Our Programs & Services

GVS staff collaborate with each person to determine an individualized vocational plan that tailors services to meet their needs and goals.

GVS is specialized in working with people with mental health conditions, including survivors of violence and abuse and youth at risk. Our employment services assists eligible clients attain meaningful employment, volunteerism and/ or access to educational/ skills training programs.

 
 

 

Supported Employment Program

This program incorporates the Skills for Wellness & Work group and individualized employment services to help find and sustain a meaningful job.

Following this comprehensive 6-week group, each client transitions to one to one services with their vocational team.

Individualized employment services are unique to each person. This may involve a work placement to build work experience and confidence, or a psychological or occupational therapy vocational assessment to identify abilities, strengths, areas of difficulty, career interests, and suitable career pathways, or immediate competitive job search. Once a job is secured, job support continues for 52 weeks of employment.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Mental Health Diagnosis

  • Living in Vancouver

  • Connected to mental health support

    (e.g. family doctor or psychiatrist)

  • Unemployed or precariously employed

  • Legally able to work in Canada

  • Desire to find work

 

Funded by:

 

 

Youth & Young Adult Program

The Youth and Young Adult program (YYAP) has been operating successfully for twenty years. It is specialized in its approach, offering highly individualized, flexible, holistic and trauma-informed services to support youth and young adults achieve their employment and educational goals.

The program aspires to meet clients where they are at in their vocational journey. Services are flexible, highly individualized and range from helping youth and young adults get a meaningful job, supporting them with career exploration or taking the next steps with their education goals.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Mental Health Diagnosis

  • Living in Vancouver

  • Connected to mental health support

    (e.g. family doctor or psychiatrist)

  • Ages 16-29 years old

  • Legally able to work in Canada

  • Desire to get support with transitioning to work or school

 

Funded by:

 

Overview of Services

 

Supported employment and education services are individualized to each client.

Services may include:

  • Competitive job search support

  • Cognitive remediation

  • Computer skills assessment and instruction

  • Customized employment

  • Job coaching and job maintenance support

  • Mental health coping strategies for the workplace

  • Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

  • Occupational therapy vocational assessments

  • Peer support

  • Pre-employment skill development

  • Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP)

  • Psychological vocational assessments

  • Supported education services

  • Vocational exploration

  • Work experience placements

  • Wage subsidies

 
 

 

Skills for Wellness & Work Group

 

Most often the starting point of the WorkBC program, this comprehensive 6-week trauma informed work readiness group incorporates mental health coping skills, vocational exploration, and job readiness skills to prepare participants to find and keep meaningful employment.

This includes:

  • Developing coping strategies to stay well, better manage stress and support work-life balance

  • Honing skills in communication, problem solving, working with others, resume building, job search and interviewing

  • Increasing self-awareness of your strengths, values and suitable job areas with standardized vocational assessments

  • Exploring labour market trends and opportunities

  • Honorarium provided for your efforts

  • Two industry standards certifications included, e.g. Occupational First Aid, SuperHost Service For All,

  • Individualized vocational / training plans

This group is highly recommended for those who have not worked for six months or more. It is designed to build important skills to get and keep a job. It prioritizes fostering safety, learning from one another and building confidence as people take this important step in their lives.

Following the 6-week group, each participant is connected with their vocational team for one to one support. A collaborative, individualized approach is provided to help you reach your employment goal.

 
 

Funded by:

 

To learn more about how GVS can support your vocational goals