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One of our success stories is Bringing Community to Your Door. This meal delivery program was a COVID-friendly initiative, bringing healthy meals to isolated or marginalized individuals within the community as well as providing a wellness check in. We delivered almost 1,800 meals to residents in Trail, Fruitvale, Montrose, Warfield &amp; Rossland in 2021.

“I sure appreciate the expertise, support and knowledge the staff of the Skills Centre has provided me with. After recently retiring from long-time full time employment, I knew I was ready to embark on another employment related journey, and I was up for it. Knowing my job application skills were rusty and needed to be fine-tuned, I joined the Mature Workers program. As well as providing some guidance in updating skills, the staff has assisted in financial support for further courses and partnering with other community agencies. Many thanks to the staff of the Skills Centre.” – Mature Workers program participant.

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Did you know our programs can help you get the technology you need to complete your training? This <a href="https://skillscentre.ca/how-we-help/skills-training/">Brave Beginnings for Newcomers</a> client was thrilled to receive a new laptop to help him with his training &amp; job search:
“I would like to thank the Skills Centre for supporting me in enhancing my skills through the Brave Beginnings program. I also got aid for a certificate training course which has improved my skill set and is also helping me in searching for employment in my chosen field. The Skills Centre also assisted me in getting a laptop for training which will benefit me in my future endeavors. I would like to especially thank Mr. Harshil Patel who guided me throughout the whole process.”
Want to learn how you can do this, too? <a href="https://skillscentre.ca/contact/">Contact Bethel today.</a>

Working together for economic opportunity to end working poverty 
Women Creating Change was a 3 year project that the Skills Centre partnered on with Trail Family and Individual Resources Society <a href="https://www.trailfair.ca/">(Trail FAIR)</a>. Its objective was to support women in low income or precarious employment, and it had a strong focus on transformational change. Status of Women Canada provided $272,000 in funding for the project.
Outcomes include: 
We developed 2 bursary programs:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://manage.benecms.com/pdf/Stepping%20Out%20Bursary%20Application.pdf">The Stepping Out Bursary</a> supports up to 6 women each year living in poverty with up to $1,000 each to access whatever training and supports they identify (child care, food, books, tuition) that will enable them to develop careers that will allow them to step out of poverty.</li>
<li><a href="https://manage.benecms.com/pdf/Skills%20Centre%20Youth%20In%20Community%20Bursary.pdf">The Youth in Community Bursary</a> is given to two graduating students from low income families who also volunteer in the community. Each receives $1,000 towards tuition in the post-secondary program of their choice.</li>
<li>Mining and Refining for Women was a 2 year mentorship program in collaboration with the Trail operations of Teck Metals Ltd. that trained 2 cohorts of women for non-traditional jobs at Teck.</li>
<li>Working Options for Women was a 6 month research project designed to develop opportunities to support women to be more successful securing and retaining employment in jobs that pay at the living wage or higher.</li>
<li><a href="https://manage.benecms.com/how-we-help/poverty-reduction/">Thriving for All</a> became the official poverty reduction strategy for 5 local governments in the region. 
A new $2 million extended hours day care &#8211; the Unicorn Day Care &#8211; is in development. 
The Skills Centre is still responsible for calculating the annual Living Wage rate for the region.</li>
</ul>
Key elements of the research, identified gaps and, outcomes of Women Creating Change, and the projects that have flowed from Women Creating Change, continue to be incorporated into the Skills Centre’s core work: our skills development and training programs.

One of our participants entered the program very shy and described themselves as having a lack of confidence and self esteem. Over time, they began to come out of their shell with the support of the group and the activities of the program. Quickly their confidence rose and they realized they had a great deal more to offer than they initially thought and had been told in the past. Recently they were hired for a position with excellent growth potential!

One of our participants had been working very diligently to send out well-tailored applications in the month after the program ended. One day they walked into our office and asked to speak to me.
“I got the job!!” she exclaimed, and gave me a huge hug. 
They said they could not have done it without this program.
“Keep doing what you’re doing&#8230; because it works!” they told me. It is these moments that affirm that this program has a truly meaningful impact on its participants.

Bringing Community to Your Door

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Other Success Stories

Retiree starts new journey

Brave Beginnings for Newcomers

Women Creating Change