SASKATOONEXPRESS - February 1-7, 2016 - Page 3
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Cosmo Industries
Expansion means more happy faces and high-fives
T
he joyful expressions on the faces of Sharlene Duquette, Randine Graf, Denise Young and Brent Rempel really tell the story of the inner workings and the happy environment which exist at Cosmopolitan Industries Inc. in Saskatoon. Cosmo provides vocational work, non-vocational activities and a support system for adults with intellectual disabilities. The goal is for all participants to achieve maximum potential by allowing them to control and direct their own lives, make decisions, take responsibility for their actions and learn through success and failure. The site on Alberta Avenue is jumping with the presence of 377 program participants and 160 staff People members. “We fondly remember the founders from 45 years ago who were resilient, persistent and dedicated,” said Duquette, a long-time employee who became executive director in April 2015. “We don’t want to lose sight of why we run a great program.” “Parents tell me what they think are the vital to the heart of our programs,” said Graf, the project manager. “They take pride in their children, their sense of belonging in the community, the ways they can join the purposeful activities and build the socialization and the relationships. They are impressed with the long-term support. They also appreciate a legacy of the ability to be creative.” Young, the program director, says the success is due to a “welcoming environment in which we face their challenges, find ways to support each one, and I get the impression from the participants they are very proud to be included in the Cosmo family.” Rempel, who joined the board in 2009 and is currently its president, says he likes Cosmo’s “multi-faceted approach, which mixes some business flair to the social enterprise, and I really get to share in the compassion displayed by the participants. It is my way of giving back. I have never regretted the moment that Howard Stensrud tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to join the board of directors.” The company has been in existence under the Cosmo banner since 1972, when its founders recognized Saskatoon’s Cosmopolitan Club and the financial support it gave to delivering what was once the Smith-Roles building. By 1983, the need for an adjoining building, then occupied by GWG on 34th Street, was realized and the grand opening took place in July of that year. From the small beginnings came ever-changing programs and vocational activities. There was a time when there were more than 400 participants.
NED POWERS
Brent Rempel is chair of the Cosmo board, while Sharlene Duquette is the organization’s executive director (Photo by Sandy Hutchinson) Changes have occurred. Cosmo started to make an impact on recycling in 1976, and soon had 210 bins at 100 sites in Saskatoon where newspapers were collected. The newspapers were shredded and converted into apple cartons and egg cartons by a company in Swift Current. Cardboard was returned to North American mills. By 2011, Cosmo lost its place as a dominant player and the recycling bins were eliminated by the City of Saskatoon. By 2012, Loraas Disposal Services was awarded a city contract for curbside recycling for single homes. Cosmo, which had lost out in the bidding process for single homes, won a contract to provide recycling for multi-units. Today, it services 34,000 units on 900 properties. Cosmo Golf Canada was born in 1985, a move suggested by sporting goods entrepreneur Al Anderson. First it was an assembly line for shafts, heads, grips and other parts of the golf clubs. Later, the Saskatoon enterprise began designing some of its own parts. There was a time in 2003 when Cosmo golf produced 250,000 clubs a year. Once Asian nations began supplying the finished golf products to American companies, Cosmo Golf was no longer in an economic position to compete. From the time each morning that 22 busloads of participants arrive on the Cosmo scene, the place is a beehive of activity. There is still the recycling production line. But there is a variety of positons, including mail management, cleaning plant pots, packaging lights and painting gas meters. Most of the work is done within the Cosmo complex, but there can be as many as 77 workers outside the building each day to assist in busing tables, shredding paper, doing janitorial work or restocking the shelves in stores. Cosmo took a big step just two weeks ago when it entered a partnership with the Saskatchewan government to hire up to 14 participants for work in two satellite stations — one at Market Mall and one on Arlington Avenue. The
two locations will serve as sites for community programs and expanded opportunities for training in business, work and employment situations and adapting to a variety of other skills. By opening up the new positions, Cosmo lifted a freeze on admissions, something which dated back to April 2014, because there were issues with crowding, congestion and safety within the main building. The Saskatchewan government provided $386,329, to help with Cosmo’s expansion and diversification. “We want to see the satellites become successful,” said Rempel, “so we can accept more participants into our programs. The need to supply employment for the participants will never go away.” “Our participants are thrilled and excited each day they come to work,” Duquette added. “One of them once asked me why they couldn’t come here six days a week.” Young says Cosmo works closely with high schools, providing some work experiences “so they get to feel comfortable in a workplace, and we usually start admitting new participants when they reach the age of 22.” There is no limit on how long participants can stay. There is a focus on programming for individuals who are elderly or experiencing early dementia. Attendance for seniors can be on a full-time, part-time or drop-in basis. A partnership has been formed with the nearby St. Michael’s elementary school, allowing seniors to visit the school and enjoy speakers and presentations. “It’s not hard to enjoy life in this organization” said Graf, noting the building is constantly being renovated to accommodate the changing needs of its participants. “When you step inside these doors in the morning, it is all about the smiles and chuckles and you can’t help but feel better immediately,” said Graf. Young added: “Where else can you get hundreds of highfives in a day?”
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