SSCOPE INC….supporting mental health

Let us take care of your lawn this summer.

* Cutting and trimming grass
* Tree and shrub trimming
* Gardening
* Raking leaves and fall clean-up
* Snow Removal

Average monthly cost for services is $75

Give Us A Call!
(204) 987 – 6300

Supporting Mental Health Since 1991 —

SSCOPE’s Rockin’ The Ridge for Mental Health Awareness Week-Saturday May 8th

Rockin’ the Ridge festival is set for Saturday May 8th at Vimy Ridge Park in Winnipeg organized by the non profit SSCOPE Inc. The free admission event coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada and is set to be a fun day for all ages kickin’ off summer fun in the City.

SSCOPE (www.sscope.org) supports mental health through employment it creates through its various social enterprises and partnerships

Great Classic rock, Blues and Folk music all afternoon starting at 1:00 pm on the bandstand (the full lineup to be announced April 16), a Laughing Yoga demonstration, PEG City Trails performing BMX bike stunts several times during the afternoon and an Art Exhibit and Sale are all part of the afternoon. There will also be a Garage Sale in the am and Silent Auctions plus great food throughout the day.

Laughing Yoga combines laughter with yogic breath work, whereby laughter is simulated as a body exercise making this a complete well being workout that complements and supports mental health and well being.

The public can help out by contributing gently used items to the garage sale and business and the public can contribute new items for the silent auctions. Please call 987-6300 for pickup or more details.

Vimy Ridge Park is located on Portage Ave. at Home St. For more info about this event call SSCOPE at 987-6300.

SSCOPE (Self Starting Creative Opportunities for People in Employment) is a Winnipeg non-profit that supports mental health in Winnipeg through gainful employment for its members in by operating services such as lawn and yard maintenance, snow removal, moving and deliveries, building cleaning and vending services with current fund raising to support expansion into storefront activities and additional work in community recycling.

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SSCOPE’s Clean Up Winnipeg Recycling Program Supported In Part By Assiniboine Credit Union and LITE…Marketing and Communications Support for SSCOPE by the Winnipeg Foundation

This quote is taken from a HRSD (Canadian government department) request for a grant proposal.  Social enterprises form the basis of the further development of the SSCOPE Inc. non profit organization.

“A Social Enterprise is a business that may take the form of a not-for-profit, for-profit or co-op, and is governed by a charity or a not-for-profit group. It is directly involved in the production and/or selling of goods and services in the marketplace. Its mandate is to generate revenues and to improve social conditions for its members or its community by redirecting its surplus to these objectives.”

This is our second year of participation with the Downtown Biz’s Earth Day events. Great turnout from our employee members. Thank you to all who participated.

SSCOPE was also in the news as a result. This is the video from the Global TV evening news on the 22nd. Here’s a brief mention at the Global TV website plus interview of the E.D. and Rob Stefanuk, an employee member on their 6:00 pm news.

Photos:

A glorious day and the SSCOPE team talks about their afternoon of work

Jack and Sean with Bob R. posing near the Bay while on assignment near Graham St.

This can also go into our Applause page. We are grateful for Dwayne’s success in moving on to a permanent position after recently beginning his employment life again with us.

“I have moved on to a permanent part-time position. I enjoyed working at SSCOPE. The hours are very flexible and the work was very rewarding. I found the staff very nice and easy to work with. I recommend working at SSCOPE to any one that need casual and part time work. (Dwayne Birchwood)

#5-1000 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB. R3E 0N3 (204) 987-6300 Fax: (204) 987-6304 Email: sscope@mts.net Website: http://www.sscope.org

Supporting mental health through gainful employment since 1991

NEWS RELEASE/PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT-April 20, 2010 (Bob Rempel-987-6302)

“One in five Canadians will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives”

SSCOPE’s Rockin’ The Ridge for Mental Health Awareness Week-Saturday, May 8th

Rockin’ the Ridge festival is set for Saturday May 8th at Vimy Ridge Park in Winnipeg organized by the non profit SSCOPE Inc. The free admission event coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada and is set to be a fun day for all ages kickin’ off summer fun in the City. SSCOPE (www.sscope.org) supports mental health through the employment it creates through its various social enterprises and partnerships.

