A not-for-profit corporation based in Saskatchewan has been finding creative wa expand work opportunities for people...

  

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A not-for-profit corporation based in Saskatchewan has been finding creative wa expand work opportunities for people with intellectual challenges while at the time helping businesses and other corporate partners to meet their social and ethie goals. Cosmopolitan Industries Ltd. (Cosmo) of Saskatoon started up in 1970, focusing on cereating opportunities for individuals with intellectual challenges. It supports and chal- lenges people to reach their full potential while respecting the dignity and needs of each individual. Over time it has developed partnerships with businesses and government to employ as many as 130 people and to create programs for more than 400 participants. It provides lifestyle and skills training, works with employers to make sustainable work environments for its participants, and raises funds to support its program costs. Cosmo has a reputation as a value-based ethical organization, meaning that everyone working there shares the same basic values. Organizations that partner with it benefit from this reputation. Starting in the 1970s, Cosmo began producing and selling more than $5 million in golf clubs and other golf accessories every year, making it one of the largest such manufacturers in Canada. This is one way Cosmo has expanded the work opportunt ties for people with intellectual challenges beyond the traditional button making and newspaper recycling. Although the golf club manufacturing has been discontinued. Cosmo continues to look for new ways to create meaningful work. In recent years it has partnered with food service companies, including A& and Tim Hortons; government organizations such, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and National Research Council; and small businesses, including Dad's Organit Market and Sargent's Auto Service (and many more). These partnerships give meal Ingful opportunities to people who would have had only institutions to help them before companies like Cosmo formed. Cosmo serves a diverse population. As services and programs for people wit intellectual challenges have improved, life expectancy and quality of life have both increased. A partnership with a local school gives Cosmo the facilities it needs to provide ongoing programs for those who have developed multiple needs as they age. For the younger participant, Cosmo provides the opportunity to learn and work. Some jobs- including recycling, shredding confidential documents, and the former manufacture of golf clubs-take place in a Cosmo-operated facility, supervised by Cosmo's staff of professionals. Other jobs are in private or government work environments. Cosmo provides support and sometimes transportation for those workers. ment poitan industries Ltd. Complete Profile," 2012, www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ccc-rec.nsf/eng/home; Manta, "Cosmopolitan Industries Golf medical or other needs come up, Cosmo staff and volunteers are there to coordinate All participants have access to literacy, fitness, and skills programs. Companies vised by a volunteer board. Incorporation provides some protection for the board Sports is one corporate partner; by sponsoring a team in a Bowl 'n Cruise, it receives positive publicity, builds staff bonding among those who form the team, provides members from legal action, which helps them recruit first-rate volunteers. Source for Canada Ltd," Manta Inc., Tammy Robert, "Saskatoon and A Cosmo participants can rely on them to be at work and on time. When and support. SuPpo is operated by a professional staff that is filled out by volunteers and super- Pase staff with an opportunity to work with their captain (a Cosmo participant), and reinforces its corporate message of fitness for all. Private companies have choices. They can hire a company like Cosmo to provide workers and services, or they can deal with turnover problems among workers they hire who have no such support. Such companies can take part in events with Cosmo and build employee sensitivity. Organizations such as Cosmo provide a model of social responsibility and ethics for both staff and clients. Thinking Critically 1. Some employers meet with resistance among their employees when they bring in a worker supported by Cosmo. How would you explain this resistance? What steps should the employer take to avoid or prevent this problem? 2. How do organizations, such as Source for Sports, benefit from their association with Cosmo? 