|
 New Boundaries Opens "Amigos" in Windsor
Monday, July 30, 2007
‘I Like Being Around People’
By PAUL PICKREM | Halifax Herald, July 30, 2007
A non-profit vocational services agency in Windsor has opened a retail store to create employment opportunities for the mentally challenged adults who participate in its programs.
Amigos is a 1,200-square-foot storefront in downtown Windsor operated by New Boundaries, the vocational services agency formerly known as Windsor Workshop.
On offer are Just Us coffee and sweets from Yum Bakery, used clothing, household items and furniture donated by the public.
Local artists have work on consignment and wood products are available, such as shelves, bookcases, tables and bags of kindling, produced by the 30 mentally challenged adults who participate in New Boundaries.
"We want our participants to be more visible to the community," executive director Bob MacAulay said in a recent interview. "And it fits with our mandate to create employment opportunities."
Six of the participants rotate through the store’s hours, 9 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Holly Fraser of Windsor sorted clothes, cut rags and answered the phones at the New Boundaries main facility on Centennial Drive. But at Amigos she has been pouring coffee, cleaning and doing the cash one day a week for the past month.
Ms. Fraser said in an interview she is looking forward to working a second day per week. "I do a little bit of everything," she said. "I like being around people and talking to them."
Mr. MacAulay said interactions are essential for everyone.
"Human beings need to be productive and be out in the community, in contact with the public," he said. "It’s good for their sense of belonging.
"It’s important to provide employment training and experiences for mentally challenged adults because it gives them fulfilment in their lives. If they didn’t have these opportunities, what would they do?"
He said some participants receive a small training allowance every two weeks while others make minimum wage or more.
"They get a cheque every two weeks and they get to cash that cheque.
That’s very important to them."
But Mr. MacAulay said there are challenges related to operating a business to provide employment if the venture doesn’t break even or turn a profit.
"Opening a business to provide employment isn’t always the best reason," he said. "But it’s hard to find employment placements, so we had to manufacture them."
Amigos didn’t get any start-up funding so promoting it has been a challenge, but manager Kristen Ross said the store is beginning to develop a clientele.
"We have our regulars who come in every day," she said.
One reason might be the cheerful staff, such as program participant Bob Ettinger of Windsor, who works four days a week.
During an interview he sat at one of the cafe-style tables during a quiet moment, very proud of his bright red Amigos apron.
"The best part is meeting people and being very nice to them," he said gently, with a warm smile.
( ppickrem@herald.ca)
|
|