Great Classic Rock, Blues and Folk music all afternoon starting at 12:00 noon on the bandstand, a Laughing Yoga demonstration, Kite flying demonstrations, PEG City Trails performing BMX bike stunts several times during the afternoon, and an Art Exhibit and Sale are all part of the afternoon. There will also be a Garage Sale in the am and Silent Auctions plus great food available throughout the day.

Entertainment Lineup Main Stage: (Subject to change-final act list/times on website)

12:00: Sound check 12:15 Cruz Walters 1:00 pm: Azariah Rocks 2:00 Corey Zacharias 2:30 Laughing Yoga Demonstration 3:00 pm: Connie Miron Band 4:00 pm: Garth German Band 5:00 pm: Keep Your Day Job! 5:45 pm: DB Blues 6:45 pm: Jam & Rockin’ the Ridge finale.

Speakers John Melnick and Connie Krahenbil from Canadian Mental Health Manitoba will each talk briefly on aspects of mental health during the afternoon.

The public can help out by contributing gently used items to the garage sale and business and the public can contribute new items for the silent auctions. Please call 987-6300 for pickup or more details re the event. Volunteers are also needed for various tasks prior to the event and during the day.

Vimy Ridge Park is located on Portage Ave. at Home St. Bring your festival chairs, blankets and tarps. For more info about this event call SSCOPE at 987-6300.

SSCOPE (Self Starting Creative Opportunities for People in Employment) is a Winnipeg non-profit that supports mental health in Winnipeg through gainful employment for its members in by operating services such as lawn and yard maintenance, snow removal, moving and deliveries, building cleaning and vending services with current fund raising to support expansion into storefront activities and additional work in community recycling. A $1,000.00 SSCOPE Services Certificate will be up for draw, among other great prizes from SSCOPE and businesses and members of the public.

For more information on mental illness and the social stigma see http://sscope.org/the-myths-of-mental-illness/

SSCOPE Inc.
#5-1000 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB. R3E 0N3 (204) 987-6300 Fax: (204) 987-6304 Email: sscope@mts.net
Website: http://www.sscope.org
Supporting mental health through gainful employment since 1991

NEWS RELEASE/PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT-April 12, 2010
________________________________
SSCOPE’s Rockin’ The Ridge for Mental Health Awareness Week-Saturday May 8th

Rockin’ the Ridge festival is set for Saturday May 8th at Vimy Ridge Park in Winnipeg organized by the non profit SSCOPE Inc. The free admission event coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada and is set to be a fun day for all ages kickin’ off summer fun in the City.

SSCOPE (www.sscope.org) supports mental health through employment it creates through its various social enterprises and partnerships

Great Classic rock, Blues and Folk music all afternoon starting at 1:00 pm on the bandstand (the full lineup to be announced April 16), a Laughing Yoga demonstration, PEG City Trails performing BMX bike stunts several times during the afternoon and an Art Exhibit and Sale are all part of the afternoon. There will also be a Garage Sale in the am and Silent Auctions plus great food throughout the day.

Laughing Yoga combines laughter with yogic breath work, whereby laughter is simulated as a body exercise making this a complete well being workout that complements and supports mental health and well being.

The public can help out by contributing gently used items to the garage sale and business and the public can contribute new items for the silent auctions. Please call 987-6300 for pickup or more details.

Vimy Ridge Park is located on Portage Ave. at Home St. For more info about this event call SSCOPE at 987-6300.

SSCOPE (Self Starting Creative Opportunities for People in Employment) is a Winnipeg non-profit that supports mental health in Winnipeg through gainful employment for its members in by operating services such as lawn and yard maintenance, snow removal, moving and deliveries, building cleaning and vending services with current fund raising to support expansion into storefront activities and additional work in community recycling.

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SSCOPE’s Clean Up Winnipeg Recycling Program Supported In Part By Assiniboine Credit Union and LITE…Marketing and Communications Support for SSCOPE by the Winnipeg Foundation

Shaw Cable 9 in Winnipeg is airing an interview with SSCOPE’s Executive Director about our May 8th Helping Hands-Expressions Festival at Vimy Ridge Park in Winnipeg, May 8th.

