to 1,500 square feet from 900 square feet, allowing Easter Seals Nova Scotia to boost its catering and its holiday baking program. Trainees bake more than 32,000 cookies by hand between the middle of November and the third week of December.
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Easter Seals has three cafes located in businesses around Halifax Regional Municipality and plans to open a fourth in its new facility at 22 Fielding Avenue in Burnside Industrial Park, Dartmouth.
Contacts
Alex Smith
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Phone: 902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
E-mail: alex.smith@canada.ca
President and Chief Executive Officer
Easter Seals Nova Scotia
Phone: 902- 453-6000 x 222 / (902) 219-4375 (cell)
E-mail: joannebernard@easterseals.ns.ca