January–April 2005

Newsletter

Archives Program, Community Em-

ployment and the Active Lifestyles

Club, as it provides a visual repre-

sentation of the programs. The web

site also incorporates quotes from

families and business people who

have had positive experiences with

us over the years and a general de-

scription of what type of educa-

tional/vocational development is

encouraged.

All of us at DASC couldn‟t be more

pleased at how everything looks.

We encourage you to check out our

web site at www.dasc-ns.ca

After 6 months

of comprehen-

sive planning and

development,

DASC‟S new

logo, informa-

tional pamphlet

and web site

were unveiled in January. Each phase of this

process was painstakingly thought out to reflect

the varied aspects of DASC today. Our new

promotional material includes our mission

statement and value statements which we as-

cribe to our organization. We wanted our new

promotional materials to echo the commitment

we have to our employees and illustrate our

positive environment.

Our new logo

represents how

DASC facilitates

the personal

growth of our

employees.

Some viewing

the logo

feel it is a

person

traveling

on a road

towards

their

goals,

others view the logo as a person reaching

up towards the sky. However we view the

logo, there is that underlying theme of goal

attainment, growth and movement.

Our new

web site

captures

the funda-

mental

nature of

our three

vocational

programs (Mail Room, Altar Bread Co.,

and General Contracts 2), our three pre-

vocational programs (General Contracts 1,

Social Skills, and Lifeskills), the Federal

DASC Unveils New Logo and Web Site

ARCHIVES Employee Realizes Dream Valerie Moore, long

time employee of

DASC‟s Federal Ar-

chives Disposal Pro-

gram, realized a per-

sonal dream this past

December. Valerie has

been associated with

The Special Olympics

Dartmouth Dolphins

Swim Club for the past

32 years as an athlete. Her experience with the

Dartmouth Dolphins was such a positive one that

she wanted to write a book about it. After much

dedication to this writing project, Valerie‟s dream

came true and in December, she had 50 copies of

her book “Where the Dolphins Swim” printed.

This book is a wonderful glimpse into Valerie‟s

swimming history, her love of the sport and her

tenacity to realize a personal dream. Valerie won

38 medals and 121 ribbons during her time with the

Dolphins. She also traveled to Moncton, Truro and

as far away as Toronto to compete. Valerie re-

ceived a certificate from her Coaches for

“Sportsperson of the Year” in 2000. In 2003, she

was presented with; the Special Olympics Bear

“Pierre”, a certificate and a note of tribute from the

Provincial Special Olympics Office. She retired

from active competition in 2003, but she remains a

part of the team in a coaching capacity. After her

book was printed, Valerie presented each of her co-

workers at the Archives with an autographed copy.

She also presented DASC with a copy of her book

to place in our library. Valerie‟s book is an inspira-

tion for all of us, always look to the future and

work towards those dreams you treasure.

Inside this issue:

Employment

Conference

2

Archives News 2

Neocon Inc. 3

Annual Bar

Auction

3

General news 4

Community

Employment

4

Page 2

Newsletter

Employment Milestones We would like to take an opportu-

nity to recognize some employment

milestones for our Employees. As

you are aware, DASC supports ap-

proximately 157 individuals in their

employment endeavours. Of these

employees some have significant

years of service. In this and subse-

quent newsletters we will be ac-

knowledging their success.

5+ Years Cory Dillman

Jamey Cassell

Matthew McNeill

10+ Years

Craig George

Juanita Gillam

Krista Power

Russell Mortimer

15+ Years Cindy Gallichon

David MacDonald

20+ Years Elizabeth Attwood

Andrew Axford

Peter Raymond

David Sharp

Dan Sullivan

Brenda Parker

25+ Years

We were sorry to hear that Gary

MacNutt passed away on March 19th.

Gary worked at DASC for 22 years be-

fore retiring this past fall. Our condo-

lences go out to Gary‟s family, former

roommates and RRSS staff .

In Memory

On March 4-5 the Direc-

tioNS Council for Voca-

tional Services in Nova Sco-

tia, hosted a two day

conference on commu-

nity employment.

DASC, Prescott group

and Anchor Industries

hosted two joint presen-

tations at this event.

Cathy Deagle-Gammon,

Executive Director of

DASC and President of

DirectioNS, gave both

the opening and closing re-

marks at the conference.

Our first presentation enti-

tled “Community Employ-

ment Success” was a panel

discussion that featured a

successful community em-

ployment client from each

of our respective centers,

their employers and job

coaches. DASC was pleased

to have Matthew Murray,

who works with the Atlantic

Superstore as a baker‟s as-

sistant, represent us on the

panel. Matthew‟s commu-

nity employment success is

what we strive to achieve for

our clients. This success is

made possible by approach-

ing community employ-

ment endeavors from a

multifaceted approach.

