January April 2005 Newsletter · January–April 2005 Newsletter Archives Program, Community...
Transcript of January April 2005 Newsletter · January–April 2005 Newsletter Archives Program, Community...
January–April 2005
Newsletter
Archives Program, Community Em-
ployment and the Active Lifestyles
Club, as it provides a visual repre-
sentation of the programs. The web
site also incorporates quotes from
families and business people who
have had positive experiences with
us over the years and a general de-
scription of what type of educa-
tional/vocational development is
encouraged.
All of us at DASC couldn‟t be more
pleased at how everything looks.
We encourage you to check out our
web site at www.dasc-ns.ca
After 6 months
of comprehen-
sive planning and
development,
DASC‟S new
logo, informa-
tional pamphlet
and web site
were unveiled in January. Each phase of this
process was painstakingly thought out to reflect
the varied aspects of DASC today. Our new
promotional material includes our mission
statement and value statements which we as-
cribe to our organization. We wanted our new
promotional materials to echo the commitment
we have to our employees and illustrate our
positive environment.
Our new logo
represents how
DASC facilitates
the personal
growth of our
employees.
Some viewing
the logo
feel it is a
person
traveling
on a road
towards
their
goals,
others view the logo as a person reaching
up towards the sky. However we view the
logo, there is that underlying theme of goal
attainment, growth and movement.
Our new
web site
captures
the funda-
mental
nature of
our three
vocational
programs (Mail Room, Altar Bread Co.,
and General Contracts 2), our three pre-
vocational programs (General Contracts 1,
Social Skills, and Lifeskills), the Federal
DASC Unveils New Logo and Web Site
ARCHIVES Employee Realizes Dream Valerie Moore, long
time employee of
DASC‟s Federal Ar-
chives Disposal Pro-
gram, realized a per-
sonal dream this past
December. Valerie has
been associated with
The Special Olympics
Dartmouth Dolphins
Swim Club for the past
32 years as an athlete. Her experience with the
Dartmouth Dolphins was such a positive one that
she wanted to write a book about it. After much
dedication to this writing project, Valerie‟s dream
came true and in December, she had 50 copies of
her book “Where the Dolphins Swim” printed.
This book is a wonderful glimpse into Valerie‟s
swimming history, her love of the sport and her
tenacity to realize a personal dream. Valerie won
38 medals and 121 ribbons during her time with the
Dolphins. She also traveled to Moncton, Truro and
as far away as Toronto to compete. Valerie re-
ceived a certificate from her Coaches for
“Sportsperson of the Year” in 2000. In 2003, she
was presented with; the Special Olympics Bear
“Pierre”, a certificate and a note of tribute from the
Provincial Special Olympics Office. She retired
from active competition in 2003, but she remains a
part of the team in a coaching capacity. After her
book was printed, Valerie presented each of her co-
workers at the Archives with an autographed copy.
She also presented DASC with a copy of her book
to place in our library. Valerie‟s book is an inspira-
tion for all of us, always look to the future and
work towards those dreams you treasure.
Inside this issue:
Employment
Conference
2
Archives News 2
Neocon Inc. 3
Annual Bar
Auction
3
General news 4
Community
Employment
4
Page 2
Newsletter
Employment Milestones We would like to take an opportu-
nity to recognize some employment
milestones for our Employees. As
you are aware, DASC supports ap-
proximately 157 individuals in their
employment endeavours. Of these
employees some have significant
years of service. In this and subse-
quent newsletters we will be ac-
knowledging their success.
5+ Years Cory Dillman
Jamey Cassell
Matthew McNeill
10+ Years
Craig George
Juanita Gillam
Krista Power
Russell Mortimer
15+ Years Cindy Gallichon
David MacDonald
20+ Years Elizabeth Attwood
Andrew Axford
Peter Raymond
David Sharp
Dan Sullivan
Brenda Parker
25+ Years
We were sorry to hear that Gary
MacNutt passed away on March 19th.
Gary worked at DASC for 22 years be-
fore retiring this past fall. Our condo-
lences go out to Gary‟s family, former
roommates and RRSS staff .
In Memory
On March 4-5 the Direc-
tioNS Council for Voca-
tional Services in Nova Sco-
tia, hosted a two day
conference on commu-
nity employment.
DASC, Prescott group
and Anchor Industries
hosted two joint presen-
tations at this event.
Cathy Deagle-Gammon,
Executive Director of
DASC and President of
DirectioNS, gave both
the opening and closing re-
marks at the conference.
