Our employment staff spend most of their time assisting community members with overcoming structural barriers and taking practical steps towards work. In Motion & Momentum (IM&M+) is unique in that it focuses on helping participants develop the skills and personal confidence necessary to move past more personal barriers to work.
Developed by the Canadian Career Development Foundation, IM&M+ is designed for people currently on social assistance who have recognized that they need more than just practical support to move forward in their employment journey. One of our longtime Employment Coordinators, Garnet, ran the first cohort this winter. He took 10 participants through 210 hours of modules over 10 weeks. The structure of the program creates a supportive environment where participants bond and take their time to choose the path best suited to their individual journey. Through activities and group discussions, participants are reminded of their strengths, skills, and value. Participants practice important life and work skills like teamwork, stress management, communication, and problem-solving. The program also provides the space to pause survival mode and set goals, make action plans, and find ways to deal with challenges while getting support from our staff.
The first cohort was a great success in that every single participant completed the full ten weeks and left the experience feeling positively changed. One participant, Gregory, said “For me, day one and the first couple weeks really was a major positive momentum shift in my mentality. I found myself surer of myself and hopeful for the first time in a long time.”
Personal growth is the first priority of this program, not immediate employment, but a few participants like Loretta felt empowered enough to find work right away. “At first, I wasn’t sure how this program would help me but as we got into it I enjoyed the interaction with everyone and the participation in the projects. I have found a two-year temporary part time position in a retirement home. I keep busy in my spare time volunteering. I am trying to change my situation and get out of the negative mindset and rebuild my life,” Loretta said.
As the facilitator, Garnet is most proud of the inner-growth he saw: “Their resilience and community mindedness shone through, and their growth was truly amazing to witness.” A few months after the end of the program, participants are still in contact with each other and continuing the work they began together.