CMHA - Durham has psychosocial rehabilitation programs which are offered from the location in Oshawa (New Horizons). The program is a fostered sense of community where staff and members work together to run a program that is beneficial for its membership. They provide a wide variety of services that meet the needs and enrich the lives of individuals who participate in the program and it's activities. It is a comprehensive rehabilitation program for adults who are coping with chronic mental health issues. The focus of the program is to improve the quality of life for each individual by creating opportunities to develop and enhance transferable vocational and life skills that will assist in fully integrating within the larger community. New Horizons is designed to create a restorative environment where people can build self-esteem and hope.

New Horizons is structured into two units, the Kitchen Unit and the Clerical Unit. In each unit both staff and clients work together to ensure the necessary daily tasks are complete. Individuals have the opportunity to participate, to be responsible for tasks, to teach others, to get support, to learn from others and to feel like they are a vital part of a community that welcomes and appreciates their contributions. Groups that are provided at New Horizons focus on the vocational, educational, and personal growth needs of the clientele. Groups provide Literacy, Computer Training, Current Events, Food Safety and Handling and "I Will Work". Social Recreation events are held on occasion which provide a diversion to the daily work of the program. Social Recreation activites include dances, camping, baseball and special outings.

• Support around community resources
• Access to supportive employment
• Recreation / socialization
• Affordable meals
• Educational & Leadership opportunities

For further information please call (905) 436-8760 ext. 201
Email: newhorizonscmha@cmhadurham.org

The Small Business Initiatives Program is an innovative concept in providing paid work assessments to individuals living with mental health issues. It is part of the community based rehabilitation program of the CMHA Durham Branch. Its motto is "Satisfaction Matters".

This program supports a member's return to work with a broad range of options including Transitional, Part-time, Full-time, and Independent Placements. The work ranges from entry level to more advanced, and are at competitive wages. The Rehabilitation Program has resources specifically focused on employment options for its members.

Benefits to our employees include opportunities for participants to learn and build on skills gained through hands on work experience in our business initiatives program, learn new skills while being paid minimum wage or better, and be supported throughout the program with the intimate goal of obtaining employment in the community. These work opportunities are not about charity or donation, rather they are about high quality services, provided at a reasonable cost.

Services available through the Small Business Initiatives include:

County Town Catering - Hot and cold catering contracts available for customers made in our industrial kitchens

MaintainABLE - Repairs, builds, paints, fixes etc. projects for customers

RemoveABLE - Move customers from one home or office to another

CleanInc - Vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, mopping, cleaning of restrooms, windows, emptying garbage, for all small and large businesses

Central Lawn Maintance - cutting and edging lawns, fertilizing, trimming hedges, aerating, raking, turning flower beds, and cleaning up in the spring after pets

The Hubbell Café, a joint venture of CMHA Durham, Whitby Mental Health Centre, and CMHA East Metro Toronto, has been in operation since 1999. The Café provides training for individuals recovering from mental illness and unemployment.

These businesses are non-profit programs created through CMHA Durham. They were initiated to meet the growing requirements for paid work assessments to individuals who are recovering from mental or emotional difficulties.

The Employment Program/Small Business Initiatives began a new initiative, in 2004, that is a partnership with E.A. Lovell (the Adult Learning Centre) in Oshawa. The Program is called "Human Beans" and is a coffee kiosk that serves the students and staff of E.A. Lovell. We employ five individuals on a permanent part time basis, and the kiosk operates Monday to Friday throughout the school year. The kiosk offers coffee and snacks, as well as fresh soup and sandwiches daily (provided through New Horizons).

For further information please call (905) 436-8760 ext. 201
Email: employmentcmha@cmhadurham.org