CASE Member Spotlight
Community Centre Alliance
Pour la version française de cet article, veuillez cliquer ici. | For the French version of this post, please click here.
For any program, particularly in a region with a scarcity of resources, a recipe for successful outcomes includes partnership, collaboration, and a place-based approach that meets people where they are. The Community Centre Alliance (CCA) Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. is unique in that it embodies all three factors in its programming and service delivery.
CCA is a partnership between five Community Centres located in social housing neighbourhoods in St. John’s, Newfoundland:
- Buckmaster’s Circle Community Centre
- Froude Avenue Community Centre
- MacMorran Community Centre
- Rabbittown Community Centre
- Virginia Park Community Centre
The key to successful supported employment outcomes for the Community Centre Alliance is a person-centred, place-based, and collaborative approach.
Collectively, the Community Centres serve approximately 1,100 homes in their neighbourhoods. They offer place-based supports for residents and work to remove the many social and economic barriers linked to low income.
CCA was created in 2002 to support the Centres’ employment and education programs and services. Today, CCA works to reduce and remove barriers by focusing on three pillars:
Employment and
Career Development
Learning and
Literacy
Wellness
(including Food Security and Mental Health)
Employment Programs
Community Employment Facilitators provide employment related services in communities through active outreach, engagement, individualized support, and referrals. Their approach is strengths-based, collaborative, and flexible—they meet people where they are in their employment journey and in the community.
Building Employment Opportunities (BEO)
The overarching goal of BEO is to increase the employability, self-reliance, and independence of individuals who face employment barriers. Over the past 22 years, CCA’s ability to provide seamless, long-term support for individuals has helped make them a known and trusted presence in all five neighbourhoods, with proven results.
In Motion & Momentum Plus (IM&M+)
IM&M+ is a transformative program developed by the Canadian Career Development Foundation in partnership with the Government of New Brunswick. Designed to support clients not yet ready for traditional pre-employment programs, IM&M+ empowers individuals to tap into their full potential, redefine their future, and take control of their lives.
This program has significantly enhanced participants’ resilience, interpersonal skills, and motivation, enabling them to confidently progress toward their desired goals.
Value of Work, Value of Money
CCA has successfully delivered the Value of Work, Value of Money (VOW) program since 2005, providing essential support to neighbourhood youth. This eight-week employment and training initiative equips youth with invaluable work experience, personal and life skills, career information, and financial expertise.
Advance Assist, Building Community Solutions
Advance Assist provides comprehensive support to all community members, helping them to navigate bureaucratic systems and overcome barriers. Given the scarcity of resources in Newfoundland and Labrador, support must be enhanced for marginalized community members, enabling them to secure employment or enhance their employability and skill set.
Driving Force for Social Progress and Community Development
In the next few years, CCA aims to expand its reach within the community, foster inclusivity, and provide a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of community members. They would like to cultivate strong partnerships, engage with local stakeholders, and facilitate initiatives that promote positive change and empowerment.
Ultimately, they are aiming to become a driving force for social progress and community development.
For more information about the Community Centre Alliance, visit their website: https://ccanl.ca/
“Being a CASE member means being part of a community dedicated to making a tangible, positive impact in the lives of individuals and the broader community. It's about fostering inclusivity, creating meaningful partnerships, and driving social progress.”
Community Centre Alliance
To have your organization’s great work featured on a national level on the CASE blog and in our newsletter, reach out to: