The last inventory of Vancouver’s 2010 Games street banners are now on sale at the Flag Shop. The banners are a great gift and memento of the 2010 Vancouver Games. These beautiful banners were donated by the City of Vancouver and are being used to raise funds for Tradeworks legacy ‘Fab Shop’.
The banners come in several styles and many are signed by VANOC CEO, John Furlong, and three Canadian Olympians.
The Flag Shop is located at 1615 Powell St. in East Vancouver – www.flagshop.com
The RONA 2010 Fabrication Shop operated for almost three years in advance of the games, producing over 11,000 items needed for the events and venues. But the special feature of this Fab Shop was that it integrated a training and employment program for at-risk populations. The employment program was very successful and Tradeworks has agreed to take over the facility and project as a ‘legacy’ of the games. It now operates as a unique social enterprise sustained through a blend of sales revenues, fund-raising revenues, and government contributions. www.thefabshop.ca
This past December, Tradeworks Custom Products’ Women’s workshop said goodbye to another graduate group from their program. From the seven participants who completed the program, five of the women are either now employed in the trades or are enrolling in trades training. A couple of them decided to share their experience in the program and give thanks for all those who supported them along the way.
________________________________________________________________
“The program has changed my outlook significantly, where I previously settled for working for low wages in the service industry at jobs I got no satisfaction from and did not stay with for significant periods while trying to find enough extra money to be able to work on art related projects, I now see a future where I can work creatively for decent wages, happily and gainfully employed.”
“Low income women who do not see a real or purposeful future for themselves are given the skills and shown opportunities without which they would remain unemployed or not gainfully employed and feeling hopeless and like a burden on the societies in which they live.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with Tradeworks and the Women in Trades Program, especially Kate and Arleen [since] without their patience, belief and constant support I could have not finished the program as I have [had]some health issues including previous addictions, depression and panic disorder. [This has] made it difficult for me to successfully complete other job finding and [career] training programs. [This situation] is very common to women who have lived in low income neighborhoods and been raised in situations which result in low self-esteem and often little practical knowledge of how to pursue their dreams in a realistic way. For me the value of this program is immeasurable, thank you.
-Jennifer
_______________________________________________________________________________
“I was offered day-care service to take care of my son while I studied, [which] was highly appreciated. [These benefits gave] me the opportunity to see what [the program was like] and to learn what it teaches. [I was also able to] update my knowledge and attain new skills. [This enhanced] my confidence to compete in the job market and sharpened my capability to contribute [to] Canadian needs.”
“My 5-year old was proud of me because he [liked] my group project – a wooden house model which was made [with the help of Kate and her team].”
-Michelle
_______________________________________________________________________________
Tradeworks Women’s Workshop offers this ten –week course to help 
participants develop skills in joinery and woodworking, as well as assist them in exploring other career options available in the trades. This pre-employment program is a great opportunity for inner-city women to expand their workplace
On Friday November 26th, the Tradeworks FabShop launched their new program for 2010-11, by holding an Open House celebration. Visitors were able to check out the fabrication shop site, as well as some of the amazing products created by past classes who graduated from the program. This marks the first cycle of students to participate in this Vancouver Olympics legacy program.
After filing in out of the rain, almost 100 guests and volunteers mingled with the participants and instructors of the program, or enjoyed touring the large space until the stage was set, and the inspirational speakers were ready. Addressing the audience who had gathered around the stage, Ross Gentleman, Executive Director of Tradeworks, recognized those who played a essential role in making this program possible, including Russ Jones from RONA, who took to the stage and expressed how excited the company and the RONA Foundation were to be once again supporting the FabShop program.
A highlight of the afternoon was when Laurie Murray, a new participant in the program, took the stage and described the impact of only the first few days at the FabShop, and the optimism it gave her. As a single mother who suffered minor brain injuries after an accident, Murray found herself in a difficult situation, struggling to make ends meet while raising a child. Standing tall with a huge smile, Laurie explains how the FabShop, “…has shown [her] how to be a strong, independent woman and with these skills; [she has] been a better worker and a better mother to [her] son”. She went on to, “…thank everyone who has to do with funding and providing the program, and [she] thought [she] would throw out there that Kevin Cassidy has been able to teach [her] things, other teachers never were able to do. So a big thanks to you”.
This innovative program takes in 17 at-risk students every cohort, from a variety of backgrounds, and teaches them the in-demand skills of fabrication and carpentry. Participants gain workplace experience, practical skills, and confidence. These essential stepping-stones can then help to craft future successes, and provide direction for the next stage of participants’ lives.
The FabShop is a social enterprise that produces wood products and services. The next goal of our business is to source fabrication contracts from repeat purchasers. As an FSC ce
rtified facility, the Fab Shop has the ability to deliver top quality, sustainable wood products while also providing real world employment for trainees. It is a win-win business decision for any company looking for a way to meet social sustainability or other CSR objectives.
For more information about purchasing/ordering products made by the FabShop, please visit our website at: http://www.thefabshop.ca/.
Tradeworks Fabrication Shop
1220 East 2nd Ave.,
Vancouver. B.C.
V6A 3Y6
Phone: (604) 876-2011 | Email: info@thefabshop.ca
Tradeworks Custom Products will soon be launching our 2010 Holiday tree ornaments, watch our web site. These decorations are made from BC beetle kill pine. These sustainable tree decorations will feature the 12 days - starting with a Partridge in a Pear Tree and so on. They are beautifully detailed in layers of blue pine, and come in sets suitable for seasonal gifts! Novel Christmas gifts made of a natural sustainable BC wood. ….coming soon.
