Property Maintenance with Purpose: LakeCity Helpers

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For over 40 years, LakeCity Works has been leading positive, transformative change in their community and the lives of program participants. While their flagship social enterprise, LakeCity Woodworkers, is nationally renowned for quality handcrafted furniture and custom-built wood products, there is so much more to their story. From their socially and environmentally impactful LakeCity Plastics venture, turning single-use plastics into outdoor furniture that will last a lifetime, to the innovative LakeCity Fire Starters, that transforms sawdust and woodchips from their woodworking shop into safe and efficient fire starters, they have always been at the forefront of innovation. LakeCity Works has been in the vanguard of organizations that recognized social enterprise as an effective and socially conscious business model to support people living with mental illness to follow their employment dreams, and develop skills, in a safe and judgment-free environment.

One of the more recent projects, LakeCity Helpers, a full-service social enterprise property maintenance venture, provides top-notch services such as lawn care, yard cleanup and snow removal,  to homeowners and businesses throughout Halifax Regional Municipality. The Helpers project evolved from the success of the Home Service Initiative, where LakeCity Works provided lawn care services to seniors through the Nova Scotia 211 service. Through this program, LakeCity Works identified a gap in lawn care services for the greater community, as well as businesses, apartments, and other non profit organizations. As Social Enterprise is at the heart of all of LakeCity Works’ endeavours, LakeCity Helpers offers people living with mental illness the opportunity to gain real-world employment experience. These supported employment opportunities ensure that the individuals receive training, support, and, most importantly, understanding as they move into paid employment. Through positive modeling from the project coordinator and support from the onsite Employment Navigation team, the LakeCity Helpers supported employees are empowered to take a key role in reducing the stigma of mental illness, along with  gaining confidence, an increase in sense of self-worth, and, most importantly, economic independence. With a solid belief in the power, importance, and impact of a diversity and inclusion, LakeCity Helpers in making a difference…one lawn at a time!

LakeCity Helpers is here for you. Call us today at 902-229-7375!