This approach is facili-

tated by having an indi-

vidual with a strong work

ethic, a positive work-

place environment, the

support of family/

caregivers and the on-

going support from the

vo c a t io na l c e n t e r .

DASC would like to thank

Matthew, his family, Job

Coach Myrna Findlay and

the Superstore Employees

for sharing their experi-

ences with our employment

initiatives.

The Rodeo Lounge and Restaurant was

the location for our annual bar auction

which took place on March 12th. We

were all on edge as the day approached

as a snow storm was forecast to hit

metro on the very day of the auction.

Thankfully, the storm held off until the

auction was over. This event was the

most successful Bar Auction thus far,

raising $10,500 for DASC. The array

of items was incredible, filling our

board room and causing lots of pre-

auction interest. Once again DASC

wishes to thank all of the businesses and

individual donors that contributed goods

for the auction, as well as all of these peo-

ple who volunteered their time throughout

the day.. Without all of your generous

donations and support, we would not

have been as successful. A special thank

you is extended to Carla and all of the

Rodeo staff for their continued collabora-

tion on this and many other events.

COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE 2005

DASC’s Annual Bar Auction a Success!

Matthew Murray

DASC Staff

On the following day of

the conference DASC, Pres-

cott Group and Anchor Indus-

tries were involved in

another panel discus-

sion, “Families Who

Have Been There”. This

was an opportunity for

five parents to talk

frankly about the highs

and lows of trying to

obtain community em-

ployment options for

their children. DASC

was represented by Norm

McNeill whose son Matthew

has been employed at DASC

for the past 9 years.

The panel discussions were

a tremendous success for all

three of the vocational centers,

it highlighted their success and

provided prospective employ-

ees and families with invalu-

able information.

DASC Staff

Page 3

January–April 2005

The mission of DASC, in association with its community, is to provide opportu-

nities for adults with an intellectual disability and support them in realizing in-dividual potential.

Federal Archives Opens New Site In Burnside

Neocon Inc.– One of our Community Partner’s Neocon has been a commu-

nity partner of DASC‟s for

the past 12 years. The

word Neocon is derived

from the Greek word for

new, “Neo” and “Con”,

which is short for concept.

They are innovators in the

world of custom plastic de-

sign and moulding. Its

world class manufacturing facility is located in Burnside Indus-

trial Park and has been in operation since 1993. They are spe-

cialists in cargo management systems, interior convenience sys-

tems, floor protection systems and custom products for the auto-

motive industry. The Neocon team creates products that are

found globally and for such well-known companies as Ford,

BMW, GM and Volkswagen. Neocon„s product base is very

diverse as they manufacture a multitude of products from plastic

liners for hotel mini bars to

sonobouy components used

by the US Navy. They

ascribe to high standards of

quality according to the

International Quality As-

surance Standards such as

the: IS0 9001, Q59000 and

Ford‟s Q1.

Neocon prides itself on

having a fast turn around

for the customer. The creative workforce at Neocon is able to

take an initial design, turn it into a prototype and have it produc-

tion ready in 8-12 weeks. This creative, timely and flexible

approach of doing business is

what makes them an industry

leader.

Neocon is committed to En-

vironmental Green Initiatives,

at their Burnside site. They

process water to re-circulate

and reuse; have an innovative “trapped” process heat system,

whereby heat is recaptured and reused to heat the facility; plus

they practice general waste recycling programs.

The relationship between DASC and Neocon has been a con-

stant over the past 12 years. We assemble hardware kit packages

for Neocon. Our employees have worked steadily on this con-

tract and deliver the quality that Neocon expects from any of its

partners. DASC always ensures that the contract is completed in

a timely manner. As this contract involves multiple steps it pro-

vides an opportunity for skill development; and the variety of

tasks makes it enjoyable. One of our Employee‟s, Carolyn Coo-

per, says she likes the

contract because it keeps

her busy; Arnold Wam-

boldt enjoys finishing the

completed bags with the

sealing machine. All of us

here at DASC are pleased

to have Neocon as one of

our community partners

and we hope to continue

this mutually beneficial

business relationship.

work within the archives disposal pro-

gram; they are very pleased to have a

shorter commute each day. The new site

boasts; a bright and appealing décor, an

improved exhaust system (which will

remove fine paper particles), a larger

work space and washrooms with emer-

gency assistance pulls. The employees

are thrilled with these changes and appre-

ciate the large windowed lunchroom that

is bright and inviting. The Boardroom is

After a year of construction, the new

home of the Federal Archives Program

was official opened in January 2005. The

new Burnside location, on John Savage

Avenue,

is more

co nven -

ient for

our 10

employ-

ees who

still spacious enough to accommodate our

b i - w e e k l y

educational

development

group and it

ha s t he

added bene-

fits of being

bright and

well equipped. Congratulations on your

new site.

