Community Support Services Department Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Jessica writes: “Thanks for all your support that you have given me at Columbia College. I had a great experience getting to know all the teachers and students. I appreciate you all helping me find this great job.”

The Columbia College Community Support Services Department celebrated its 25th anniversary on August 1, 2012. With a focus on community inclusion, the department assists adults with developmental disabilities to secure and maintain employment, volunteer, recreation and leisure opportunities. Since inception these services have been funded by the Government of Alberta; currently through the Department of Human Services, Calgary Region Community Board Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

Over the years the Community Support Services Department has assisted hundreds of individuals like Jessica to achieve their goals of securing and
maintaining competitive employment in their field of interest. Occupations that these individuals have been employed in are varied and include: food services, janitorial, childcare, manufacturing, retail, oil and gas, automotive, laundry, pet care and office support to name a few.

Bruce Skorobohach, the Department Director states that, “the Community Support Services Department assists people with developmental disabilities to
become valued, contributing community members”. We are pleased to have assisted so many individuals over the years to achieve their goals”.

“Whereas most agencies in North America help get these adults working with the aid of a support worker,” states Dr. Snell, President of Columbia College, “we are proud to have placed over 500 adults with developmental disabilities into competitive employment without a support worker. This has made us quite unique and we are very proud of it.”