www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 26, 2006 - 9 Students all SET to add value to community By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF For far too many years any job period was often considered a coup for the intellectually/physically disabled. Thanks to a pair of integrated programs, however, high school grads with special needs are landing meaningful employment that is not only suited to their strengths, but also of real value to their community. Taking a page from co-operative education programs that have existed for mainstream students for years, Community Living Oakville (CLO) and the Life Skills program at White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) joined forces to help students with disabilities access co-op positions to help prepare them for life after high school. Known as the Supported Employment Training (SET) Program, the initiative is now winding up its second successful year. CLO Transitional Youth Planner Janet Barton and Jennifer Gunion, WOSS Head of Special Education, developed SET to provide basic job skills, hands-on training, transit training and to boost the students' BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER GETTING SET: Mayor Ann Mulvale helps out Erik Heatherington while touring the Supported Employment Training (SET) program with Janet Barton, co-ordinator of Employment and Training Centre and Community Living Oakville. self-confidence. Through SET, students rotate every eight weeks through a variety of placements, including the YMCA, Post Inn Village Seniors Home, Goodwill Industries, the Glen Abbey Recreation Centre and the Passages Employment Training Centre at CLO. Each rotation enables the students to build their employable skill set, from everything from people skills to various physical tasks. "We try to make them as independent as possible," said Gunion. "Nothing like this exists anywhere else." The Employment Training Centre was established to provide hands-on training through a series of simulated work environments such as grocery, video and department stores, plus offices and more. By emphasizing not only job skills and basic literacy but also social skills, work ethics, and safety awareness, the curriculum helps students develop a clear understanding of the skills they need and the reality of actually performing different jobs. From this first phase, said Gunion, WOSS has helped take the program one step further by offering the rotational employment opportunities provided by SET. These hard to come by work experiences would not be possible, say Gunion and Barton, without the "great partnerships" with the employers involved, not to mention the Educational Assistants who work with the students directly. This program is also supported by the special education teams at both Halton school boards and many others. Because of its success, both women are eager to spread awareness about the program to potential employers and challenge them to step forward with donated resources. "People need to know about this," said Gunion. "Once they do, they want to help." Moving from high school graduation through the co-op to land a real job reaps a variety of benefits, from improving the students' self esteem to providing local businesses with a solid workforce. "They make a real contribution," said Barton, happy to see the shift away from free labour and honorariums to real pay for real work. During a recent visit to CLO, Mayor Ann Mulvale was plainly impressed by what she saw after meeting SET students and the staff who run the program. She also offered direction about possible partnerships in the community that could further enhance the program. "The students were very excited about meeting Mayor Mulvale. It was a fantastic experience for all of us," said Gunion. "(We) were honoured that Mayor Mulvale took the time to meet the students, see the program and share the successes." For information about the Supported Employment Training Program, contact Janet Barton at jbarton@look.ca or 905-337-0612 or Jennifer Gunion at gunionj@hdsb.ca or 905-845-5200, ext. 251. -- Howard Mozel can be reached at hmozel@haltonsearch.com. SPOTLIGHT The world's finest fashion available in Oakville at Silkeborg With a dedication to bringing the clients of Oakville a superior selection of the world's finest fashion, accessories, furnishings and even stainless steel and sterling silver, founders Carl and Gina Jensen of Silkeborg downtown look forward to a long future as a vital part of a vibrant community. Named for the small town in Denmark where Carl was born, Silkeborg brings to Oakville a wide assortment of fashions for you and for your home. From the imagination inspiring collections of furs, coats and classic styles to the gloves, scarves and oversized handbags that complete any occasion, to the unique selection of furniture to transform your home with European inspired flair.Add to this, top of the line stainless steel and sterling silver and you'll soon see the depth of what Silkeborg can offer your life today. But this is just the beginning as, in order to continually update her knowledge of the styles that will drive the season, Gina Jensen continues to travel across Europe, expanding her knowledge and bringing back to Oakville the kinds of items that have made Silkeborg a must-visit destination for Oakville's W residents and visitors alike for more than 3 years. Silkeborg's commitment to the community was clear to see this past holiday season as they brought forth their gorgeous line of teddy bears for charity. Working in association with the CHUM City Christmas Wish for Kids foundation, 100% of the proceeds from each Bear sold went directly to the cause of bringing joy to the life of a child in need. Now, with a new season soon to be upon us, the time is right to start thinking about covering yourself and those who matter most in the kinds of exquisite trappings that only Silkeborg can provide. With their ongoing sale continuing, the time has never been better to find yourself inside. Says Carl Jensen, "We pride ourselves on knowing that you cannot find better than what you find here." What has made Silkeborg stand out so clearly in a field of strong merchants and dedicated vendors? Says Carl, "Just good service. Nothing extraordinary, just making sure that the service you receive is exactly the kind you would hope for and expect." Located at 166 Lakeshore Rd. E in Oakville, Silkeborg of Oakville's summer hours are is Monday to Wednesday 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday and Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm. For more information, call them today at (905) 337-3155. INFO AT A GLANCE... TELEPHONE: 905.337.3155 ADDRESS: 166 Lakeshore Rd, East < CLOTHING < JEWELLERY < DECOR < GIFTS 166 LAKESHORE ROAD EAST OAKVILLE 905-337-3155