• Work Centre-based Programs
• Skills Development
• Employment Programs
• Other Services

Work Centre-based Programs:

For clients who are not ready for immediate entry into the workforce, there are opportunities within Causeway Work Centre itself.

Retail Services (Kitchen-Cafeteria)

Causeway consumers working with staff operate a kitchen that services a Snack Bar and a Cafeteria. These facilities offer light breakfasts and prepare the noon meal five days per week. Causeway’s kitchen includes industrial equipment that is found in a commercial setting, which allows consumers to gain the experience needed for employment in the food industry. More than 1,300 meals are served every month - these are generous, nutritious and made on the premises.

Skills Development:

“Breaking The Technology Barrier” Computer Training

The “Breaking the Technology Barrier Program” (BTTB) program provides technology-based learning and skills training to individuals with severe mental illness living in the Ottawa area.

The program is unique in that training is one-on-one and geared to meet the specific learning needs of the student. At the conclusion of the program, participants are able to utilize their newly learned skills in their educational and employment endeavours.

Participants in the program have access to a specially developed training curriculum that allows them to learn at their own pace.

Learn more about the BTTB program.

Solutions for Youth

Solutions for Youth is a 12 week pre-employment program that assists youth in developing the skills and knowledge to obtain employment or return to school at the end of the program. The program runs weekdays from 9:30 – 3:30 and the participants are paid minimum wage. Each participant will assess his/her skills, identify employment barriers and set employment and/or educational goals to be met by the end of the program. Solutions for Youth provides workshops on Resume Writing, Interview Techniques, Job Searching Techniques and Job Maintenance topics including; Stress Management, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Budgeting and Self Esteem.

Solutions for Youth participants are involved in a co-op placement, related to their field of interest, for a total of 25 hours within the program. The Co-op placement occurs Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00-3:30. There is also a Wellness Component to the Solutions for Youth program which involves going to the Hintonburg Community Centre. During this time Youth will participate in group sports.

Criteria for Admission

• 16 to 29 years of age.
• Be committed to finding employment or returning to school by the end of the 12 week program.
• Self identifies as having a mental illness.
• Perspective participants will be interviewed and 7 will be selected for the program.
• Speak and understand English.

Interested applicants should contact Frances Daly, the Intake worker at Causeway. 613-725-3494 ext. 115

Employment Programs:

Job Quest

Job Quest is a 3 month supported employment program funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), which is designed to provide rapid employment to the economically disadvantaged, specifically the homeless and those at risk. Causeway’s program is based on a hybrid of the IPS (Individual Placement and Support) and Job Coach Models of supported employment. The federal government and provincial Ministries of Health and Long-term Care recognize these as “best practice” models for supported employment.

Program Objective and Principles

The Job Quest’s objective is to help clients secure and retain paid employment. Program principles include:

• Focusing on client job preference and employment goals
• Emphasizing rapid job search and placement
• Gearing employment supports to the needs of the consumer
• Integrating employment supports with other community support systems

Causeway staff can assist with: resume writing, cover letters and interview skills; job placement and referrals; education and on-the-job training; job coaching and on-site support, as well as job follow-up and job retention. Job Quest offers rapid employment in full and part time jobs in different industries; Administrative, Customer Service, Retail, Hospitality, General Labour, Health Services and many more.

Employment Supports Program (ESP)

ESP is a 3 year program funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services of Ontario and is part of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The program helps people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities prepare for, obtain and retain paid employment. Causeway Work Centre is an authorized service provider for Ottawa. Participants are offered a wide range of specialized no-charge services including:

• Employment planning and assessments: Each participant is helped to develop an employment plan. This includes career exploration, an assessment of transferable skills and employment barriers and the identification of a career goal.
• Job placement: A participant is supported in finding competitive employment. Services may include on-the-job training, job trials and job coaching. Interview, resume and job-search skills are acquired in this process to ensure the future success of the participant.
• Job coaching: An Employment Support Specialist helps each participant to attain productivity comparable to other workers and assists with work performance issues. This may include assistance with on-the-job training.
• Job retention: Similar to job coaching, except the focus is assisting participants to maintain employment with limited on-going supports and follow-up services.
• Entrepreneurial training/self-employment program: A self-employment program designed to help participants start their own business.

Employment Resource Centre

The Resource Centre is a vital tool for both the Employment Support Program and the Job Quest Program. Many of our clients are disadvantaged and often don’t have access to the job seeking necessities. The Resource Centre offers clients the ability to develop their skills, access communication tools and provides clients with assistance in the following;

• Resume and cover letter preparation
• Assistance in developing interview skills
• Assisted or independent job search
• Access to employment resources, job postings and employment leads
• Use of computer terminals, telephone, fax, photocopier, mailing and supplies

Casual Jobs

This program has provided part-time employment opportunities to Causeway clients since 2000. The program partners - The City of Ottawa, Abottsford Senior Centre, Southeast Ottawa Community Centre, and Ottawa Salus provide casual work for Causeway consumers. There is seasonal work: snow shoveling contracts in winter; contracts for picking up discarded syringes and condoms in various Ottawa neighborhoods during the summer. As well, Causeway clients are matched up with seniors for work such as maintenance, house cleaning, yard-work and garbage removal.

Other Services:

Wellness Program

The Wellness Program was introduced by Causeway Work Centre to address issues of physical well being among those suffering mental illness and other disabilities. Their lifestyle often does not include regular exercise and many are economically disadvantaged so they do not always eat nutritious foods. The program encourages participants to develop healthier lifestyles including regular exercise and nutrious food choices while maintaining their present jobs or starting back to work in the future.

The Wellness Program presently operates at the Metro YWCA/YMCA in downtown Ottawa or in Causeway’s lower-level mini-gym under the guidance of a certified personal trainer. The “Y” sessions go Monday through Friday, normally from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and participants have access to AquaFit classes doing water-based aerobics in the pool and/or cardio-vascular training using Nautilus equipment, elliptical machines, mechanical treadmills and computerized bikes. After workouts, Wellness members can use the whirlpool, enjoy a recreational swim, or take a sauna and shower. The sessions end with socializing over coffee in the “Y” cafeteria. The program also offers nutritional and lifestyle counseling with meal planning and healthy food choices.

The Social Purchasing Portal (SPP)

The Ottawa Social Purchasing Portal is an Internet vehicle, designed to channel existing purchasing of goods and services to suppliers who are committed to Corporate Social Responsibility.

The purchasers and suppliers agree when committing to the portal to advertise and consider hiring persons who are hard-to-employ.

By channeling existing purchasing within our community and by promoting the use of everyday existing purchases of goods and services, such as office supplies, catering and couriers, local economic and social value is created without adding cost or loss of purchasing value.

Krackers Katering

Krackers Katering is an agency-sponsored entrepreneurial business that operates under the auspices of Causeway Work Centre. Launched in 1999 as a community economic development initiative, its primary purpose is to employ persons with severe and persistent mental illness so they can develop the skills and confidence necessary to break the cycle of isolation, poverty and unemployment. Krackers provides training opportunities, as well as full-time, part-time, and casual paid employment. Krackers offers catering for private or corporate functions, including luncheons, dinners, meetings, presentations, parties, weddings or funerals.

Krackers Katering receives funding from the United Way of Ottawa and currently employs 15 persons on a full-time, part-time or casual basis. Krackers is proof-positive that people with mental illness can be productive, contributing members of the community. For more information including menus: www.causewayworkcentre.org/krackers/ or call Krackers at (613) 792-4954.