1. Supporting people with
developmental
disabilities
Evelyn Zaya

2. C Citizens with
H Handicaps having the
O Opportunity to be
I Involved in their
C Community with
E Effective
S Supports

3.  The CHOICES agency has many locations in the
Hamilton / flamboruogh / Dundas / Waterdown
Ancaster/Brampton area.
 My placement is located at
459 Ofield Rd. South Brampton
 Program manager
Sarah Meharg, Westfield Day Program
Tel: (905) 628-1685 ext. 255
smeharg@choicesgroup.org
 Services individuals with developmental disabilities
in the Hamilton, Brampton , Dundas, Flamboruogh,
Waterdowm, Ancaster, Brampton

4. CHOICES is a not-for-profit organization located in
Hamilton, Ontario. they support and assist people with
developmental disabilities to pursue opportunities to
actively participate in their community. CHOICES offers a
wide range of community supports which include
assisted housing, vocational and life skills training,
respite, volunteer opportunities and community
integration activities

5.  Choices offers a wide range of community supports
which include:
 Westfield day program
 Mohawk day program
 8 residential homes
 supported Independent home programs
 Family home programs
 Employment training and job opportunities
 Vocational and life skills training
 Volunteer opportunities
 Community integration activities
 Abuse training programs

6.  The Mission of CHOICES is to actively pursue a
continuum of service that will enhance the quality of
life for individuals with developmental disabilities,
promote social inclusion, and the worth and self-
worth of the individuals we support.

7.  CHOICES is a recognized leader in providing supports
and services for people with developmental
disabilities including those with behavioral
challenges. They ensure that the people they support
have opportunities to live and participate in their
communities by providing effective individualized
supports delivered in an innovative, safe and
accountable manner.

8.  The Mulberry Bush provides retail life skills
opportunities for adults with developmental
disabilities, on both a full and part time basis. The
individuals we support make up ¾ of the retail staff at
the store, responsible for everything from customer
service to merchandising. They arrive each day to
open the store, interact with customers, share their
product knowledge, help customers make informed
purchases, and assist in processing their sales on the
point of sale system. This not only helps the four
individuals expand their natural communication, social
and financial skills, but allows them to learn how to
apply these skills in the workforce.

9.  Expanding on the life skills program that CHOICES runs at
Westfield , CHOICES envisions the Mulberry Bush as the
perfect retail opportunity; first it provides adults with
developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain actual
retail experience leading to competitive employment and
second any profits from the store go back into supporting
people with developmental disabilities .
 “The intent is to provide educational opportunities in a
learning environment that is as normal a setting as
possible; and to deliver the message to the public that
people with developmental disabilities can and do work
productively."
Visit the Mulberry Bush at 92 King Street West
 Dundas, or call 905-628-7931.

10.  Westfield Day Program is located in Flamborough and
provides meaningful day supports to adults with
developmental disabilities who are 18 years of age or
older. Westfield is a large program that focuses on skills
building, pre-employment opportunities and literacy
skills. This day program offers choices to each individual
accessing service by highlighting and focusing on their
personal and work related goals established during Person
Centered Planning.
 Hours of support varies for each individual depending on
their needs and service options received, (i.e. shelter day
program space, Passport to Community funding). Program
activities can be through organized in-program activities or
community based programs in nearby Waterdown, Dundas
and the Hamilton area.

11.  Pre-Employment program training includes assisting individuals
to identify job skills and interests, resume writing, interview skills,
job search and some job coaching. Westfield Day Program is able
to offer job experience through the donations program, The
Mulberry Bush in Dundas, and the lawn care and maintenance
program in house. Westfield is very successful with the
current work program distributing paper products to other non-
profit agencies. This service provides excellent exposure to the
individuals we support in regards to job related skills, customer
service and satisfaction. The program the HUT help individuals
get prepared for employment out in the community.
 Westfield Day Program provides a partnership with Hamilton
Wentworth District School Board to provide Workplace
Literacy. We currently have a teacher on site five days per week.

12.  Ministry of Community and Social
Services
http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/
 OASIS: Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with
Special Needs
http://www.oasisonline.ca/

13.  CHOICES takes pride in hiring Developmental Services
Workers looking for a unique and challenging role as
Support Workers.
forward your resume by:
Email: choices@choicesgroup.org
Fax: (905) 628-6175
 Current employment opportunities may also be found
on Charity Village
www.charityvillage.com/cvnet/career_centre.aspx

14.  My main task at this program is to Support, Encourage
and Socialize with the students helping them develop
their Social skills
 Empowering my clients to make their own choices in
- Interaction with others
- Helping set goals
- Build self- confidence and self-esteem
 To establish strategies for getting the message of
CHOICES and its services to the community.
 I support the clients when out in the community
interacting
 Documentation and research
 Redirection

15. Having my placement at the choices agency
helped me realize the much needed support in
the developmental disability sector. I am proud
and excited to continue with my placement at
an agency that cares and assists individuals in
making their own choices and give them the
right tools to help them be a part of their
community and participate in making their
world a better place and also advocating and
assisting with clients needs.