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Since joining the ranks as coordinator of the Innovations Program in January, Faye Williams has learned the joy in helping clients overcome their barriers and return to the workforce. "For someone to actually realize they need more help than just finding a job and there are certain steps they need to take to get there…I think that's a huge success," explains the former resident of Walpole Island First Nation. Five years ago Faye came to Six Nations as a welfare caseworker. With experience from her own first nations' welfare office, she was more than ready to embark on the position of coordinator. Because Ontario Works, the welfare program run on Six Nations, wasn't available in Walpole Island, Faye was being trained to fulfill an employment counsellor role. "I was learning all about developing and facilitating workshops, how to do assessments, helping people with their plans and where they should go," she explains. She also gained experience while working as a welfare caseworker in both Brantford and Hamilton. Now she's using the skills she acquired to help the clientele on Six Nations. The Innovations Program, which helps those in the Ontario Works program gain employability skills, create resumes and cover letters and overcome employment barriers, has seen a lot of successes. Faye recalls one gentleman who was able to return to work after the program covered his unpaid union dues. "He called me yesterday just to say thank you and it was something huge for him and he's just so excited about it," she says. |
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| Faye
Williams, Coordinator for Innovations |
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The Innovations program is annually funded by G.R.E.A.T and this year was provided with $278,077 in funding. G.R.E.A.T. works cooperatively with Innovations to meet the needs of Six Nations citizens. According to Faye, unlike similar programs on other reserves, the Innovations program has the additional benefit of being located so close to other communities. Faye also sits on a community action group which meets monthly in Brantford and shares an overview of the programs available at various organizations. She says this benefits the clients because "we're always having more options to give people." Being from a small reserve herself, Faye knows what it's like when members from other communities tour Six Nations’ facilities. "Because of the program that we're offering here, they can tailor it to whatever is going to be comfortable for them and something they can develop and put together themselves," she says. A workshop has been developed to help smaller reserves learn the processes on Six Nations and utilize them in their own community. Faye states that it's a valuable learning experience for them as any improvement to service benefits the client. |
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| "The knowledge I've accumulated from the programs I've taken through innovations have helped me like stepping stones," explains Michele Atkins, a 30-year-old member of Six Nations. | |||||
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Currently working through OSTTC's nine-week Committed to Self Improvement
(CSI) program, Michele is one of Innovations success stories.
While a client realizing they need help may not seem like a big step, the programs staff see it as a remarkable accomplishment. Michele agrees, "They provided the counselling I needed to set myself goals, even if they seemed so little, they were goals that needed to be achieved." Little things like ensuring she had all her I.D., working on her resume and cover letter and providing counselling support, all added up to help Michele turn her life around. "They acknowledged me and made me feel alive," she says. Involved in drugs and alcohol and released from incarceration at the age of 28, Michele sought Six Nations Social Assistance. It was there she was directed to the Innovations program. "Everything I've taken from it makes me feel so much more positive and more powerful," she says. The strength comes from knowing she's making a positive change for herself and from having the support she needs to do it.
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Michele
Atkins |
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"Each one of them has helped me in one way or another," she says, adding, "Even if it was just giving me a smile that day when I really needed a smile." In the CSI program, Michele is learning the skills needed to recover the values of cooperation and community contribution. As well she’s developing her career and life skills. While she says she's just taking things one day at a time she hopes to continue her education and prepare for a career in drug and addiction counselling. "I would like to be working within my community. I see so much and I believe I can offer my community something," she says. Like Michele, many seek social assistance not knowing the benefits of the program right next door. She says she feels it has given her a whole new philosophy on life. According to Michele, there’s a greater pride in knowing that you’re working for your accomplishments rather than someone handing them to you. “You could be feeling better about yourself because you did the work." Thanks to innovations and all those who’ve believed in her, Michele feels like she's got real goals in her life. She encourages others to seek out the program, "They could turn their whole life right around: I know I did." |
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Interested
individuals can contact Becky or Brandi at (519) 445-2222 for information. |
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Workshop
Name |
Date |
Time |
Location |
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Resume/Cover letter |
Thursdays |
10
a.m. - 12 p.m. |
Career
Information Centre |
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November
17 |
1
p.m. - 3 p.m. |
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December
15 |
1
p.m. - 3 p.m. |
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Youth
Intake |
Tuesdays |
10
a.m. - 12 p.m. |
Career
Information Centre |
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Portfolio
as a Marketing Tool |
October
6 |
Call
for times |
Career
Information Centre |
||
Helpful
Tips on Applying for Band Council Jobs |
November
22 and December 13 |
1 p.m. - 3 p.m. |
Career
Information Centre |
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Surviving
the Interview |
November
24 and December 20 |
1
p.m. - 3 p.m. |
Career
Information Centre |
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