3. Are there similar programs in your town or a nearby large city? If you were an employee, would you encourage your employer to work with a Cosmo-like organization? Cru Como, "About Us," Cosmopolitan Industries, www.cosmoindustries.com/html/about_contact us.html: Cosmo, "Bowl 'n Poltan ,854 Reasons to Smile," Cosmopolitan Industries, www.cosmoindustries.com/index.htm; Industry Canada, "Cosmo- ugindex03 php. A not-for-profit corporation based in Saskatchewan has been finding creative wa expand work opportunities for people with intellectual challenges while at the time helping businesses and other corporate partners to meet their social and ethie goals. Cosmopolitan Industries Ltd. (Cosmo) of Saskatoon started up in 1970, focusing on cereating opportunities for individuals with intellectual challenges. It supports and chal- lenges people to reach their full potential while respecting the dignity and needs of each individual. Over time it has developed partnerships with businesses and government to employ as many as 130 people and to create programs for more than 400 participants. It provides lifestyle and skills training, works with employers to make sustainable work environments for its participants, and raises funds to support its program costs. Cosmo has a reputation as a value-based ethical organization, meaning that everyone working there shares the same basic values. Organizations that partner with it benefit from this reputation. Starting in the 1970s, Cosmo began producing and selling more than $5 million in golf clubs and other golf accessories every year, making it one of the largest such manufacturers in Canada. This is one way Cosmo has expanded the work opportunt ties for people with intellectual challenges beyond the traditional button making and newspaper recycling. Although the golf club manufacturing has been discontinued. Cosmo continues to look for new ways to create meaningful work. In recent years it has partnered with food service companies, including A& and Tim Hortons; government organizations such, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and National Research Council; and small businesses, including Dad's Organit Market and Sargent's Auto Service (and many more). These partnerships give meal Ingful opportunities to people who would have had only institutions to help them before companies like Cosmo formed. Cosmo serves a diverse population. As services and programs for people wit intellectual challenges have improved, life expectancy and quality of life have both increased. A partnership with a local school gives Cosmo the facilities it needs to provide ongoing programs for those who have developed multiple needs as they age. For the younger participant, Cosmo provides the opportunity to learn and work. Some jobs- including recycling, shredding confidential documents, and the former manufacture of golf clubs-take place in a Cosmo-operated facility, supervised by Cosmo's staff of professionals. Other jobs are in private or government work environments. Cosmo provides support and sometimes transportation for those workers. ment poitan industries Ltd. Complete Profile," 2012, www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/ccc-rec.nsf/eng/home; Manta, "Cosmopolitan Industries Golf medical or other needs come up, Cosmo staff and volunteers are there to coordinate All participants have access to literacy, fitness, and skills programs. Companies vised by a volunteer board. Incorporation provides some protection for the board Sports is one corporate partner; by sponsoring a team in a Bowl 'n Cruise, it receives positive publicity, builds staff bonding among those who form the team, provides members from legal action, which helps them recruit first-rate volunteers. Source for Canada Ltd," Manta Inc., Tammy Robert, "Saskatoon and A Cosmo participants can rely on them to be at work and on time. When and support. SuPpo is operated by a professional staff that is filled out by volunteers and super- Pase staff with an opportunity to work with their captain (a Cosmo participant), and reinforces its corporate message of fitness for all. Private companies have choices. They can hire a company like Cosmo to provide workers and services, or they can deal with turnover problems among workers they hire who have no such support. Such companies can take part in events with Cosmo and build employee sensitivity. Organizations such as Cosmo provide a model of social responsibility and ethics for both staff and clients. Thinking Critically 1. Some employers meet with resistance among their employees when they bring in a worker supported by Cosmo. How would you explain this resistance? What steps should the employer take to avoid or prevent this problem? 2. How do organizations, such as Source for Sports, benefit from their association with Cosmo? 3. Are there similar programs in your town or a nearby large city? If you were an employee, would you encourage your employer to work with a Cosmo-like organization? Cru Como, "About Us," Cosmopolitan Industries, www.cosmoindustries.com/html/about_contact us.html: Cosmo, "Bowl 'n Poltan ,854 Reasons to Smile," Cosmopolitan Industries, www.cosmoindustries.com/index.htm; Industry Canada, "Cosmo- ugindex03 php.

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