Social Change in King’s County Phenomenal

Gareth changing the Career Resource Center reader board. Supported placements enable clients to practice the skills they learn in Flowercart programs in their community.

When Roger Tatlock started in the developmental services field at the age of 19, Flowercart was serving people who have an intellectual disability in a facility-based program only.

Now, people who have an intellectual disability find a job at minimum wage or better every two to three days thanks to Flowercart’s support.

“The social change that has occurred in King’s County, Nova Scotia in just my work-life is phenomenal.” Roger says.

People who have an intellectual disability are able to purchase support they need to be successful in their work from Flowercart.

Roger says support is critical in the sustained economic inclusion of people who have an intellectual disability.

About 50 people come to Flowercart every day to work at jobs the organization has created through its entrepreneurship. Flowercart's products and services include Baker's Choice Fine Foods, catering, and packaging for other local companies.

During the 2010-2011 fiscal year Flowercart raised 50.2 per cent of its approximately $3.14 million operating revenue from sales of its products and services.

The founding documents and vision of the founders and original board members have been integral to this success, Roger says.

Jennifer at work

The dream from the beginning was for people who have an intellectual disability to contribute to the labour force in King’s County, making enough to sustain themselves and live independently.

While that vision has stayed the same over the years, a regional labour shortage has resulted in new opportunities to make it more possible to turn this dream into reality. Government forecasts are that by 2021 half of Nova Scotia’s adult population will be retired, and around 2030 one in eight jobs in the province will go unfilled.

There is a new willingness from employers to hire people who have an intellectual disability.

“Employers are far more open to thinking about solutions to their production labour problems in different ways, and we’ve been there to take advantage of that,” Roger says.

To make the most of these opportunities, Flowercart has had to become more business savvy, he says.

Becca working at Acadianna Soy Products

Today, the entrepreneurial flair of the organization has been noted by new staff coming from a social services background.

An ongoing challenge for Flowercart is operating as a hybrid.

“We regularly talk about the balance between human service and business,” Roger says.

“You always have to provide excellent human service and, of course, if you want to stay in business, you have to provide excellent service to customers.”