Laverne Benson shown at Atoskewin Success Centre where she is now employed full-time. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Celebrating success

Atoskewin Success Centre sees positive stories in past year

Dec 31, 2019 | 3:23 PM

Laverne Benson already had a casual job but she needed full time employment.

She already had computer skills so that wasn’t an obstacle.

But she needed a boost to her self confidence and an opportunity to gain more experience to let her skills shine.

That’s why she chose Atoskewin Success Centre in North Battleford.

Benson completed the program and was selected for a placement opportunity right at the facility. She learned various jobs as she progressed.

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She was soon able to attain casual employment elsewhere, but was eventually offered permanent full-time work as a clerical receptionist at the success centre.

“As soon as I saw the posting for reception at Atoskewin in August, I grabbed it,” Benson said.

The Red Pheasant First Nation woman also took a life skills course through the facility that gave her the added confidence she needed to succeed in the workforce.

“I thought it would open doors for me in the future and help me gain some kind of experience,” Benson said of the program.

She also received help with her resume and upgraded some of her skills.

Benson’s is just one of many positive stories this past year for the Atoskewin Success Centre, managed under Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc.

Located at 104 Street, the Atoskewin Success Centre also offers a number of online courses.

Employment and Training Director Kerry Sasakamoose said the facility provided employment placement for 1,050 clients with various employers from April 2018 to March 2019.

The centre also held a launch for two new projects this past July – a family centre as well as a beauty salon.

While families are accessing the centre’s services they can also see a counsellor and complete some land-based learning, which is “key to our program,” Sasakamoose said.

The centre revamped its employment preparedness programs to make sure clients are still experiencing land-based learning as well, which Sasakamoose describes as “getting your roots back,” while also completing a four-week practicum.

Sasakamoose said Benson as a graduate is a testament to the success of Atoskewin’s education and training program.

“We believe in people; we have that passion,” Sasakamoose said. “We have a staff of 15, and we all share that same vision.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow