A new program for patients at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care marks a significant step in providing employment skills training to individuals who previously lacked access due to security constraints.
The Awenda program provides a secure environment with high-quality programs for males with a serious mental illness, or those dually diagnosed with a mental illness and a developmental disability. Traditionally, these patients faced obstacles in accessing Vocational Services. Launched about a month ago, the new initiative addresses this gap by integrating specialized employment-skills training within the high-security setting.
Employment Specialist Vittoria Trainer highlighted the program’s significance: “Due to their inability to achieve or maintain their independent security levels, very few Awenda patients have been able to access Vocational Services. However, one patient has accessed the greenhouse program for more than a year, successfully maintained his security levels and is now training in the wood shop — he is the first Awenda patient to succeed to this level.”
Two half-hour slots have been designated exclusively for the seven participating patients. Escorted by program staff, they engage in activities designed to be both safe and meaningful, with tasks structured for completion within each session. The program offers two primary activities: counting seeds harvested from the greenhouse, and crafting wool dryer balls. Trainer patiently models the required actions repeatedly so the patients can watch and copy her moves.
“It allows the patients to feel what it’s like to earn their own money. They probably haven’t ever had the opportunity,” said Trainer, who acknowledged the support and co-operation of Clinical Manager Kim Felipe, Behavioural Support Specialist Nikki Spademan and Recreation Therapist Nick Gieseler in bringing this initiative to fruition.
Spademan underscored the program’s broader impact: “It helps them to learn some sort of skill — something that might help them in the future when they leave Waypoint. And just being able to get off the program and do other things is rewarding for them.”
This initiative not only equips patients with practical skills, but also fosters engagement, enhances hand-eye co-ordination and provides a sense of purpose. It’s a testament to Waypoint’s commitment to innovative approaches in mental health rehabilitation.
