The official name of the organization is “Shelburne Association Supporting Inclusion”; however, we like to refer to
ourselves as SASI.
Within vocational services, we are known as Heritage Hall in Shelburne, Mayflower Place and “Shift Employment Training” in Barrington Passage, and Beech Street Studio in Lockeport. These programs provide vocational/work skills training, educational/academic training, socialization skills, communication and lifeskills, etc. to individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health concerns. We also have three programs that provide residential services and supports. There is an eight bed group home (seven permanent beds and one respite bed) in the Town of Shelburne, a six bed developmental residence (Level 2) in Barrington Passage and we also provide support to three individuals living in their own apartments, one in Shelburne and two in Barrington Passage. The focus of the residential programs is to provide the level of individual support required in areas such as: activities of daily living, budgeting, community awareness, relationships, etc.
The non-profit society was incorporated in March 1985. The first vocational site (Sea Spray) was opened in the Barrington area in March 1989. This location is now known as “Mayflower Place”. Another site (Heritage Hall) was opened in the Shelburne area the following year. The Lockeport Program-Beech Street Studio began in December 2004. In September 2008 we started the Shift Employment Training Program which is a classroom and office location located in Barrington Passage. At the present time, in vocational services, we assist approximately 68 clients with a staff complement of eight. We encourage volunteers and students to assist with our programs and are always trying to build on partnerships with other community organizations. In the Barrington area, we operate several businesses from our vocational centre. There is a bakery and meals program and laundry and cleaning services. In Shelburne at Heritage Hall, commercial activities include: janitorial and cleaning services, laundry services and speciality engraving and trophies. In Lockeport, we operate a retail shop and we have a small scale bakery and café.
In September 2000, the Board of the organization agreed to undertake the establishment of residential services for persons with disabilities. In the Town of Shelburne a newly built group home was opened in January 2002. This group home is home to seven individuals and also has a respite/vacation bed for use by individuals in the community who meet the criteria of the Department of Community Services. This house is a licensed “Home for Special Care” and must meet specific licensing requirements of the Dept. of Community Services. It is inspected on an Annual basis.
The developmental residence is also a newly built facility and was opened in May 2002. Clients who live in this home are assessed by DCS as requiring a higher level of support than the clients who live at the group home. Presently, there are six individuals living at the house. It too is a licensed “Home for Special Care” and is inspected on an annual basis.
In November 2004, we received approval from the Department of Community Services to establish a supported apartment/independent living program. At the present time, we have three clients living in their own place with support given as needed by staff. Within residential services, we support 16 clients and have a total of 42 staff (includes full-time, part-time and casual).
We have nine volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors. Regular meetings take place on a bi-monthly basis, and committee meetings occur monthly or as required. Our annual meeting takes place in spring/early summer each year.
We are a charitable non-profit organization. The vocational programs receive funding for approx. 90% of staff wages from the Department of Community Services. The remaining 10% for staff wages and expenses relating to the operation of the four vocational/employment skills training sites are paid with revenue from our business ventures, per diems and fundraising activities. The residential services are 100% funded by the Department of Community Services for staffing and most operating costs; however, it is up to the organization to fundraise to maintain vehicles for use by the individuals of the residential programs and for special projects to enhance the quality of life for the individuals in our programs. Special projects include: trips to special places, camping experiences, plays, concerts, back yard/garden projects, sports equipment, etc.
Shelburne Association Supporting Inclusion is an active member in three provincial organizations/agencies. On the vocational side of things we are a member of DirectioNS Council for Vocational Services Society. On the residential side, we are a member of the Nova Scotia Residential Agencies Association. We also are members, and actively participate in the Canadian Mental Health Association-Yarmouth, Digby, Shelburne Branch.
Our programs are as diverse as the individuals for whom we provide support. Individuals’ challenges vary and may include an intellectual disability along with physical limitations, dual diagnosis of an intellectual disability and mental illness and/or individuals with a single diagnosis of long term mental illness. In order to capture the unique skills of each of these individuals and to support them in acquiring new skills and increased self worth we aim to make each of our programs as individual and unique as the person. We constantly seek out new ways of building on existing resources, building new relationships and finding alternative funding sources to further develop and enhance our programs.
We strongly encourage anyone who has an interest in finding out more about our programs to give us a call and/or visit any of our locations. Speak to those who live and work in our programs, ask questions and see what a difference programs such as SASI make in the community!