If you’ve noticed some small changes to a few of the businesses around Tsawwassen, you’re not imagining things.
Youth from the Delta Community Living Society’s Leading Employment and Achieving Possibilities (LEAP) program have been working with the Tsawwassen Business Improvement Association this summer to “beautify” local businesses.
LEAP is a partnership with the Delta School District to assist youth to make the transition from the school system into the adult world. Three LEAP youth, aged 18 and 19, have been working on little projects at various locations around the Tsawwassen business core this summer.
For at least two of them, this is their first job.
For Cassidy, who won’t be returning to school this fall, this is her second job.
“I think the great thing about this for Cassidy is maybe she’s had a job but now she’s actually trying out different skillsets that she never thought she would really enjoy and she’s realized how much gardening is something she enjoys,” says Rochelle Ali, employment services counsellor for the Delta Community Living Society.
Ali says another youth, Nikki, has never been employed, so she’s learning basic skills like dressing appropriately, being on time, making sure she has enough water for the day when working outdoors, and other adult responsibilities.
The third youth, Jason, enjoys the “manly work” of his first job, like lifting heavy rocks and working with the dirt.
All three are paid by the Tsawwassen BIA at least minimum wage or better for their work, with the opportunity for wage increases for returning workers next season.
The partnership began after Ali was invited to speak at the Tsawwassen BIA’s March AGM about the difficulty of finding employment for developmentally disabled youth who graduate out of the Delta School District.
The BIA allocated funds for wages and then invested $500 for equipment to provide the youth with materials to beautify participating businesses.
“The best thing about this whole thing is with these guys having their first jobs, learning all these skills, they’re also becoming a part of this community,” explains Ali.
“People are coming up to them and thanking them for what they’re doing.”
They’re people like Cyrus Mazdine, assistant branch manager at Envision Financial, whose credit union at the Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall received a gardenbox makeover at the front entrance.
Mazdine says the project was affordable at $58 and done in a timely manner while using local labour and materials.
“It’s really helping people get experience and get out there and be social and it’s exactly what’s needed.”
Jay Park, owner of D & G Recycling (also known simply as the bottle depot), paid $340 in materials to have his garden replanted and fresh paint applied.
Park says due to the age of the building it made sense to spruce the place up and although he was originally just planning on a paint job, he was pleased when the LEAP team came along with a better proposal.
The BIA will report back on the success of the program at its next AGM and plans to hire up to five members of LEAP next summer.
