Community Connections

Community Connections offers career support for persons who are interested in recreational and leisure activities and non-vocational alternatives. It serves as an umbrella for career related pursuits based on individual need and interest. All career activities and services, as much as possible, take place in the context of the general community. The aim is to promote inclusion, involvement and active participation in community life through chosen career related activities designed to meet a wide range of interests based on the goals and aspirations of each person involved. The primary objective is to provide a supportive environment that promotes and encourages people to pursue career interests through new experiences, challenges and relationships which in turn enhance confidence, self esteem and feelings of achievement. By engaging in career activities of choice, linkages with the natural community will be fostered. Emphasis is placed on the enhancement of each person's physical and social integration within the community by providing support to become involved in activities chosen by the person. Alternative, less formal interactions take place in locations such as the library, coffee shop, etc yet are equally important to a sense of friendship, dignity and self worth. Non-monetary or volunteer work is another avenue for personal enrichment and community contribution by taking on projects with established community groups, such as church groups. A team of staff, volunteers, family and friends are committed to finding new and better approaches, activities and linkages to best support people in career development and community life. As an umbrella, Community Connections offers career support through the Black Cap Players Theatre Workshop, Downtown Links and Community-based clusters. The Black Cap Players Theatre Workshop offers creative, artistic career endeavors, evidenced through natural structure and support in instructional activities such as: art classes, craft classes, dramatics, quilting, folk art, dance, music, social and recreational activities. Some people have alternative employment  or are involved as volunteers in the local community. A group of the individuals involved at the workshop  are members of  the Black Cap Players Music and Mime Company, an incorporated black light theatre company. NACL supports involvement in this theatrical venue through prop building, choreography, rehearsals and performances. The specific content of career support, instructional activities and social and recreational activities is governed by the people involved during planning meetings and as a result the current interests and aspirations of those involved direct the content. Downtown Links was established to enable people the opportunity to focus on literacy, functional academic skill development and computer skills. Various small groups participate in select activities each week out of a location in the heart of downtown Simcoe. This allows individuals the opportunity to have direct access to the downtown community on a regular basis (within walking distance). Community Clusters include groups of individuals who are connected to a geographical area or neighbourhood through family ties or friendships. People interested in an active pace of community involvement are offered a more intimate and personal type of support. They begin their day at a base located in the community or the group can be mobile. A person involved with the service may act as the host for their cluster if they so choose. The activities and excursions involve a variety of social, volunteer and leisure career opportunities occurring at the base, at other NACL sites and in the community driven by the interests and preferences of those involved.

 

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