QVSS has been receiving support from the United Way of Quinte for over 10 years! We cannot thank you enough!

Here are some of the items we have received through their funding:

Client Transportation Services– To enable the agency to transport individuals from outside the Belleville area to our Q.V.S.S. programs and services were they could receive employment, recreation, training or other pro-social activity. To reduce more barriers to individuals unable to access other means of public transportation.

Safe Arrival – Our previous location, situated in an area where there were no sidewalks or city buses, was of a great safety concern for Q.V.S.S. and its service-users. Since the Ministry does not cover transportation costs for participants to and from the program, our agency had been to numerous city meetings and connected with city officials to discuss the lack of transportation and sidewalks to this portion of the business community of Belleville. We needed to make sure that the people who used our services had some type of safe arrival to and from their program.

Program Cost Assistance – The Ministry provides monies for the staff and the building, but no money is provided for Day Supports with a fee attached. All of our programs are based on collective requests from our service-users who are on disability allowance. Many enjoy a fee-activity such as bowling making budgeting for many participants difficult. Therefore, the need for United Way of Quinte funding is huge. Expenditure increase at an alarming rate, disability allowance does not! Since Q.V.S.S. values the significance of citizen participation in the health of the community, we are very grateful to have the assistance of the United Way of Quinte so that we can provide equal opportunity to many.

Community Job Assistant Coach – It is the desire of some Q.V.S.S. participants to explore new avenues through supported employment to improve current vocation and social skills while exploring greater independence by working/volunteering in their local community.

The one-on-one training sessions we are able to provide, thanks to the United Way of Quinte, with our “Community Placement Volunteer Coach” has proven to be most effective. Currently, there are two people employed at Tim Horton’s and one working at Canadian Tire.

There is a gap in services for individuals with a developmental disability that require experience working in the community to gain employment. Although there are similar programs for the general population, there are none such as ours available in our local area for people who have special needs.

Collective Kitchen – Participants living semi-independently on a disability pension coupled with a developmental disability have to manage their own rent, bills, etc., often not leaving a lot of money to shop for healthy food. The United Way of Quinte has supported this program that helps clients learn how to shop economically, learn safe food-handling practices, prepare and cook nutritious recipes to divide and take home, to relieve some financial, nutritional and social challenges.

Since their income is minimal, clients surveyed agree that their grocery bill was lower, and thoroughly enjoy taking three home-cooked meals home that they have prepared from beginning to end. QVSS feels participants respond most effectively to personalized training. This program gives clients focused attention to customized instruction with obvious benefits. Without funding from the United Way of Quinte, we would not be able to provide this program.