Our first presentation enti-
tled “Community Employ-
ment Success” was a panel
discussion that featured a
successful community em-
ployment client from each
of our respective centers,
their employers and job
coaches. DASC was pleased
to have Matthew Murray,
who works with the Atlantic
Superstore as a baker‟s as-
sistant, represent us on the
panel. Matthew‟s commu-
nity employment success is
what we strive to achieve for
our clients. This success is
made possible by approach-
ing community employ-
ment endeavors from a
multifaceted approach.
This approach is facili-
tated by having an indi-
vidual with a strong work
ethic, a positive work-
place environment, the
support of family/
caregivers and the on-
going support from the
vo c a t io na l c e n t e r .
DASC would like to thank
Matthew, his family, Job
Coach Myrna Findlay and
the Superstore Employees
for sharing their experi-
ences with our employment
initiatives.
The Rodeo Lounge and Restaurant was
the location for our annual bar auction
which took place on March 12th. We
were all on edge as the day approached
as a snow storm was forecast to hit
metro on the very day of the auction.
Thankfully, the storm held off until the
auction was over. This event was the
most successful Bar Auction thus far,
raising $10,500 for DASC. The array
of items was incredible, filling our
board room and causing lots of pre-
auction interest. Once again DASC
wishes to thank all of the businesses and
individual donors that contributed goods
for the auction, as well as all of these peo-
ple who volunteered their time throughout
the day.. Without all of your generous
donations and support, we would not
have been as successful. A special thank
you is extended to Carla and all of the
Rodeo staff for their continued collabora-
tion on this and many other events.
COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE 2005
DASC’s Annual Bar Auction a Success!
Matthew Murray
DASC Staff
On the following day of
the conference DASC, Pres-
cott Group and Anchor Indus-
tries were involved in
another panel discus-
sion, “Families Who
Have Been There”. This
was an opportunity for
five parents to talk
frankly about the highs
and lows of trying to
obtain community em-
ployment options for
their children. DASC
was represented by Norm
McNeill whose son Matthew
has been employed at DASC
for the past 9 years.
The panel discussions were
a tremendous success for all
three of the vocational centers,
it highlighted their success and
provided prospective employ-
ees and families with invalu-
able information.
DASC Staff
Page 3
January–April 2005
The mission of DASC, in association with its community, is to provide opportu-
nities for adults with an intellectual disability and support them in realizing in-dividual potential.
Federal Archives Opens New Site In Burnside
Neocon Inc.– One of our Community Partner’s Neocon has been a commu-
nity partner of DASC‟s for
the past 12 years. The
word Neocon is derived
from the Greek word for
new, “Neo” and “Con”,
which is short for concept.
They are innovators in the
world of custom plastic de-
sign and moulding. Its
world class manufacturing facility is located in Burnside Indus-
trial Park and has been in operation since 1993. They are spe-
cialists in cargo management systems, interior convenience sys-
tems, floor protection systems and custom products for the auto-
motive industry. The Neocon team creates products that are
found globally and for such well-known companies as Ford,
BMW, GM and Volkswagen. Neocon„s product base is very
diverse as they manufacture a multitude of products from plastic
liners for hotel mini bars to
sonobouy components used
by the US Navy. They
ascribe to high standards of
quality according to the
International Quality As-
surance Standards such as
the: IS0 9001, Q59000 and
Ford‟s Q1.
Neocon prides itself on
having a fast turn around
for the customer. The creative workforce at Neocon is able to
take an initial design, turn it into a prototype and have it produc-
tion ready in 8-12 weeks. This creative, timely and flexible
approach of doing business is
what makes them an industry
leader.
Neocon is committed to En-
vironmental Green Initiatives,
at their Burnside site. They
process water to re-circulate
and reuse; have an innovative “trapped” process heat system,
whereby heat is recaptured and reused to heat the facility; plus
they practice general waste recycling programs.
The relationship between DASC and Neocon has been a con-
stant over the past 12 years. We assemble hardware kit packages
for Neocon. Our employees have worked steadily on this con-
tract and deliver the quality that Neocon expects from any of its
partners. DASC always ensures that the contract is completed in
a timely manner. As this contract involves multiple steps it pro-
vides an opportunity for skill development; and the variety of
tasks makes it enjoyable. One of our Employee‟s, Carolyn Coo-
per, says she likes the
contract because it keeps
her busy; Arnold Wam-
boldt enjoys finishing the
completed bags with the
sealing machine. All of us
here at DASC are pleased
to have Neocon as one of
our community partners
and we hope to continue
this mutually beneficial
business relationship.
work within the archives disposal pro-
gram; they are very pleased to have a
shorter commute each day. The new site
boasts; a bright and appealing décor, an
improved exhaust system (which will
remove fine paper particles), a larger
work space and washrooms with emer-
gency assistance pulls. The employees
are thrilled with these changes and appre-
ciate the large windowed lunchroom that
is bright and inviting. The Boardroom is
After a year of construction, the new
home of the Federal Archives Program
was official opened in January 2005. The
new Burnside location, on John Savage
Avenue,
is more
co nven -
ient for
our 10
employ-
ees who
still spacious enough to accommodate our
b i - w e e k l y
educational
development
group and it
ha s t he
added bene-
fits of being
bright and
well equipped. Congratulations on your
new site.
