PROGRAMS

Personal Development Services provides community integration for the purpose of healthy living and socialization. Participants in this program live with mobility or communication challenges.  A small staff- to- participant ratio is provided so that individuals requiring a high level of support can develop a social network and become physically active by participating in community.

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The program consists of walking, music therapy, bingo and low impact exercise at the Glace Bay Miner’s Forum, bowling at Town Centre Lanes, and lunch outings at local restaurants.

The Vocational Program offers hands-on work experience through our Woodworking Department. The aim of this program is to parallel the work-world environment with its expectations of punctuality, work ethic, and quality control. Participants are kept busy cutting and preparing kindling for sale to local businesses.

This department also houses a woodworking social enterprise where high quality wood products such as candle holders, keepsake boxes, unique shelving, wine boxes, beverage caddies and much more are produced. Our participants take pride in their creations and receive high praise from customers.  Individuals in this program also clean local parks in the summer months. Find out more on our woodworking page here. 

Our participants gain experience in real working situations within the community. We provide one-on-one job coach support and training in the workplace until such time the employer is confident to take over. Placements may be voluntary or paid. Over the years participants have worked in local businesses such as McDonald’s, Home Hardware, Sobeys, Foodland, and Canadian Tire. Our participants also work at our Thrift Shop, CAPE Thrift. 

The Pre-Vocational program includes several areas of training such as: mail processing, answering the telephone, developing computer skills, photocopying, document shredding, assembling ticket packages for local businesses, labelling and pricing products for sale and light cleaning duties. 

The Pre-Employment program provides job-readiness skills training. Participants in this department are working towards employment or volunteer placements. Structured training materials includes: grooming/hygiene; being on time (punctuality); working with others; having a positive attitude; keeping your job; understanding direction; developing quality worker skills; dealing with constructive criticism; resume building/writing, preparing for an interview; introductions and greetings; knowing when to ask for or offer help; money management; coping with anger; and dealing with authority figures.

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The participants also complete work in the area of life skills in preparation for independent living. Skills such as shopping flyer sales, preparing grocery lists and supervised shopping, preparing and cooking meals are explored through this program. The program also focuses on budgeting money and participating in healthy, active living.

The Department of Community Services and the Department of Education have a mutual mandate of transitioning students from high school to appropriate post secondary options. For many students with intellectual disabilities, this would include an Adult Service Centre such as the CAPE.

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While the transition team is in place for the student very early on in the child’s education, an application to the CAPE would take place around the age of 14. Following this, a representative from the CAPE would complete a functional assessment of the applicant and if appropriate, begin to participate in transition meetings. The actual implementation of the transition plan would not begin until later in high school.