On Thursday, April 26, more than 40 people attended a celebration marking 10 years of providing community inclusion and paid employment for people with developmental disabilities at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre’s Sunshine Shack.
“The kiosk is a great opportunity for the 10 employees to give back to their community,” said Gibsons Family Network board chair Pat Stuart. “They love coming to work to learn new things and meet new people.”
Community Living BC (CLBC) director Doug Portfors, who was part of the original team to approve the project, was in attendance from Vancouver, while Ken Morita, CLBC director from Powell River, Goli Khalafi from North Vancouver, and retired CLBC local facilitator Aldis Wengle were there to share in congratulating Gibsons Family Network on the successful kiosk venture. CLBC provides funding support for a part-time manager of the kiosk and a community inclusion person.
Gibsons Family Network (GFN) is a family organization that originally began in 2004 with the purpose of providing opportunities for community inclusion and employment for family members who have developmental disabilities. It received charitable status in 2006 and in 2008 opened the coffee kiosk at the Gibsons Community Centre. The group received a grant from the Vancouver Foundation to purchase the kiosk.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) provided a contract to open at the Community Centre and allowed the Sunshine Shack to operate a concession at minor hockey games. The 10 employees who work at the Sunshine Shack are paid from the profits of the kiosk and concession sales.
GFN also accessed funding startup grants from the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation, Gibsons Rotary Club, Gibsons Lions Club, the Thrift Store and the Bank of Montreal Foundation. In addition, many local people made donations to the charity both individually and through United Way. Regular, ongoing daily food products are donated by SuperValu, Wheatberries, The Bakery, IGA and Strait Coffee.
“GFN has received wonderful support from the community,” Stuart said.
The Sunshine Shack provides 80 per cent healthy food snacks and beverages and is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Maude Parent is the community inclusion support person who encourages participation in community activities such as art, cooking, nutrition, employment skills and interview strategies. “She enjoys taking the participants on field trips to explore new opportunities and places,” said Stuart.
Job coach Jeannie Barwise first offered a pre-employment training program at the old Gibsons Library, thanks to the Town of Gibsons, while the Community Centre was under construction. “She is a retired teacher and has always found ways to encourage all her students as she develops their strengths,” Stuart said. The program she offered was called STARS – Striving Towards Achieving Relevant Skills.
GFN works to develop partnerships with other community organizations and businesses to promote inclusion and enable people with disabilities to realize their potential. A grant from the Sunshine Coast Health Care Auxiliary for a therapeutic riding program is the most recent addition to the opportunities available for people with disabilities.
Directors on the GFN board include Mercy Campbell, Shannon Martel, Don Stuart, Denise Brooks and
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