You can also view the interview on the Shaw Channel 9 website

There are also recent posts here about our Sponsorship program for the event and early bookings of entertainment. Full event details will be announced April 12th.

Shaw Channel 9 interview re May 8th event at Vimy Ridge

Update: Thank you to Payworks and Hilton Insurance Services for coming on Board as sponsors. Thank you to Bothwell Cheese, Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Public Insurance, among many others still to come we know, for your donations.

The interest continues to grow and we’re building momentum booking entertainment, food concessionaires and obtaining great silent auction draw prizes. We estimate your message and business name will be seen by over 5,000 individuals before, during and after the event.

There are several sponsorship levels available:
Title sponsor: $3,000
In Partnership with sponsor (presenting sponsor): $2,000
Entertainment Sponsor: $1,000
Food Court Sponsor: $1,000
Volunteers Recognition Sponsor: $750-$1,000
Faciliities (day of) Sponsor: $750-$1,000
Supporting Sponsor: $200-$750
Door Prize Leader: prize value of $50+
Door Prize Donations:

All sponsors receive year round name recognition on the SSCOPE website (main pages), at least 3 verbal name mentions during the event to the crowd and least 3 mentions on signage around the site on the day of the event. All sponsors over $750.00 have the opportunity to place a display/marketing booth on the site during the event.

Please contact the Executive Director, Bob Rempel, to discuss and finalize your participation. Call 987-6302 or email

Thank you for your consideration.

We’re very pleased to confirm the Connie Miron Band for SSCOPE’s public “Helpin’ Hands-Creative Expressions Festival, Saturday May 8th at Vimy Ridge Park.  Join us during Mental Health Awareness Week starting at 1:00 pm as we “Rock the Ridge” and more.

We’re still booking “tweeners” and headline acts for the afternoon and early evening who also want to support SSCOPE’s purpose and mental health awareness in general. Just contact 987-6300 (Lan or Bob) or email “sscope@mts.net

Connie Miron Band | Winnipeg, MB, CA | Rock / Folk Rock / Alternative Rock

To help awareness and understanding about mental health, it is important to know that much of the music we enjoy today, has come from musicians who had to cope with mental illness.  A link to a page which lists just some of these musicians is below.  Join us May 8th at Vimy Ridge park all afternoon as we celebrate their music and many others, at our Helping Hands-Creative Expressions festival…Rockin’ the Ridge.

Musicians and Mental Health

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve confirmed Azariah for our May 8th Rockin’ the Ridge helping hands-creative expressions festival at Vimy Ridge Park as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.  Link below.  A YouTube link is on their site.  Azariah is Azariah Paris, Steve Schofield and Todd Cardinal.

Azariah

SSCOPE Inc. is pleased to announce it will be hosting its public 2010 “Creative Expressions Celebration” at Vimy Ridge Park (821 Preston-at Portage Ave and Home Street) on Saturday May 8th. Garage sale of all things funky and wonderful in the am with the music, other entertainment and displays to start at 1:00 pm and continuing through the afternoon and early evening. More details to come.

Support mental health awareness and understanding. Support SSCOPE and our employment creation initiatives in support of mental health.

Music groups and artists that wish to participate in this fun day should contact SSCOPE at 987-6300. Join us to Rock the Ridge on May 8th. We need volunteers, and welcome your support and donations of money and items for auctions.

SSCOPE-Helping Hands…It’s Much More Than A Job!

SSCOPE has officially begun raising funds for a new crew cab vehicle to use in our business activities as we grow. Our recycling business and services we are offer is being well received. Growth in our employee-members to over 100 in recent months, and the addition of several new social enterprises dictates we do this immediately to keep up our momentum. New is our preferred option, but of course we would talk about other forms of donation…a used vehicle or a short term donation of a lease or rental vehicle. We will have ongoing equipment requirements as we expand so fund raising is always required.

Here’s what we are saying to our customers and supporters about this project. We hope you can

Thank you for supporting SSCOPE and our work on behalf of mental health in Winnipeg.

