HOPEworks
HOPEworks is a part-time pre-employment preparation program for individuals who have experienced serious mental health issues and who have had little or no work experience. The HOPEworks program has three phases, beginning with 12 weeks of group counselling and personal development sessions that build confidence and awareness of each individual’s employability. Upon graduation from Phase I, participants can pursue a variety of next steps that might include a work placement in the community or similar activity for another 12 weeks during which time they receive ongoing support from an employment counsellor. This phase is intended to consolidate personal skills developed during the first phase and allow for career explorations that might suggest future directions. Phase III provides the participant with real work experience either in a placement in the community or in one of the SBCS Career programs in Food Services or the Trades Helper program.
Throughout the program, participants receive considerable support and counselling from personal development personnel as well as career counsellors who work closely with each individual to support their transition to the world of work.
Now in its tenth year of operation, the HOPEworks program has many hundreds of graduates who have had success in the workplace and are pursuing careers – for some, the first time in their adult lives.
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