Open Sky Co-operative Ltd.
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Mission Statement
Open Sky Co-operative fills a gap in services, and improves economic and community inclusion in the southeast region of New Brunswick, through residential, vocational, and personal skills support of adults who face barriers due to disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, and/or mental health challenges. Open Sky bridges the ‘cliff’ following high school, enabling young adults to create fulfilling and meaningful lives. Located on an 11-acre organic heritage farm, Open Sky utilizes its welcoming farmhouse, inviting gardens and irresistible animals as a context to build resilience through skills-building, social connections and acceptance. Skilled staff provide mental health support, learning strategies and educational tools to manage disabilities, encourage and open up opportunities. Open Sky has particular expertise with Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially with transitional skills supports. Public education on mental health and disability is also a priority.
About This Cause
Open Sky Co-operative Ltd. is a charitable enterprise that was created to address a gap in services, and improve economic and community inclusion in the southeast region of New Brunswick, through residential support, vocational training and personal skills support, for adults who face barriers due to disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, and/or mental health challenges. Our charitable objects are: 1. To establish and maintain a residential, educational and therapeutic facility for persons with social, developmental or mental health challenges, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders or Asperger Syndrome. 2. To provide life-skills development programmes, vocational training, mentorship, and recreational and social activities to persons with social, developmental or mental health challenges. 3. To educate and increase the understanding of the public about the causes and effects of, and treatments for, social, developmental or mental health challenges, on the barriers that prevent the participation of persons with disabilities in their community life and on the support services available to persons suffering from such disabilities. 4. To undertake activities ancillary and incidental to the above-mentioned charitable purposes. Membership in Open Sky includes program participants, local volunteers, staff, health professionals, organizations, churches and businesses. All members interrelate in mutuality and co-operation, more as companions rather than as caretakers or recipients. The Open Sky Co-operative 11-acre heritage farm, located within the Town of Sackville, has a 5-bedroom farmhouse, barn, chicken coop, gardens, greenhouses, and a teaching kitchen and program space that offer many opportunities for programming and residency. Established in 2011 with just a vision, Open Sky has achieved much, through the work of skilled volunteers and minimal staff. The first foundation of our vision is that of 'care farming' which is a well-established approach to supporting those with mental health challenges in Europe, on working farms. With therapeutic horticultural approaches, adults can find non-judgmental support, meaningful activities, physical health and emotional balance during the routines of planting, growing, harvesting and eating fresh healthy foods. Farming and gardening also offers opportunities to build resilience - life skills (cooking, cleaning etc), social skills (problem-solving, conflict resolution, friendship-making), employability skills (arriving on-time, taking on and completing tasks, following directions, etc) and leisure skills (activities that rejuvenate and relax, in meaningful ways). Open Sky has particular expertise in teaching transition skills (the skills that enable one to move from school into community, residential or vocational settings) with people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Utilizing the principles of TEACCH, and accumulating a wealth of experience and strategies, Open Sky offers programs both on- and off-site, that enable adults with ASD to achieve greater independence and opportunities in life and work. Open Sky is also doing leading-edge work in enterprise development with adults who experience barriers. For example, Powerhouse Co-operative Ltd. is a new local business, fostered through a 2016 employment development training at Open Sky, that now provides living wages and sustainable employment for its members. Receiving ongoing support through Open Sky, Powerhouse is now a place where Open Sky ‘graduates’ can continue to learn and achieve independence, through meaningful and supported employment in their chosen fields of work. The Co-operative Business Model that underpins the structure and relationships within Open Sky, also relates closely to the Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Model for mental health. Co-operative values are self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Co-operative principles are: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; member economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; co-operation among co-operatives; and concern for community. The Psycho-social Rehabilitation model for mental health includes values and principles such as hope and respect, learning and growth, culture and diversity, autonomy in decision-making, self-determination and empowerment, building upon strengths, addressing the distinct needs of each individual, and improving all aspects of life. The volunteer Board of Directors meets monthly to manage and oversee the establishment and growth of Open Sky Co-operative. Every year, finances improve toward sustainability, and the vision of developing a model that can be replicated in other rural communities is coming closer to reality.