According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 75 to 85 per cent of people with serious mental illness are unemployed – despite the fact that up to 80 per cent of people with mental health problems could return to work in flexible work environments
- Houselink provides a recovery based work environment. We engage over 100 Houselink participants – almost 1/3 of the adult membership – in part-time, casual and relief roles throughout the year. Participants are referred and trained to provide:
- Property maintenance services, such as landscaping, cleaning, painting, patching drywall and snow shoveling
- Administrative services, including front office reception and courier services
- Program support, including drop in operators, peer support, arts and crafts leaders and community kitchen cooks.
All placements have a training component to enable participants to develop new and transferable skills. The counseling and supports we provide, as well as the experience of the role itself, help program participants strive for untapped potential.
Participants receive a fair wage, work experience, skill development, individual support and a sense of independence. Houselink also provides professional job search coaching, resume preparation services and access to the internet.
Through our supported employment program, we are responding to a real need and helping to improve the economic base of a historically impoverished community.