We invite and encourage you to donate more to SSCOPE if you can. Each $20.00 donation/fee provides the equivalent of almost to two hours of employee-member wages for those with mental illness and low income. In 2009 we assisted over 70 employee-members with wages for real work and it grows every year.

Currently we are raising funds for a Crew Cab truck for the organization which we vitally need as we continue to grow, with a $40,000 fund raising target. We hope you can help. Thanks again.

Bob Rempel, Executive Director

Crew after shovelling the sidewalk at 1000 Notre Dame. Left to right: Team Leader Walter Vater, Employee Adam Schweitzer, Employee Danny Boggs.

Amidst large moving jobs or ongoing snow clearing or lawn maintenance for our regular customers, we at SSCOPE often take a few minutes and just try and do jobs that be good for the community or useful to others. Our way of saying thank you to the community for your support.

Here employee-members and a Team Leader are shown after snow clearning of the sidewalk for about half a block near our office location at 1000 Notre Dame at McPhillips.

Contact SSCOPE at 987-6300 if you would like to discuss a lawn maintenance or snow clearing agreement for your business, organization or residence.

Thank you for supporting SSCOPE and our employment creation initiatives in support of mental health in Winnipeg!

SSCOPE’s mission is to provide gainful employment for those with mental illness through our own unique in Winnipeg model of business enterprises we control and operate. These are commonly called social enterprises. Many of are developed in partnership with other organizations in the community. In our case, City of Winnipeg, West End Biz, Warm Up Winnipeg/Build, Housing Plus, and more, plus there will be others as we grow.

We have been asked what is a social enterprise and what distinguishes it from other business enterprises? For us it is important to know that we are following a best practice approach in providing employment for our member-employees.

The following excerpt is directly from a January, 2010 research and recommendations study prepared for us on improving employment services for those with mental illness by Lesley Lindberg.

” 3.1 Social Enterprises and Social Firms

Social enterprises and social firms have gained in popularity although their efficacy is less well-researched.

Social firms are non-profit businesses (such as restaurants, shops, etc.) that operate in the open market and employ a workforce of staff with and without disabilities. The staff is paid market wages and can progress to open market employment with a track record of paid employment. Social firms require subsidies of approximately 10-40% of operating costs to compensate for lower productivity. The higher the subsidy the more workers with disabilities can be employed (Grove et al, 1997).

In a social firm, the emphasis is on creating a successful business that can support paid employment. The social firm operates entirely as a business, but its methods emphasise participation by employees in all aspects of the enterprise. Although it may offer training on a commercial basis, it is not primarily engaged in ‘rehabilitation’ and its core staff, whether or not disabled themselves, are paid the going rate for the work. About half the staff will be disabled people, and members from the disabled workforce may be in managerial positions.

There are more than 2000 work projects in Italy where they started as social cooperatives. These have spread across Europe. There are approximately 50 such enterprises in the United Kingdom. In the USA they appear more frequently as consumer run businesses (with the emphasis on businesses run solely by the service user). Social firms are being viewed as a possible solution to providing high quality sheltered employment (Grove and Drurie, 1999).

Social enterprise covers a range of models in which sheltered work has been influenced by the social firm’s emphasis on marketable products and services and meaningful jobs. In the German literature a social firm is distinguished by its market emphasis while social enterprise is distinguished by its rehabilitation emphasis. Social enterprise is the name adopted by small businesses that operate semi-commercially, but which have a training or rehabilitation function. Social enterprises do not generate revenue to pay wages and rely on about 90% subsidy of operational costs.

Cooperatives can operate like social firms or social enterprises, but they are owned and managed democratically by their members.
Some people will need or want employment training such as resume preparation, interviewing skills through a job club or employment agency, specific skill training or education through supported education in order to enter the competitive employment market.

The clubhouse model, originating in New York, is a combination of approaches where people with mental health problems can drop in for social activities, receive work training, be involved in running the clubhouse and try time-limited (typically 6 month) unskilled jobs with local employers to gain employment experience in transitional employment programs. They aim to help people address such issues as low self-esteem, low motivation and social isolation. They promote social inclusion and support people in leading meaningful lives in the community. The model is based on the principles of meaningful activity and psychosocial rehabilitation. Work is a central factor in its operation.

