Colchester Community Workshops 2.97

The workshop currently offers nine programs as well as two off-site businesses. In house programs operate with one instructor and 8 – 10 clients, and have two primary areas of focus, client needs and program revenues.

The Button and Ribbon program is the oldest program in the workshop having been started in the mid-1970’s with the manufacturing of buttons. In the mid-1980’s it expanded to include the production of ribbons and has continued to grow from there. The finished product is shipped across Canada as well as internationally.

Production Assembly has grown from what was originally called the woodworking program. This program is responsible for the production of survey stakes and also the cutting, splitting and bagging of kindling which is then supplied to various businesses throughout the community. Production Assembly also partners with Kohler Windows in Debert, by cutting various products for Kohler’s production line.

Small Contracts specializes in mail-outs which includes folding, collating, envelope stuffing, assembly and labeling. They have an on-going contract with the local Lion’s Club for Bingo cards and are also involved in sorting jewelry to be sold in the New-to-You.

Contract Plus also partners with Kohler by preparing various supporting, protective devices to assist Kohler when shipping their windows and doors. As well, Contracts Plus has an ongoing contract with Intertape Polymer to cut and label various products for display at their trade shows. Other various assembly contracts may be completed in this program.

Resources Plus program is responsible for the books that are donated and in turn are sold in the store. They have on-going contracts with Kohler Windows and the Rotary Club in Truro. They also bag toys and hang clothing for the New-to-You.

The New-to-You Store is our retail outlet that sells recycled clothing and ‘yard-sale’ items which are donated by the community as well as serving as an outlet for our rags and kindling.

The New-to-You clothing program looks after the clothing that is sold in the Store. They accept ‘gently used’ clothing from the community, sort it and send it to one of three different streams. The first is putting it out for sale in the retail area, the second is the “Second Sort’ where things not put in the store are sent overseas and the third is cottons which are used for rags.

Second Life Used Goods is responsible for the yard sale items. Donations are received by the community and this program sorts and prices them. Any metals and electronics not sold in the store are sent to Enviro-Depots for recycling, the jewellery is sent to Small Contracts and the small toys are sent to Resources Plus to be sorted and priced for the store.

The Cleaning Program is our janitorial program and they are responsible for keeping the workshop looking clean and presentable. These clients also work in The Intercolonial Café which offers items for your coffee break as well as a lunch menu featuring a daily special and has proven to be a popular spot, both in-house and within the local community!

Our Community Employment Program was developed to support those clients who had an interest in seeking employment within the Community. The instructor in this program works closely with clients in developing resumes, learning the skills necessary to succeed in the work world and how to present themselves in an interview. Upon obtaining employment, the Instructor follows up regularly with the client and employer to ensure all necessary supports are in place, making for a successful work placement.