A program that helps Tri-City students with developmental disabilities get paid work could be coming to an end unless School District 43 can kick in some cash.
That's the problem facing the Simon Fraser Society for Community Living (SFSCL), which has funded the Youth Employment Initiative that helped 15 SD43 students get jobs and another 11 learn job readiness skills with a grant from the Vancouver Foundation.
"I think we've got the bones here of a model that can create systemic change for kids across B.C. We can't do any of it if we stop," SFSCL's Rachel le Nobel told The Tri-City News.
Helping students gain independence is another goal of the program and le Nobel said students are using fewer resources, such as education assistants, because they are learning life skills through the initiative.
"They are starting to be self-determined adults now," le Nobel said, citing the cases of graduating students who have gone on to study culinary arts and take full-time jobs and another student who no longer needs two support workers to get around school.
The program is currently available in three SD43 schools but the society would like to see it expanded to all eight secondary schools, even across B.C.
Up until now, the program has been free to SD43 but le Nobel is looking for SD43 to invest in the project. The non-profit agency needs funding for two employment facilitators, a support worker and a part-time co-ordinator.