“Quantitative evaluation of the different models of employment and work projects is methodologically difficult because the models are often small — with different user populations and program details, operating in different local circumstances. Most work project research is quasi-experimental or descriptive, but the international evidence suggests that each model helps different people at different times in their recovery and reintegration (Pozner et al, 1996) and that people need access to different models. The “pitfalls of considering any one model to be the magic bullet for all people with SMI” has been termed the single model fallacy in the USA (International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services, 1999). Work projects are also a cost-effective alternative to traditional day care and are preferred by service users (Schneider, 1998) “(O’Flynn, 2001).
“As each model seems to help different people at different times, and because people may need a series of approaches as they recover and progress, people’s employment needs may be met best by developing a range of these models in each area as an integrated system facilitating long-term access to work and individual progression towards employment for even those with severe disabilities (O’Flynn & Ingamells, 1997).

This will need local solutions to local conditions in the context of the wider issues and the involvement of service users and employers. If this strategy is accepted and if work projects can encourage recovery and reintegration (and avoid re-institutionalisation) when they are used in the UK as mainstreamed services rather than model projects, there will be a considerable need for investment in local vocational services — and professional staff development.

It is not clear where this funding will come from — although it may be from existing day care in the short-term and from savings in social security and other spending in the long-term. There is a lot of work to be done if the human and social costs of unemployment are to be reduced and if the mental health service user with a job and a career is no longer the exception” (O’Flynn, 2001).”

You can support SSCOPE and our member-employees and our mission of providing gainful employment and income for those with mental illnesses. Our model of gainful employment in the community through our own social enterprises and partnerships is recognized as a best practice for those coping with mental illnesses.

Our snow clearing and lawn maintenance services are at the core of the services SSCOPE has provided the community for years. We have openings for new year round customers, including spring and fall cleanups. You can download and view our Snow and Lawn Services Estimate/Agreement form here.

As a non-profit we can offer you reasonable very competitive rates for our service, a supervised quality service in return for your support of our mission of supporting mental health in Winnipeg.

Our moving services division is growing rapidly as well and we can help with light to medium moves, deliveries, pick ups and disposal. We are also currently picking up donations of books, music and movies as well as computers to support new recycling job creation programs.

If you are interested in becoming a season or year round customer, please contact our office at 987-6300 and speak to our Operations Supervisor about an estimate.

Currently, we only accept payment by Cash or Cheque. The cost is a $15 CAD donation to our non-profit organization.

Please fill in the form below, and someone from SSCOPE, Inc. will contact you within 48 hours.

Please fill in the form below, and someone from SSCOPE, Inc. will contact you within 48 hours.

• Cleaning common areas
• Grass cutting and trimming
• Tree and shrub trimming
• Raking leaves and fall clean-up
• Snow Removal

Please fill in the form below, and someone from SSCOPE, Inc. will contact you within 48 hours.

• Home and apartment cleaning
• General Maintenance
• Computer setup, maintenance and repair
• Virus Removal

Please fill in the form below, and someone from SSCOPE, Inc. will contact you within 48 hours.

Currently, we only accept payment by Cash or Cheque. The cost is a $15 CAD donation to our non-profit organization.

Please fill in the form below, and someone from SSCOPE, Inc. will contact you within 48 hours.

• Delivering furniture and appliances
• Small to medium moving jobs
• Hauling unwanted items to the dump
• Special Christmas Tree pick up and recycling yearly project

Please fill in the form below, and someone from SSCOPE, Inc. will contact you within 48 hours.

• Cutting and trimming grass
• Tree and shrub trimming
• Gardening
• Raking leaves and fall clean-up
• Snow Removal

Average monthly cost for services is $90-$125

Please fill in the form below, and someone from SSCOPE, Inc. will contact you within 48 hours.

Program Update:

Certified Massage therapist and SSCOPE volunteer Kay Simms booked to help you relax (payment by donation) and Face Painting for the kids provided by Jessica of SPEAK. Win one of 40 kites donated to our event by the Independent Resource Living Centre.

