Venture Training turns 60

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Paul Ksyniuk, with Venture Training, left, instructs Emilio Salbino on how to cut wood at the facility's wood shop in Vernon.

They opened the doors in September 1955 and 60 years later Venture Training is still helping people with learning challenges.

To mark the milestone, the Vernon organization held a barbecue where it welcomed the public to check out the facility and to recognize its long-term employees.

“It was originally a school for children with developmental disabilities,” said Eileen Howells, Venture Training executive director.

“In the late '50s there was a school program, but there was nothing for when they finished school.”

So, in 1962 an adult program started that has been utilized by thousands of people.

Venture Training currently has 257 people taking part in their programs that include residential and day programs and employment programs.

“We also have three residential homes and we will be opening another two on January 1st,” said Howells.

The centre offers three work program: the therapeutic work program where people learn how to behave in a work environment, the supported work program where they get paid to work in the community doing yard work and other tasks and the community employment program which is an even more independent work program.

The wood-working program is setup in a large building at the Old Kamloops Road centre where people make pallets, stakes, trellises and other items.

Venture also runs several recycling programs such as e-waste and styrofoam. Cycle Cycle takes in donated bicycles, refurbishes and sells them.

“They contribute to the community and they are also building skills to work their way up the ladder,” said Howells.

Howells said training programs are developed around each individual's needs, and each employee takes great pride in his or her work.

“They are dedicated. They are committed,” said Howells. “They can be the best employee you have ever had. If they have a job to do, they will do it to the best of their ability and they will stick with it until the job is done.”