Options Employment Outreach Inc.
28 Richmond Street, Suite 304 E2L 3B2 Saint John, NB, Canada

Options would like to welcome Victoria Scott to our Board! Victoria Scott is a Learning Strategist for the New Brunswick Community College at the Saint John campus. She also leads the provincial NBCC Learning Strategy team. Victoria began her career as an instructor at NBCC before transitioning to Student Development in 2012. Her passion for supporting individuals that face barriers to education and assistance is evident in her work and volunteerism. Victoria serves as Vice ...President of the Elizabeth Fry Society of New Brunswick and is a regular volunteer at the Saint John SPCA. She is a passionate advocate for both human and animal rights. Her personal pursuits include SCUBA Diving, ocean conservation, sailing and travel.

Options would like to welcome our new Board Member James Larkin! James is an experienced finance professional, and holds a business degree and professional accounting designation. He specializes in financial planning and analysis, and currently works in the finance group with Kent Building Supplies. A proud Maritimer, he is always interested in opportunities to give back to the community, with a particular interest in furthering mental health awareness. James is excited to join the board of Options Outreach to support the organization in continuing to deliver valuable employment counselling services.

Sept. 15 marks New Brunswick Human Rights Day The following statement was issued today by Claire Roussel-Sullivan, chair of the New Brunswick Human Rights Comm...ission, to mark Human Rights Day: This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has made us realize the importance of being proactive in combatting the discrimination and inequalities we are experiencing in our province, communities, and families. We live in a province deeply rooted in diversity, and we must be able to count on one another to live in equality. It is also important that our different values and attitudes, actions, behaviours, and comments value respect for others and thus help all New Brunswickers overcome the challenges of the pandemic in their daily lives. Let us respect the rights of people working at home, who must strike a balance between work and family through this new school year, which brings with it some major adjustments for children, parents, and employers. Let us think of those searching for housing that meets their needs, despite the stress created by their precarious employment income. Let us think about people with special needs who must adjust to wearing a mask when the situation arises and who are asked to change their working or consumer habits. Let us seize opportunities to better understand the challenges and obstacles experienced by Indigenous peoples and LGBTQ2S communities in our province. It is important to treat others with dignity, respect and equality. You can contact the Human Rights Commission for information on how to better equip yourself to deal with the concerns of those close to you. Be active and informed. Since 2002, Sept. 15 has been the day that we officially commemorate the recognition of human rights in all communities across the province and underscores the coming into effect of the New Brunswick Human Rights Act on Sept. 15, 1967.

Thank you Susan Gordon and Luc LeBlanc from Nbasse/Assenb (NB Association for Supported Services and Employment) for being part of our Information Sharing Program this morning! It was great to get to know you both and know more about this partner in our community!

Working hard on resumes today at the office! As a Certified Resume Strategist I work with your Employment Counsellor to ensure you have the best resume to showcase your abilities and experience! Contact us today to discuss your options!

We hope all our students have a great first week back to school!

DAW - Disability Awareness Week which was postponed this year due to Covid-19, has been designated by The Premiers Council to take place the week of October 4th to 10th. We will keep you posted on what the committee decides for events this year!

Thank you Jody Brewer for doing an info sharing session with us! We enjoyed learning about Canadian Deafblind Association-NB Inc! www.cdba-nb.ca

We enjoyed our Staff Appreciation Day yesterday. We started with a relaxing ride down the Kennebecasis River and had lunch afterward at the Grass Roots Grill at the Hampton Golf Club.

This company in Fredericton makes personal face masks which are more comfortable for people who wear hearing aids. They are also great for people whose ears get sore from the elastics. https://looplifestyle.ca//adult-non-medical-grade-cloth-fa

NBDHHS Head office in Saint John will be closed Monday and Tuesday. There may have been a Covid exposure so we are closed until we get test results. Staff will be working from home.

