'Getting a job is a dream come true'
Summer Street helping clients find success in the workforce
Summer Street takes pride in a job well done whether it is serving tables, stacking hardwood, or working as part of the team at the Michelin Pictou County plant.
About 75 Summer Street clients are actively employed in their community, earning a minimum wage or more.
“Getting a job is a dream come true for many of our participants. It gives them a great feeling of accomplishment and independence,” said Richard LaSalle, Summer Street’s manager of employment services.
Megan Fraser is currently working her dream job at Crossroads Country Market in Thorburn.
“Ever since I can remember I wanted to be a baker and now I work three, four or five shifts a week and I love every minute.”
When she arrives at work her bakery manager gives her a list of what is needed for the day and she gets straight to work.
“Cinnamon rolls are my personal favourite, but I bake pies, cookies, squares and oatcakes. It is a busy job because so many people come to Crossroads for their baked goods,” she said.
Fraser, who completed job training and work experience at Summer Street, worked previously at a restaurant but baking is what makes her happiest.
“I’m a team player so I try to help everyone. The staff and owner treat me really well. I am proud to be able to earn the money to pay my own bills. I’m just like other working people now.”
She is the third Summer Street client to find employment with Crossroads Country Market.
As many as 50 Pictou County employers provide opportunities for Summer Street clients while others find work through Summer Street’s social enterprises. When a participant expresses a desire to find employment, Summer Street’s 10-week job readiness program kicks into place.
“Our program focuses on such topics as time management, resume writing, customer service skills, interview skills and stress management,” said LaSalle, adding Summer Street also offers training programs in areas such as catering, cleaning, bartending, and lawn care.
When a work opportunity is secured, a job coach arranges to check in regularly with the employer and new employee. If anything needs improvement, a job coach can step in and work a shift with the employee at no additional cost to the employer.
Michelin currently employs 10 Summer Street clients, making it the largest outside employer.
“Each year we have been able to add a couple more employees to the team. We currently have people working at three different stations on the production line,” said LaSalle, adding Michelin has been a very inclusive employer.
On the social enterprise side, Summer Street clients are engaged in a variety of services from catering to business support and landscaping. Pre-COVID, these enterprises brought in 30 per cent of Summer Street’s annual revenue. Although there is currently a significant reduction overall, there are regular catering customers such as the local Kinsmen, Rotary and Gyro clubs as well as other meetings, conferences, and receptions.
“Our banquet chef Peter LaPier is a great natural support in the kitchen and along with the employment services team, gives participants training in the kitchen and dining room to cover all aspects of both small and large events, from initial table setup to dinner service, cleanup and bartending,” said LaSalle.
As it has throughout its 50 years, Summer Street continues to work with other community organizations to provide needed services. Recently, the employment services team partnered with Pictou County Seniors Council and Directions Nova Scotia to offer services designed to allow seniors to remain longer in their own homes.
“We provide a variety of outdoor services to seniors including gardening, general yard clean-up, stacking firewood, pressure washing and exterior painting,” said LaSalle.
There is no charge for the first call and payment is required for continued use of Summer Street’s services. To date the response has been very positive.
“We basically do what the homeowner needs, and we can fill the gap between being able to manage everything at home and having to move to another type of housing.”
Not long ago, Summer Street identified a need among its participants who live on their own.
“They wanted to be able to get nutritious frozen meals which they could heat for themselves at home. These meals are prepared at Summer Street, providing additional training in the kitchen for those whose goals include food services,” said LaSalle.
Based on this success, Summer Street is gearing up to provide meals for vulnerable people throughout Pictou County.