Next month, Beacon Community Services is celebrating 32 years of providing employment services to residents of the Peninsula, not to mention two years of operating the Employment Program of B.C. out of their Sidney office.
On Friday, May 2, BCS will open their doors to everyone so the public can come in and find out more about what the organization can do for its clients.
“A lot of people know we offer things like home and housing support but they don’t know we offer employment services,” explained BCS Employment Services Director, Alice Van Blokland.
“We want to let the public know about our employment services and what we can offer to our clients.”
Van Blokland estimates that since April of 2012, BCS’ employment service has helped over 1,300 clients through the Work B.C. program.
“That works out to roughly 50 new clients a month which is great but there is always room to grow,” she said, adding that the Sidney office serves clients from the Gulf Islands, Sidney, North and Central Saanich.
BCS’ employment services, she continued, see people from all walks of life use them.
“Whether it’s parents directing their children to their first jobs, seniors returning to the workforce, single mothers or mothers returning to work, immigrants looking for work, we have resources for everyone,” she explained.
The open house, which takes place Friday, May 2 will feature games, popcorn, refreshments, free mini-workshops, prizes and music. In addition, local employers who have hired BCS’ clients in the past will be showcased.
“It will be a fun day where people will be able to find out all about what BCS has to offer,” said Van Blokland.
For more information visit beaconcs.ca or call 250-656-0134.
The BCS office in Sidney is located at 9860 Third St. just past the intersection of James White Boulevard.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com