Home Team Gets To Work Downtown

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 01 May 2014 13:00

A new program to keep Vernon's downtown looking good, is being called a win-win for all the participants. The Kindale Developmental Association and the Downtown Vernon Association have created the Home Team where 15 Kindale clients will provide year-round landscaping and street maintenance. Lara Konkin, executive director of the DVA, says the workers started their shifts today, and are decked out in bright green jackets with "Home Team" on the back. "They cover from the Fruit Union Plaza to the Powerhouse Theatre, and from 27th Street all the way to behind (the downtown) Safeway," says Konkin. Konkin says the workers will have multiple duties. "They will take care of the flower beds, picking up garbage, walking through the alleys, making notes about anything that needs to be addressed. Essentially they will give the downtown a presence," she says. Konkin says "The Home Team" can also wash windows, or help a business with unloading. "Just give us a call and we'll send a team there to help with that. In winter time, they'll be shoveling sidewalks. Whatever needs to be done in the downtown core, these guys are there to do it," adds Konkin. B. Elliott, executive director of Kindale, says the workers, who have developmental disabilities, will mostly work five hours a day Monday to Friday, but will also help with special events like the Sunshine Festival and the new Friday night markets. "Partnering with the DVA and beautifying the community, it's an excellent opportunity for the individuals that we support." Elliott says some of the crew have found if difficult to find work because they need additional support. "It's an experience I'm sure that will be part of their lives forever." The DVA has a contract to pay a fee to Kindale. "And the individuals receive real pay for real work, so it's a pay cheque, a little better than minimum wage, vacation pay. All that stuff that goes with real work," says Elliott.