Focus Forward is an amazing 15-week program offered for free in Riverside-Albert. The program helps people identify their skills and strengths. Perhaps you like cooking… maybe you can get a job in a kitchen. Maybe you like taking care of people…homecare might be perfect for you.
Focus Forward
What is it? The program helps people to develop practical skills that can help them find and keep jobs. Over 15 weeks, participants learn useful skills, develop their self-confidence and have fun. The program gives participants valuable life skills along with a sense of community.
Who can join? Anyone over the age of 19. Past participants have ranged in age from 19 to 75 years old. Some people are looking for work for the first time – others want to change careers. Some participants are dealing with disabilities or different learning abilities; others simply need to ease their way back into the workforce.
When is it? The 15-week course starts on Monday, February 13th (but it is possible to sign up later). The group meets from 9:30 in the morning to 2:00 in the afternoon from Monday to Thursday (with a break for lunch each day).
Where is it? Downstairs at the Albert County Health and Wellness Centre in Riverside-Albert.
What skills do I need? None – just a willingness to learn. Some people have never used computers before they start the course. Participants have various levels of math and reading skills.
What happens? People start off with games to get their minds “fired.” They watch short videos and discuss the topics. The groups are small (the last session had 9 people). The content is flexible and changes to meet the needs of the group. Some might want to learn about working a cash register; others might want to go back to working in the woods. They talk about local issues and what matters to them. For example, the last group wanted to learn more about healthy eating so the dietician from the health centre talked with them one day. Connecting Albert County’s website is often used so people can learn how to use the internet while reading about their own community.
What if I don’t have a car? Contact Tele-Drive for a lift; find Tele-Drive on Facebook, call 875-1190 or email [email protected]
Who teaches the course? Catherine Rhyno, who now lives in Alma, teaches the group. She used to work as an interior designer and then started teaching design. After getting her B.Ed., she started to teach essential skills in Saint John.
Who funds the program? The course is free for participants. Funding comes from NB Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, the NB Association of Community Living and Key Industries. The Albert County Health and Wellness Centre provides space for the course. The Bennett and Albert County Health Care (BACH) Foundation has provided the multi-media equipment and has furnished the Community Education Room.
How do I sign up? Call Catherine at 882-3111, 506-609-2574 or email her at [email protected]