Board of Directors

2024-2025

Executive Committee

Henk van Leeuwan, DASC – President
Jeff Teasdale, CACL Antigonish – Past President
Ross Young, Corridor Community Options for Adults – Vice President
Treena Grace, Heatherton Activity Centre – Secretary
Diana Poirier, Regional Occupation Centre Society – Treasurer

Board

Region 1

Meaghan Paturel – Green Door (Regional Rep)
Kim Bedecki – CAPE (Staff Rep)
Jim Davis – Horizon Achievement Ctr (Board Rep)
Judy Whalen – Hayley St (Board Rep)

Region 2

Jenn Greek – Building Futures (Regional Rep)
Sophie Eld – Lake City Works (Staff Rep)
Alice Evans – Prescott Group (Staff Rep)

Region 3

Susan McCallum – STEPS on Arthur (Regional Rep)
Paul Williams – GOVRC (Staff Rep)
Vince Arbing – Bridge Adult Service Ctr (Board Rep)

Region 4

Tim Frauzel – ARC (Regional Rep)
Denise Long – New Boundaries (Staff Rep)
Loretta Nickerson – Shelburne Assoc Supporting Inclusion (Staff Rep)
Ramona Jennex – The Flower Cart Group (Board Rep)

Directions Council Staff

Jeff Kelly – Executive Director
Ed.directionsns@gmail.com
902-681-4541

Facebook

Directions Council for Vocational Services is with Divert NS.

3 months ago

We’re thrilled to share that our partnership with Divert NS for 2023-2024 was a tremendous success! With their generous $50,000 grant, DirectioNS has been able to support 10 impactful waste diversion projects across Nova Scotia. This year, we received 14 strong project applications, and the diversity among the 10 funded projects promises significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. Thanks to this collaboration, we’re making great strides towards a more sustainable future! #PartnersinWasteReduction #NothingWasted ... See MoreSee Less

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Directions Council for Vocational Services

8 months ago

Did you know, the production of fruit juice leaves behind 20-50% of the fruit weight? This waste product is called pomace, and it is typically composted. However, our friends at LakeCity Works knew they could do something even better with it! In 2023, LakeCity Works received funding from Divert NS through the DirectioNS Council partnership to develop locally made, all-natural dog treats using blueberry pomace sourced from local blueberry producers. By transforming blueberry juice pomace into wholesome treats for our furry friends, LakeCity (& Woofingtons of LakeCity) are not just reducing waste and supporting local, they are also creating supportive employment opportunities for their participants. Huge thanks to Divert NS for backing our mission and helping us make Nova Scotia a greener, cleaner place! 💚 #WasteReduction #BerryJuicePomace #DogTreats #SustainableSolutions #DirectioNS #DivertNS #WasteDiversion #novascotiaenvironment #CommunityImpact LakeCity Works ... See MoreSee Less

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Directions Council for Vocational Services

9 months ago

Exciting news! 🎉 DIRECTIONS has been awarded $50,000 by Divert NS to fuel our waste diversion partnership for another year! 💚 This program supports agencies in Nova Scotia that empower individuals with disabilities, and we're thrilled to be part of it for the third year running.Thanks to Divert NS's support since April 2021, we've launched 26 impactful projects spanning the entire province! ♻️ From textiles to electronics, we've tackled various waste materials, making a real difference for our environment and local communities.This collaboration's outcomes are immense, benefiting not just the environment but also our communities and the people we serve. 🌍 We're immensely grateful to Divert NS for recognizing our role in Nova Scotia's waste diversion sector and for their continued partnership. Together, we're ma#WasteDiversiona#CommunityImpacte#novascotiaenvironment #CDivert NSmpThe Sunset Communityonment Divert NS The Sunset Community ... See MoreSee Less

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Directions Council for Vocational Services

2 years ago

Our communities are full of valuable materials that we can reuse. The Swap, Share, Thrift, Repair theme of Waste Reduction Week speaks to a lot of the important work done throughout the province by DirectioNS agencies. Now, you can find Swap, Share, Thrift, Repair resources in your community using the new search tool from Divert NS! Visit: divertns.ca/swap-share-thrift-repeat/community-resources. You can choose your region to see what is near to you. You can also search by type and zone in on: clothing, household items, musical instruments, recreation equipment, technology, tools, and workshop services. We are proud to see 16 thrift stores in our network featured in this new resource. See the list of thrift stores below and look for them in the guide!Bridge Adult Service Centre Nora's New to You Thrift StoreSCAPE Society Glace BayeDigby Bargain BinnPrescott GroupGRick's Riches Thrift StorerThe ROC Society StoreiNew BoundariesBIn Your Back Pocket Thrift StorerNew To YouNGerald Hardy Memorial SocietyaThe Sunset Social Hub Oxford/PugwashiSunset IndustriesISecondChance_BoutiqueeThegreendooreMill Road Social Enterprisesnterprises ... See MoreSee Less

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Directions Council for Vocational Services

2 years ago

This week is Waste Reduction Week, and the theme is Swap, Share, Thrift, Repair. To celebrate, we are proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Waste Diversion Grants Program funded by Divert NS. The successful projects are: The Thrift Group: Optimizing thrift operations network-wide.The Sunset Community: Expanding a rag-making business with the thrift stores’ surplus textiles.LakeCity Works: Launching a Junk Removal Pilot to recover recyclable materials and useable goods.Prescott Group: Increasing the capacity and efficiency of the thrift store. The Flower Cart Group - Manufacturing yard games, signage, and artisan wood products from pallets and surplus textiles.Inclusion Clare- Acquiring a shed for collecting refundable bottle donations.YACRO Social Enterprise The Store Next Door Gift Shop - Increasing the capacity for recycling used hockey sticks into furniture. Congratulations to all the project agencies - we wish you success in your new pursuits! The program was exceptionally competitive this year, with 15 strong applications. We want to extend a generous thank you to our whole network for your ongoing leadership in waste diversion initiatives.Here is a look at some of the exciting things being made at The Flower Cart Group as part of their project recycling used pallets. Check out the decorative turkey and lemonade stand they have made so far! ... See MoreSee Less

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Partner

The Directions Council would like to acknowledge the support and funding provided by Divert NS in an effort to expand our waste diversion outcomes.

Contact

Address:
99 Wyse Road, Suite 920
Dartmouth, NS, B3A 4S5

Phone: (902) 466-2220
Fax: (902) 461-2220