This Saturday, May 8th, it’s Rockin’ at the Ridge, Vimy Ridge Park (Portage Avenue and Home Street) that is, as we bring attention to mental illness, to the stigma still associated with mental illness and mental health matters and the important role that normal functioning activities such as the employment and supports that SSCOPE offers it employee members can play in coping and recovery of mental illness.

Who hasn’t heard the song Manic Depression, by Jimi Hendrix, as his popularity remains strong today, and his prowess acknowledged by today’s youthful music lover and those not so young from the 60’s and 70’s. We enjoy the song, however, we don’t associate it with Hendrix’s ongoing battle with mental illness and bipolar disorder.

Who hasn’t experienced mental illness and mental health issues in their workplace, their family, fellow students, their neighbors or themselves and yet not talked about it openly.

On Saturday our musical acts will highlight some of the many singer/songwriters who have suffered from some form of mental illness and play their music. Speakers will talk briefly about their experience with mental illness, information tables will provide useful resources and there will be fun and laughter a plenty (well, partly because there will be a can’t miss Laughing Yoga demonstration mid afternoon).

Come out and enjoy the day with those of us from SSCOPE Inc. (www.sscope.org) and be part of Mental Health Awareness week, even if we have to imagine we’re basking in sunshine and its 20 celius outside. For more information call 987-6300

The event news release is attached.

#5-1000 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB. R3E 0N3 (204) 987-6300 Fax: (204) 987-6304 Email: sscope@mts.net
Website: http://www.sscope.org
Supporting mental health through gainful employment since 1991

NEWS RELEASE/PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT-May 3, 2010 (Bob Rempel-987-6302)
“One in five Canadians will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives”
SSCOPE’s Rockin’ At The Ridge for Mental Health Awareness Week-Saturday, May 8th

There will be Rockin’ at Vimy Ridge Park this Saturday May 8th but there will be much more at this free event during Mental Health Awareness Week, for the young, and the young at heart.

Kite flying, BMX bike stunts, a unique Laughing Yoga demonstration that ties in well with mental health, Garage Sale, Draws and other Prizes, plus Music, open air festival style all afternoon. Bring your tarps, chairs and blankets…and likely a sweater, but be ready to laugh and clap your hands. The Garage Sale begins at 9:00 am with the Musical Entertainment beginning at 12:00 noon.

The event is sponsored by SSCOPE Inc., (www.sscope.org) a Winnipeg non profit that creates gainful employment for individuals for whom all aspects of the work experience are an important part of their mental health. It currently provides lawn and yard maintenance services to the public, as well as moving and deliveries, building cleaning, vending and snow removal in winter. A $1,000.00 SSCOPE Services Certificate will be up for draw, among other great prizes from SSCOPE and businesses and members of the public.

SSCOPE is creating awareness for its ongoing programs and enlisting the public’s support for its current fundraising activities to add an additional hybrid fuelled vehicle as it expands its recycling programs community wide and to add a retail storefront to offers its recycled and refurbished products to the public.

In 2009 SSCOPE provided income to over 75 part time employee members, most of whom are low income earners, nearly double the previous year. The business target for 2010 is 100 part time employees or more. Barry Spain, one of the original founders of SSCOPE in 1991 will briefly recap the organization’s early years.

Entertainment Lineup Main Stage: (subject to change-final act list/times on website)
12:00: Sound check 12:15 Cruz Walters 1:00 pm: Azariah Rocks 2:00 Corey Zacharias 2:30 Laughing Yoga Demonstration 3:00 pm: Connie Miron Band 4:00 pm: Garth German Band 5:00 pm: Keep Your Day Job! 5:45 pm: DB Blues 6:45 pm: Jam & Rockin’ the Ridge finale.

Vimy Ridge Park is located on Portage Ave. at Home St. Bring your festival chairs, blankets and tarps. For more info about this event call SSCOPE at 987-6300.

For more information on mental illness and the social stigma see http://sscope.org/the-myths-of-mental-illness/
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SSCOPE’s Clean Up Winnipeg Recycling Program Supported In Part By Assiniboine Credit Union and LITE…Marketing and Communications Support for SSCOPE by the Winnipeg Foundation