Key Industries offers programs for individuals with various Intellectual Disabilities and some forms of Mental Illness.

Daily Valued Activities:

The Daily Valued Activities Group is a relaxed and enjoyable way of learning. A group consists of a number of individuals eager to improve in a variety of skill areas in order to enhance their everyday lives. Learning to grow emotionally and intellectually improves self-esteem and self-awareness. Numerous social and educational programs provide the opportunity for this growth to occur.

Individuals get to volunteer in the community, keep up on current events, discuss current affairs in groups, participate in daily exercise, various activities related to the individual interests-all which are carried out with consistent encouragement and support.

Being in smaller groups provides increased support and offers the opportunity for one-on-one interaction between facilitator and client. In these tinier clusters, individuals learn how to better manage emotions; problem solve and acquire appropriate strategies to elicit attention from others-all key elements of life in every day society.

Being provided with this type of learning environment allows individuals to become willing to take risks to accomplish tasks that, at previous points in their lives, seemed impossible.

Life Skills Training:

Life Skills programs are individualized to identify strengths and needs. A team effort with all parties involved in the learning process is emphasized. When an individual learns the necessary life skills they are better equipped to handle life's daily challenges. goals are targeted to facilitate this process.

*Conflict Resolution
*Anger/Stress Management
*Relaxation Techniques
*Self Image/Esteem
*Health Nutrition/Fitness
*Safety/Personal/Workplace
*Budgeting/Banking
*Personal Care
*Community Awareness
*Social Skills
*Sexual Health/Intimate Behaviors
*Independent Living
*Relationships
*Assertiveness
*Communicaton
*Individuality

Incredible change occurs when individuals start to feel more confident. Hope and dreams start to materialize in anticipation of a more independent future. Differences seem smaller and everyone feels a stronger part of the community once self-esteem start to blossom.

Education:

Mental, like physical, fitness depends on practicing beneficial habits. Exercising the brain to stimulate a cerebral robustness is the Education/Creative Skills Department of Key Industries' chief endeavour. Classes in a safe, respectful, cooperative atmosphere help pique curiosity in areas that may have lay dormant or, because of passing time, have become inflexible.


At Key Industries the focus is on ability. A curriculum with adult oriented content aids in improving basic, intermediate or advanced skill levels. Discussions on relevant current affairs, with the use of the language experience approach, experiential writing and editing practice, exploration of science inquiry and art expression, quest for reading skill and computer literacy, focus on teamwork and social harmony-all coalesce to synergistically activate the brain in the journey toward greater mental fitness. A sense of accomplishment emerges in an atmosphere of friendship and humor where mini mental miracles occur:


*A learner progresses from one-page reading exercises to learning Canadian history in exciting novels.


*Adults see for the first time that art has inherent relevance and beauty.


*Cartoon watching habits change to tuning in to channel eight to harvest a newsworthy topic to share in class discussion.


Without continued growth at the adult stage, mental stagnation leads to physical unfitness and the increased need for externally-based health care components and hospitalization.

Inclusion:

Work activities are designed to promote inclusive activities. The respect and pride that is achieved encourages the utilization of the skills that they have acquired. To reach out and become active participants in the community in which they live. Key Industries has developed and is expanding a network of inclusion projects. These projects are designed to assist individuals in making a transition into their community through volunteering, employment and social networking.

Key Industries is developing a network with volunteer organizations and businesses that encourage individuals to share with their communities the skills that they have acquired. It is in reaching out to others with a sense of pride in what they have accomplished that is making the inclusion project a successful one.

Work Related Activities:

We at Key Industries provide an opportunity for individuals to acquire skills that will help them reach personal work related goals. In learning work skills one gains experience that can be anything from packaging, counting, leading in a team environment, phone/customer service, mail-out services, and how to interact in a work environment. The individual's goals, desires and needs determine what area they will participate in.

With various work areas for all levels, the individual can be placed where they will receive the training that they desire depending on their level of interest. In these areas an individual expands their mind, interacts with others, learns about job related functions, expectations, builds self-esteem, develops positive work ethics, and gains skills that will move them closer to their goals. We assist with bridging development so that one day an individual is better able to cope in the community and become more self-sufficient.