The initial need that was addressed by the creation of this program was a profound lack of collaborative partnerships between organizations, persons with disabilities, and local employers. There was a high level of sustained unemployment within the disabled community in the area. People that had been out of the workforce for extended periods of time had difficulty mustering the confidence to apply for jobs. While many persons expressed a keen desire to return to work, they often faced rejection due to a lack of skills, a prolonged absence from the workforce, and less than adequate resumes and interview skills. Interviewing both the persons with disabilities as well as area employers and Human Resource Managers identified and confirmed these issues.

What was lacking was a mediator who would develop the relationships with the employers and provide a medium between the persons wanting to work, providing the skills needed, arranging workplace tours and bringing the employers in to create relationships which would lead to offers of work itself.

We knew that we could rely on the support of the local employers. They all expressed a desire to contribute to our mandate of community inclusion and opportunities. We spent many days with the employers identifying skills that their employees required, work ethics that they were looking for, interview issues and why they hired applicants or not.  In almost every case, three main areas were always identified as being key issues; customer service skills, communications skills, and interview skills.

Now we had our foundation. Next we needed computers, a network printer and supporting technology. This initiative was so unique; there was no possibility of applying for government monies in order to develop the program. Instead, devoted volunteers, all persons with disabilities, came out every weekend and washed cars at the local Harvey’s, Winks Gas station and other local businesses. We went to the local Hock Shop and arranged the purchase of eight computers, printers and supporting technology. Participants have always expressed such great respect for our beginnings and history.

We began delivering the program to the first group of eight participants with the encouragement of Social Services, Ontario Disability Support Program, Workers Safety and Insurance Board, and Canada Pension Plan Long Term Disability. During the program, we worked closely with the employers and indeed they came in to the program delivering presentations to the participants. On graduation day, all eight of the participants had been hired full time. Words cannot describe the excitement in the air on this day. The participants had not worked on average of seven years at this point. To see the look in the eyes of their family members was incredible. The program graduated on Friday. The following Monday we began the next program with another eight participants. On the second graduation seven of the eight had employment on graduation day.

In January of 2003, we opened a new pilot project in St. Catharines. The National Network for Mental Health provided $10,000 for initial start-up costs for the project. Our first program ran from February 3 to March 21, 2003. We started the second program on April 14, 2003 and this program graduated on May 30, 2003. Upon program completion, 13 of 15 participants went directly to full time employment and one to part time. All 13 are still working full time. Our success is largely due to the participants themselves and their sincere desire to move forward and progress in life.

In December 2003 we commissioned an independent review by the Chenier Consulting Group. This review confirmed a job placement and retention rate of 88% and a quote from the report reads “This program has had a profound and lasting impact on the seventy-three participants who came through the doors of BUILT over the past fifteen-month period. The success rate and results, which have been substantiated by this review, are nothing short of spectacular.”