The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island will receive a community grant worth $25,000 through the Victoria Foundation for its innovative employment program.
The society, which operates a thrift store in Langford and offers many other social programs around Greater Victoria, runs the BLESS program, an acronym for Building Lasting Employment Success Strategies.
The program is directed toward adults with mental, developmental and physical disabilities to assist them in finding appropriate part-time employment. The goal is to increase the quality of participants’ lives through creating financial, emotional and social stability and independence.
Among the skills participants learn are overcoming obstacles to employment and achieving greater independence and self-esteem.
For more information about the program or Saint Vincent de Paul, visit svdpvictoria.com or email info@svdpvictoria.com.