A special event on Wednesday, Oct. 18, can help build awareness about inclusion — and give you a head start on holiday shopping.
The Community Ventures Society (CVS), that provides support, outreach and shared living services to people with developmental challenges, is hosting an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. at its DisDaBomb storefront in Port Moody.
The event is being held in conjunction with Community Inclusion Month.
DisDaBomb sells colourful, scented bath bombs that are made and marketed by some of the organization's clients, providing them employment and a sense of worth.
The shop was opened at 2342 Clarke St. in 2021 after several years of working the local craft fair circuit, school fundraisers, select pharmacies and online. The business was originally started by entrepreneur Angela Lusignan in 2010 then gifted to CVS in 2017.
Two or three days a week a small production team settles into the back part of the shop to mould the bath bombs' natural ingredients into playful shapes like spheres, rockets and video game controllers, then painting and packaging them for sale. They can produce up to 200 in a day and they’re paid minimum wage to supplement their disability incomes.
CVS also operates a dog walking service and the organization’s employment team works with local companies to educate them about the opportunities and advantages to provide jobs to developmentally challenged adults.
The organization said giving them a chance to work helps showcase the diverse abilities of people with developmental challenges.
"The people who are working in these businesses come to work excited for the day ahead and are eager to make the most of their role in the success of the business," said a post on its website.
"It really is a win-win for everyone."
You can find out more about the Community Ventures Society at its website.