Arnold W. from DASC
sealing assembled bags
DASC
10 Akerley Blvd., Suite 24
Dartmouth, NS
B3B 1J4
Phone: (902) 468-6606
Fax: (902) 468-5359
DASC Employee and Staff News
” DASC will never be a static organi-zation because of the devotion, dedication and hard work of clients and staff, the support of community partners and families, and the vision and guidance of the Board. We need to continue to strive for the best, to continue to push to our lim-its and to set an example for our in-dustry” Susan Ehler, DASC Chairperson
Barb Corbin has been associated with DASC‟s community employment program
since 1992 and is currently a mail messenger at the Bedford Institute of Oceanogra-
phy. Barb has been in this position for the past 31/2 years. Barb‟s duties each day at
BIO are quite extensive. She assists her co-worker with sort-
ing the daily mail; this is by no means an easy job as they
have to sort mail for approximately 800 people who work at
BIO. Once the mail is sorted, Barb and her colleague are re-
sponsible for distributing it throughout two interconnecting
buildings three times a day and one out-building two times
day. When asked what Barb likes best about her position at
BIO she said she “likes the people” who work in the building.
Barb feels she has been successful, because she is quick and
friendly, and she says “You have to be friendly to work here”.
Her co-workers would agree. Barb enjoys the busy atmos-
phere of the BIO environment. She likes to attend BIO‟s
summer BBQ and have lunch with Jill Eaton , her Job Coach, at the BIO cafeteria.
During her spare time Barb likes to bake, do word finds, walk and go shopping. We
wish Barb continued success.
It‟s been a busy time here at DASC, but we all took the time to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. We would like to extend con-
gratulations to Linda DeWolfe; she was named Employee of the Month at McDonald‟s in Novemeber. If you remember, Linda was men-
tioned in our last issue as she was hired by MacDonald‟s after the completion of a very successful work experience. Keep up the good
work! Wendy Goldrich who works in General Contracts 11, completed her work experience at the Dollarama on Wyse Road, where she
sorted and stocked shelves. Wendy seemed to like the busy atmosphere and job skills she acquired. One of our community Employment
clients, Barry Crawley, began a new position with the Metro Centre on April 5. Barry is responsible for many custodial duties . All the
best on you new job Barry!
We were pleased to have Mandy Murphy with us for three months in Social Skills. The employees will miss her, but fortunately we will
continue to see Mandy on a casual basis.
As part of DASC‟s on-going commitment to staff training, the following courses were offered: Program Training, Hoya Lift training,
Snoezelen training and a CPI refresher course.
The Active Lifestyles club warmly welcomed Trina, who returned from maternity leave in mid- April. Trina and her son Benjamin were
pictured in our last newsletter when they attended the Active Lifestyle‟s Tea Social. Welcome back!
The Active Lifestyles Club has participated in some great activities over the past months. A number of the clients had the opportunity to
go to the Mermaid Café in Grand Desert, a wonderful spot to chase away the winter blues. Brenda P. enjoyed skating with Staff at Cole
Harbour Place . The clients at the club also took in some cultural activities over the winter; they visited the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia to
view the Rodin exhibit, and they viewed the Alzheimer Exhibit created by artist in residence for the Memory Clinic. Gladys K. has vis-
ited the Braemar Superstore in Dartmouth Superstore to attend their nutritional seminars. Gladys says of the experience “ I like going and
meeting different people... sometimes we walk”. This experience is a wonderful opportunity for community inclusion and the Active Life-
styles Club is pleased to be able to participate.
Julie Roberts, who is an instructor in the mail room, was married in sunny Jamaica on February 17, 2005. All of us at DASC wish Julie
and Craig a joyful life together.
We would like to welcome Richard Lelievre and Melody Patey who joined us as casual staff during February. We are glad to have you as
part of our team.
In February, Vikii MacKinnon and 12 of her students from the Nova Scotia Community College, Truro Campus, came for a tour of our
facility. Each year we welcome those students who are completing their Human Service Worker course and provide them an opportunity
to see practical applications for their studies. The students especially enjoyed our Snoezelen Room.
Tina Elliot made a presentation to the Nova Scotia Community College around career exploration, in February. Tina explained what career
options would be available at DASC for those individuals who are currently completing their Human Service Worker Course. It was a
wonderful opportunity to emphasize DASC‟s various programs and our commitment to our employees.
Community Employment
Page 4