We enjoyed our info sharing session this morning with Nigel Bone of Port City Counselling Services. We learned of all the great services they are offering in Saint John and shared the great things we are doing in the community as well. It was great to hear Nigel and his team are giving back and helping local nonprofits like the Sweet Caroline Foundation!

https://otc-cta.gc.ca//best-practices-interacting-persons-

Our partner, the New Brunswick Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Inc., is looking for a part-time Employment Counsellor in Fredericton! Read below to learn more and if interested, apply on Indeed! ... Company description NBDHHS is a non-profit service organisation that provides essential services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and late deafened individuals. Fredericton Works is a subsidiary of NBDHHS that provides employment services to people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Fredericton Region Job description Provide employment services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals in the areas of: Obtaining employment history, education and career goals. Identify barriers to employment and assist clients in overcoming these barriers. Working with clients on job readiness skills, job search strategies, resume writing and preparing for job interviews. Work with clients with job maintenance, moving up with an organization, job dissatisfaction, career changes and workplace transitions. Work with clients on cultural differences between Deaf and Hearing environments Employer contacts to promote clients' skills and abilities Work as a team with Deaf Employment Support Worker for Cultural Linguistic needs Work as a team with ASL/LSQ interpreters providing an appropriate Cultural Linguistic environment. Be aware of employment programs and services through PETL Have knowledge of Deaf culture and the impact of having a significant hearing loss Having knowledge of American Sign Language would be an asset Reference ID: ECFW Contract length: 7 months Part-time hours: 20 per week Job Types: Part-time, Contract Salary: $22,932.00-$27,147.00 per year Benefits: Extended Health Care On-site Parking Schedule: Monday to Friday COVID-19 considerations: We have on site protocols and policies in place to keep everyone safe when an on site visit is necessary. Presently most sessions are being done virtually. We have PPE and sensitization stations and equipment for the safety of staff and clients. Experience: Counselling: 1 year (Preferred) along with a Post-Secondary Diploma/Certificate : 3 years (Preferred) Education: Bachelor's Degree (Preferred) Language: American Sign Language (Preferred) Work remotely: Temporarily due to COVID-19 https://ca.indeed.com/jobs

Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick is looking to fill Canada Summer Jobs position - Administrative Assistant which will commence in mid-September. This will provide 280 hours of work for a person between 15 and 30 years of age! Please follow their link to apply. https://cmhanb.ca/administrative-assistant-saint-john-cana/

Because of Covid, we could not celebrate Administrative Professionals Day in April. Soooo, a little late, but we took our lovely Crystal Wylie out for lunch yesterday to thank her for everything!!! Big, big, BIG thank you, Crystal!!!

http://www.axschat.com/

Want to learn about gender identity and expression, microaggressions, and social/structural barriers? Join this beginner level, online workshop and you'll gain tools for being an ally to 2SLGBTQIA+ folks at work and in your daily life. DM to reserve your spot for July 26, 9:30am -11:00am, atlantic time. Spaces are limited. Internet connection is required. Cost is $25, but $5 of your registration fee is donated to a trans supportive charity. https://www.facebook.com/beamdiversityconsulting/?view_public_for=459863981015401

Our big guy is out showing off!

HTTPS://www.facebook.com/280543414237/posts/10158584919144238/?sfnsn=mo

NOTE: Options is closed Wednesday, July 1, for Canada Day.

Did you know? It is PTSD Awareness Day PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Here are some basics you should know about PTSD... -->PTSD is a normal response to an abnormal event. -->You can experience PTSD symptoms without having a formal diagnosis. If you have symptoms such as intrusive thoughts or memories, flashbacks, negative changes in your thinking or mood, feeling easily startled or tense, are having trouble sleeping or concentrating for more than a month you should consider reaching out to someone, you are NOT broken. -->If you are a first responder, it is important to see a clinician both familiar with mental health and the culture of many first responder workplaces -->Many people with PTSD also struggle with anxiety & depression at the same time -->Strong emotions and other mental distress are often the cost of doing this work but there are healthy ways to cope -->Many many people who suffer from PTSD symptoms never get help -->There are many different things that can lead to PTSD, both big and small -->Timely help and support are key to managing your symptoms. If you have been considering talking to someone about your symptoms, we can help.

Our AGM was held by ZOOM today. This AGM was filled with both happiness and sorrow. It started off with a tribute to Mike Bell, long-time Chair of the Board, who passed away unexpectedly in the spring. (Thank you to Melanie and Andy, Mike's sister and brother, for attending!) We then spent time celebrating Bruce Washburn, who will be retiring from the Board after over 20 years. We discussed many changes with the Board for fall. And, of course, we recognized the strong staff and their dedication to clients. We ended the AGM with a virtual CHEERS! Big, big thanks to all of the Board and Staff that make Options Employment Outreach Inc a leader in employment counselling in Greater Saint John!

Big thank you from the staff of Options to PRUDE's own Sheri MacAuley & Li Song for an excellent presentation via Zoom yesterday on Bridging Cultural Diversity!