INTRODUCTION

• Provide Blacks and racialized individuals—especially those with mental health disabilities with employment training, work placements, and employer support.

• Address systemic workforce barriers, such as credential recognition, workplace discrimination, and accessibility challenges. 

• Offer mental health resources to support job retention, career growth, and work-life balance.

Key Activities & Methods:
 

• Personalized Career Training: Resume writing, interview preparation, and job readiness workshops.

• Employer Partnerships & Work Placements: Connecting participants with industry leaders for hands-on work experience.

• Mental Health & Peer Support: Culturally competent counseling, mentorship, and personal development sessions.

• Technology & Business Skills Development: Computer boot camps, entrepreneurship training, and digital literacy enhancement.  

• Mental Health & Personal Development Success

CABHSP recognizes the critical role mental health plays in employment success. Our programs break the stigma around mental health by incorporating:

• Culturally Competent Counseling Services

• Psycho-Social Training & Resilience Building

• Community Engagement & Team Building

Entrepreneurship & Educational Advancement

CABHSP fosters self-sufficiency by encouraging entrepreneurship and continued education.

• Entrepreneurial Coaching & Financial Literacy: Training in business planning, marketing, and financial management.

• Educational Pathways for Career Growth

• Support for Senior Workers & Career Transitions

• Older adults are successfully re-entering the workforce through customized job placements and career coaching.

Lessons Learned & Challenges Addressed:

📌 Employment Barriers: Many participants struggled with credential recognition, employer bias, and accessibility issues. CABHSP responded by advocating for policy inclusion and employer awareness.
 

📌 Financial & Social Challenges: Childcare constraints, transportation issues, and financial instability impacted many participants. Our team provided subsidies, stipends, and remote work options to mitigate these challenges.
 

📌 Mental Health & Workplace Confidence: Many individuals lacked self-confidence due to past employment discrimination. Through coaching, mentorship, and group counseling, participants regained confidence and workplace resilience.

What’s Next?

CABHSP aims to:

🔹 Expand employer partnerships to create more inclusive hiring opportunities.

🔹 Enhance mental health training programs to further support workforce reintegration.

🔹 Advocate for workplace equity through policy engagement and employer education.

V. Project Partners & Stakeholders

CABHSP’s success is built on collaborative efforts with government agencies, businesses, and community organizations.

• Canadian Imperial College: Workforce training, job placements, and certifications.
   
• Disability Empowerment Foundation (DEF): Career development for individuals with disabilities.
   
• Canadian Imperial Advantage: Financial literacy and small business mentorship.
   
• Public Health Agencies: Mental health awareness, wellness programs, and healthcare support.

• Employer Partners: Hosting work experience placements and providing full-time job opportunities.

• Black Business Edmonton (BBE): Strengthening community and economic growth through networking and business development. 

• Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (BCRSP): Sets certification standards for the occupational health and safety profession.

Acknowledgments

• The past project was fully funded Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Looking Ahead:

CABHSP remains committed to:

• Expanding employment opportunities for Blacks and racialized workers.
• Advocating for inclusive hiring practices and employer awareness.
• Empowering marginalized individuals to achieve economic stability and career success.