Arnold W. from DASC

sealing assembled bags

DASC

10 Akerley Blvd., Suite 24

Dartmouth, NS

B3B 1J4

Phone: (902) 468-6606

Fax: (902) 468-5359

DASC Employee and Staff News

” DASC will never be a static organi-zation because of the devotion, dedication and hard work of clients and staff, the support of community partners and families, and the vision and guidance of the Board. We need to continue to strive for the best, to continue to push to our lim-its and to set an example for our in-dustry” Susan Ehler, DASC Chairperson

Barb Corbin has been associated with DASC‟s community employment program

since 1992 and is currently a mail messenger at the Bedford Institute of Oceanogra-

phy. Barb has been in this position for the past 31/2 years. Barb‟s duties each day at

BIO are quite extensive. She assists her co-worker with sort-

ing the daily mail; this is by no means an easy job as they

have to sort mail for approximately 800 people who work at

BIO. Once the mail is sorted, Barb and her colleague are re-

sponsible for distributing it throughout two interconnecting

buildings three times a day and one out-building two times

day. When asked what Barb likes best about her position at

BIO she said she “likes the people” who work in the building.

Barb feels she has been successful, because she is quick and

friendly, and she says “You have to be friendly to work here”.

Her co-workers would agree. Barb enjoys the busy atmos-

phere of the BIO environment. She likes to attend BIO‟s

summer BBQ and have lunch with Jill Eaton , her Job Coach, at the BIO cafeteria.

During her spare time Barb likes to bake, do word finds, walk and go shopping. We

wish Barb continued success.

It‟s been a busy time here at DASC, but we all took the time to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. We would like to extend con-

gratulations to Linda DeWolfe; she was named Employee of the Month at McDonald‟s in Novemeber. If you remember, Linda was men-

tioned in our last issue as she was hired by MacDonald‟s after the completion of a very successful work experience. Keep up the good

work! Wendy Goldrich who works in General Contracts 11, completed her work experience at the Dollarama on Wyse Road, where she

sorted and stocked shelves. Wendy seemed to like the busy atmosphere and job skills she acquired. One of our community Employment

clients, Barry Crawley, began a new position with the Metro Centre on April 5. Barry is responsible for many custodial duties . All the

best on you new job Barry!

We were pleased to have Mandy Murphy with us for three months in Social Skills. The employees will miss her, but fortunately we will

continue to see Mandy on a casual basis.

As part of DASC‟s on-going commitment to staff training, the following courses were offered: Program Training, Hoya Lift training,

Snoezelen training and a CPI refresher course.

The Active Lifestyles club warmly welcomed Trina, who returned from maternity leave in mid- April. Trina and her son Benjamin were

pictured in our last newsletter when they attended the Active Lifestyle‟s Tea Social. Welcome back!

The Active Lifestyles Club has participated in some great activities over the past months. A number of the clients had the opportunity to

go to the Mermaid Café in Grand Desert, a wonderful spot to chase away the winter blues. Brenda P. enjoyed skating with Staff at Cole

Harbour Place . The clients at the club also took in some cultural activities over the winter; they visited the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia to

view the Rodin exhibit, and they viewed the Alzheimer Exhibit created by artist in residence for the Memory Clinic. Gladys K. has vis-

ited the Braemar Superstore in Dartmouth Superstore to attend their nutritional seminars. Gladys says of the experience “ I like going and

meeting different people... sometimes we walk”. This experience is a wonderful opportunity for community inclusion and the Active Life-

styles Club is pleased to be able to participate.

Julie Roberts, who is an instructor in the mail room, was married in sunny Jamaica on February 17, 2005. All of us at DASC wish Julie

and Craig a joyful life together.

We would like to welcome Richard Lelievre and Melody Patey who joined us as casual staff during February. We are glad to have you as

part of our team.

In February, Vikii MacKinnon and 12 of her students from the Nova Scotia Community College, Truro Campus, came for a tour of our

facility. Each year we welcome those students who are completing their Human Service Worker course and provide them an opportunity

to see practical applications for their studies. The students especially enjoyed our Snoezelen Room.

Tina Elliot made a presentation to the Nova Scotia Community College around career exploration, in February. Tina explained what career

options would be available at DASC for those individuals who are currently completing their Human Service Worker Course. It was a

wonderful opportunity to emphasize DASC‟s various programs and our commitment to our employees.

Community Employment

Page 4