News

Sechelt, BC - On Wednesday, June 12th, 2024, the WorkBC Centre-Sechelt opened its doors to a warm gathering of clients, community members, employers, service partners, and dedicated team members from across Open Door Group employment programs. The day was filled with sunshine, laughter, and excitement from participants across the Coast!

The event began at noon with a heartfelt territorial acknowledgment and welcome song by Elder Andy Johnson of the shishalh Nation. Alona Puehse, CEO of Open Door Group, delivered an inspiring opening speech, followed by the exciting ceremonial ribbon-cutting that officially opened the new center.

The new office space was carefully designed to be spacious, inviting, and accessible. A highlight upon entry was the beautiful mural on a vibrant orange wall in the resource room, carefully crafted by Manuela Salinas, an artist from the shishalh Nation. The mural featured words of welcome in the she-shashishalhem language, symbolizing a heartfelt embrace for all visitors. According to Manuela: "Indigenous holistic art forms have specific meanings when symbols join together in particular ways. In this piece, each letter holds unique eyes. Eyes to watch over you from many directions and welcome you into this place with an open mind and open heart!"

Photo of the wall mural displaying words of welcome in the she-shashishalhem language at the WorkBC Centre-Sechelt office.

Reflecting on the journey to this milestone, Joan Schiebelbein, Associate Program Director of WorkBC Centre-Sechelt, expressed gratitude, saying, "It has been an incredible journey since we moved into our new office in Sechelt three weeks ago. The support from our team and the community has been overwhelming." It took great dedication and teamwork from the WorkBC Centre-Sechelt team to make the office relocation and Open House possible.

Local visitors found the new WorkBC Centre-Sechelt office welcoming, particularly noting the inclusive and inviting atmosphere fostered by elements like the welcome message honoring the shíshálh Nation's territory. Joan added, "We aimed to create a space that would resonate with both clients and staff, and the positive feedback we received from visitors is encouraging to the entire team and everyone involved in designing and building the new center. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved!"

For many local community members, WorkBC Centre-Sechelt plays a vital role in connecting job seekers with employment opportunities and helping employers find the right talent. Whether seeking career guidance, skills improvement, or recruitment solutions, WorkBC's services cater to a diverse range of needs.

For those interested in exploring what WorkBC Centre-Sechelt has to offer, virtual appointments via phone or video conference are available. To schedule an appointment or learn more about their services, please contact WorkBC Centre-Sechelt at 604-885-3351.

As the day concluded, attendees left the Open House with a sense of optimism and community spirit, indicating the positive impacts the new center will bring to the Sechelt community. The Open House not only celebrated a new chapter for WorkBC Centre-Sechelt but also served as a reminder of community collaboration and inclusivity in building an accessible community where everyone can thrive!

Contact WorkBC Centre- Sechelt