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Programs We Offer

Oct 20, 2010 | 6:18 PM

·         Nest Drop In Center is designed to be a safe, secure, happy place for our clients to gather on a regular basis. They are able to interact together, providing support and company to each other. We have up to 60 people visiting our drop in center on a daily basis. There are up to 150 people making use of the drop in center on a monthly basis.

·         Nest Lunch program is located within our drop in center. We provide a meal to all our clients who register for the lunch program at a charge of $0.50 per meal. This lunch is often the only meal our clients may eat during the day. There are as many as 35 clients eating each day. There are as many as 80 people eating on special occasions such as Easter and Thanksgiving.

·         Independent Living program provides specific and personal support for those clients who are trying to make the transition from living in a care home environment to one of more independence. We work to assist and encourage the clients to master basic skills important to living independently.

·         HomesteadQuilting program consists of a group of clients who manufacture patchwork quilts to be sold as a source of fundraising revenue for all of our programs. We recycle old clothing and material scraps by cutting them into squares to be incorporated into patterns for the manufacturing of the quilts. The quilts are designed and completed solely by the clients. They have been sold across Canada.

·         As Good As New store programsells quality used clothing gathered through donations and on consignment. The proceeds from the sales contribute to the programs and overhead for all of our programs. The availability of quality used clothing for sale at very low prices is vitally important to many people who are not in a position to purchase brand new clothing at extremely high prices. We always welcome clothing donations.

Our vocational work programs provide…

Ø  A sense of purpose to our clients on a daily basis

Ø  Self esteem and self worth are enhanced by the responsibility they show in attending work regularly

Ø  A sense of belonging to the community as a whole

Ø  The clients take pride in the fact they are able to work at the store, in the quilting program, or as part of the “Nest” staff (consisting of cooks, janitorial and clean-up). All of the clients working in our programs are doing so voluntarily. For their efforts, they receive a small honorarium

The effect our programs are having on our clients can be evaluated

Ø  Through the pride they derive from their participation in the programs

Ø  The support provided to each other while there

Ø  By the reduced number of hospitalizations and shorter stays for those who are hospitalized

Ø  By the success of those who transition into the regular work force

                                                                   

Not only do we provide support for those coping with mental health illnesses but as mentioned earlier we also strive to provide education to the community as a whole.  We offer presentations on Life Skills, Mental Illness and workshops pertaining to Suicide Intervention.