(submitted photo/Marilyn Jonas)

By Angie Rolheiser

Porcupine Opportunities Program

Supported Employment Program expands in Porcupine Plain with new gift store

Oct 4, 2019 | 3:37 PM

The Porcupine Opportunities Program (POP) is expanding its supported employment program.

The POP has been in operation for about 45 years in Porcupine Plain to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

General Manager Marilyn Jonas told northeastNOW a grand opening celebration will be held on Tuesday for a full service laundromat and gift shop.

“It’s a way of providing opportunities for folks that we support to have an employment opportunity to work within the store and the laundromat, and provide service to the community,” Jonas said.

The agency supports 29 individuals and has about 60 staff making the expansion important for their service area.

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The new employment opportunity will serve two different purposes according to Jonas.

“It will build skill sets and comfort in working in the public with individuals within our agency and provide us the opportunity to move them into other businesses out into the community,” Jonas said.

She said it really is about inclusion for everyone involved.

The POP has many community partners that also provide employment opportunities including the RCMP, Parkland Co-op, Carolines Restaurant, Quilly Willy Early Learning and Childcare Centre, and Blair’s Funeral Home in Porcupine Plain, as well as Lewellin’s Sales and Service and the Modeon Theatre in Hudson Bay.

The laundromat has been in operation for the last 20 years and but it’s now being expanded to the full service laundromat with a fluff and fold service as well as a barbershop that includes a small concession.

“The gift store is based on consignment featuring local artisans and we have about 18 consigners that have signed on since mid-August,” Jonas said.

The main POP office is in Porcupine Plain with services offered such as a day and seniors program, an industrial wood working shop and the supported employment program. There are also residential programs.

The grand opening at 10 a.m. on Tuesday will have many dignitaries and board members on hand.

“The people involved need to be applauded for what they have done and the type of culture they have created within the agency and we also want to recognize that,” Jonas said.

The expansion of the program comes from funding from the Supported Employment Transition Initiative (SETI) which is managed by SARC, a provincial organization that supports non-profits, and is funded by the Provincial Ministry of Immigration and Career Training.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser