Helping Others Outreach Program and Services (HOOPS)

What is the overall impact of the initiative and how is this measured?

Data is collected on how many clients are in attendance and who they are. Many of the clients are the same people who return each week. Attendance can vary from 2 to 14 but averages about 11 clients per program day. A total of 20 persons have attended the program.

95 % of the clients are Indigenous peoples, with the largest number of participants being Inuit and Métis. While clients include some youth and older workers the majority are adults between 31 and 49 years of age. Clients also include homeless persons and persons with mental illness.

Given the transient nature of the client group and the severity of their challenges success measures are based on from where the client is starting and the clients’ goals. For example one client who was extremely shy and non-verbal is now actively engaging in activities and willingly interacting with the group. Another client was able to complete a resume, get help with his job search and obtain work and some training. Another client was able to secure work and although unable to maintain it is continues to seek job search support. Two clients have moved to Supportive Living and have permanent residences.

What challenges have you faced and how were these overcome?

Program challenges: These were resolved by identifying and creating community partnerships
• Securing partnerships
• Getting facilities for the program

Client challenges:
• Homeless
• Stigmatized
• Marginalized
• Mental health Issues
• Living in Poverty
• Addiction Issues

We address these issues by building a positive relationship with participants built on respect and trust. This allows us to connect them with the community resources and services they need.

What are 3 key lessons you learned from developing or delivering your initiative? What advice from those lessons would you share with others?

• Find the right partners. Connect and work with organizations that can help provide the services clients need.
• Take your lead from the clients. Listen to them; be non-judgemental and respectful.
• Keep trying. Mistakes are bound to happen. Don’t give up.
• Need to be humble, flexible and adaptable.

Which Essential Skills are covered by the initiative? Reading Text Document Use Numeracy Writing Oral Communications Working with Others Thinking Skills Computer Use Continuous Learning

How are the Essential Skills integrated into your initiative?

Essential skills are taught through all the informal life skill activities we do with clients. For example, reading, document use and writing are addressed while assisting clients to fill in forms they need to apply for a birth certificate or an identification card, writing a resume or applying for income assistance. Clients are taught basic computer literacy such as how to send an e-mail, set up an e-mail account or access the internet. Numeracy is taught through budgeting and cooking lessons.

The program provides clients with the following:
 Budgeting
 Making out application forms and documents
 One on one counselling
 Presentations by community services – who they are and how to access them
 Examples: Community Food Bank, Supportive Living, Violence Prevention Labrador
 Cooking cost effective meals (while getting a meal)
 Resume writing
 Job search support
 Access to a computer
 Referral to appropriate services
 Being part of a group – interacting positively with other
 Field trips and out of house activities

Clients have access to the Friendship Centre’s One Door Drop in Program. Here they can continue with many of the same activities provided through HOOPS and with the same staff person. They can also access the Friendship Centre’s common room which is considered a Warm Up Centre. This allows HOOPS staff to check on clients frequently during the days HOOPS is not being delivered.

How do you assess participant Essential Skills?

There is no formal ES assessment done with clients. Progress and skills growth is monitored by staff.

What are the components of the initiative? Occupational certifications and/or licensing Life skills Career and/or educational planning Job search services Other

How do you support participant success in the program? Individualized counselling Food allowance and/or on-site meals Access to other in-house services After program follow-up support

How was Indigenous culture integrated into the program content or delivery?

The Labrador Friendship Centre endeavours to provide the best possible services to enrich the lives of the Inuit, Innu and Metis of Labrador through the provision and implementation of social, cultural, health, educational, employment, and developmental initiatives.

What do you think are the most important competencies and attributes for staff involved in this initiative to have?

Staff need to be respectful, non-judgemental and approachable. They need to have the ability to establish trust relationships and work with multi-challenged clients. They need to understand and be sensitive to the needs of Indigenous clients and have a knowledge of and connection with community resources and services.

Who are your partners, and what is their involvement in the initiative?

• Housing Hub – facility for the program
• Violence Prevention Labrador
• Labrador Friendship Centre – delivers program and offers in house services
• Mokami Status of Women Council
• Nunatsiavut Government