Cosmopolitan Industries celebrated the opening of two new locations with ribbon cutting ceremonies Wednesday.
The special needs organization that provides workplace training and opportunities for adults with intellectual challenges, celebrated a reopening at its Market Mall.
Though Cosmopolitan Industries, more commonly known as Cosmo, has had a satellite home there for nearly four years, extensive renovations at Market Mall over the past 18 months moved Cosmo to the eastern end of the building with double the space.
“What we’re doing is nothing different than what our initial program was, other than we have a lot more space to do it in,” Cosmo’s executive director Sharlene Duquette said. “It’s growing employment opportunities and doing some training for employment, so we’re really excited about that.”
Program participant Misty Stack appreciates showing up to the mall each day.
“We have lots of good people at Cosmo that have good techniques and teach us how to be in the community,” she said. “It’s been a pleasure having Cosmo in my life.”
Richie-Rich Sayers, another participant, said there are other perks associated with working in a mall.
“My favourite job is going to Tim Horton’s with staff, going for a walk — you buy everything,” he said.
Cosmo wasted no time with it’s expansion, adding a brand new office to its existing family of locations at Clarence Avenue and Market Mall, in addition to its head office on 34th Street.
The grand opening at Acadia Avenue features a new Life Enrichment program that focuses on partnering with community stakeholders.
Duquette sees it as all part of the organization’s growth.
“We’re expanding, and I think that’s what Cosmo has done for 50 years, expanding options for people with disabilities that need a program,” she said.
The province spends around $8 million to fund Cosmo annually. An additional $20,000 was spent on the Market Mall expansion and the 10 new participants it will now have space for.
$120,000 was provided to cover startup costs at the Acadia Drive location that will support an additional 20 people.