July 1, 2015. Western Head, N.S. The River Bend.

Every day,  Mr. Gaskell, who drives us from the airport, picks up 8 people at the workshop in Milton and drops them off at The River Bend Grocery and Cafe, where they work until 3:00 when they return.  These folks are challenged and come to the workshop each day from their homes.  At the center, tasks are assigned, depending on abilities.   Years ago, we had our chairs repaired.  An older man was a skilled carpenter and when he retired he worked at the workshop, teaching skills.  Ken had tried to fix the chairs twice, but after the workshop folks worked on them they have never come apart again.  

Four years ago, an old run down little grocery store came up for sale in Mill Village.  Someone had the brilliant idea to buy the store and have it as a project for the folks who come each day to the shelter.  So they did.   At first, the task was to fix it up and run it as a little store, so the shelter folks would learn more skills.  Next, someone suggested they hold brunch once a month, and they did, all the while teaching the folks from the shelter the specific tasks that fits their abilities.  One thing turned into another.  Now the River Bend serves lunch every day and brunch every Sunday.  The workers from the shelter work 2 or 3 days each week.  They get paid and the River Bend contributes to the cash flow of the shelter.   Now they are catering for us at our home.

On the way home from the airport, the River Bend prepared a box lunch for us.  Our driver was chatting with one of the workers, who was obviously from the shelter.  She was busy filling candy boxes and bringing them from the back room.  She was asked if she liked her job.  She said,"Oh yes.  I love my job and I love The River Bend.  I have learned so much working here".  It is quite a remarkable endeavor  and my hats are off to the good folks who have  patience and  perseverance .  Dealing with challenging individuals is not an easy task.