An update List of the Events at Rockin’ the Arlington Bridge 2012, Friday May 25 & Saturday May 26 a Festival and Fund raiser for SSCOPE and mental health is available Here.  Performance Times for both days included.  For more information call 987-6300 or email: sscope@sscope.org

Mike Madeire (l) and Yvette Chartrand (r) both seniior SSCOPE employee-members showing off our first ever Department of Health licence for Food Services at SSCOPE

 It’s official.  SSCOPE is now in the Food Services business.  After several weeks of diligent work by all SSCOPE staff retrofitting the Mobile Unit, with special thanks to Mike Madeire for his tireless work, and with the support of various community businesses who donated their time and materials.  SSCOPE is now, as of 10:00 am on May 16, licenced to create employment and serve great food, in the Food Services business.  Our first Food Business venture is our Mobile Food Unit.  Over 15 new jobs per payroll or more are expected to be created, adding to our present 50-55 jobs per payroll. 

A full list of community supporters and business sponsors/partners to be published here shortly so we’re sure we don’t miss anyone who strongly believes in what SSCOPE is doing for mental health in this community.  Come out May 25 and May 26 to our Fund raising Festival and Street Party at 1466 Arlington St (at Magnus) and enjoy some fine food from SSCOPE’s new Mobile Food Unit and enjoy great music both days.

We hope you’ll see us around and about from now on, and you’ll come up to say hello to our staff and enjoy the fine food they serve you!

Go North for SSCOPE's Rockin' the Bridge on May 26 at 1466 Arlington St.

 It keeps getting better for Rockin’ the Bridge 2012 for SSCOPE and Mental Health.  We’ve confirmed our Friday night May 25th acts now with country singer Stu Porteous at 7:00 pm and Mike J.T. Melnyk and The Flip Cats with a rockabilly set at 8:00 pm.  Saturday is set for two stages and nearly twenty performers in total both days.

View the latest news release and Set Times Here.

Come on out for equal parts of Fun and Frolic and Fund Raising for SSCOPE and Mental Health.

Kyla Cederwall performing prior to the start of the SSCOPE Media and Public Event on May 11. Kyla and her band, along with Mark David Stollard, who performed after the event, will be back on May 25& 26 at Rockin' the Bridge for SSCOPE and Mental Health

SSCOPE Inc. announced it’s entry into the Foods Services business and the creation of a new social enterprise for the organization, on Friday May 11 as part of a Funder and Supporter Recognition Event in conjunction with Mental Health Week. Rick Frost, CEO, of Winnipeg Foundation was the keynote speaker.   Representatives of most major donours and funders in Winnipeg were in attendance to be thanked by SSCOPE employee members and volunteers for their support SSCOPE’s programs.

SSCOPE’s first entry into Food Services will be a Mobile Food Unit that will allow SSCOPE to bring the food to where the customers are located and where the demand is.

SSCOPE also announced the start of its 2012-13 funding campaign with a goal of $185,000.  One part of the campaign will be to raise $25,000 or more to create a Legacy Fund for the future operations of the organization, which will be matched by the Winnipeg Foundation.

View the News Release Announcements and The List of Supporters Recognized Here:

View the Background Papers on Mental Health and Employment Here (Importance of Work) Here (Hiring Those With a Mental Illness) and Here (Mental Health for All)

Here’s the link for the May 5th Winnipeg Free Press coverage about Rockin’ the Bridge Street Party and Festival 2012 for SSCOPE and mental health.  A detail schedule of events and performance time will be published on this website and SSCOPE’s Facebook page on May 11.  Take note: the Celebrity Look Alike Contest and the Pulp Fiction Jack Rabbit Slims Twist contest redux will take place mid afternoon, the 5k Walk/Run/Bike fund raiser for mental health and SSCOPE will start at 9:30 am from 1466 Arlington St.  Live Music starts at 11:00 am with the last performance starting at approximately 9:00.  Just added to the performance lineup is Greg Crowe and The Scarlet Union.

You can view the latest Rockin’ the Arlington Bridge news release in pdf doc form by clicking HERE

With two Music Stages, a full Thrift Store, many related events and fun all day, our third year is shaping up to be the best ever.  Even before it happens, we need to thank all the Manitoba Musicians and Performers who are coming on their own time and dime to support SSCOPE and our cause of helping people cope and recover from mental health problems by providing meaningful employment options.  Wonderful support. Thank you!

In 2011 we received 145 new applications for employment, while already employing 150 individuals over the year.  The need is real.  We ask for your support by coming out on Saturday May 26 and joining with us at our Rockin’ the Bridge 2012 Festival and Street Party for fun, frolic and most importantly for mental health and SSCOPE’s continued development to serve the need better.

Update:  Since the news release, we’ve had a cancellation from Azariah Paris because of a job move, however, we added Greg Crowe and The Scarlet Union at the same time.

News Conference at SSCOPE, 1466 Arlington St on Friday May 11, at the Noon hour, with performances by Kyla Cederwall at 11:50 am and Mark David Stollard at 12:45 pm.  Special guests including Rick Frost CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation.  Special Announcements. Special Food samplers.  Employee Member meeting at 1:15 pm, BBQ mid afternoon and more!.  Watch our Facebook page,  and our website for more details.  Call 987-6300

Playing May 26th at 4;00 pm at SSCOPE's Rockin' the Bridge and May 11 at 11:45 pm

Watch this up and coming Manitoba singer play at Rockin’ the Bridge at 1466 Arlington on Saturday May 26 at 4:00 pm with her band.  Or join us Friday May 11 at 11:45 at the SSCOPE Stage to see her do an acoustic set as we announce all the Performers for our May 26 Festival at a Media Conference and hold a Donour Recognition Thank You event.

From Kyla’s bio:

Go North for SSCOPE's Rockin' the Bridge on May 26 at 1466 Arlington St.

It’s official, Saturday May 26 will be SSCOPE’s now third annual Festival and Fund Raiser in support of our programs to create real employment for those with mental health difficulties. to help in their coping and recovery process.

Our initial list of performers, many of whom are returning for their third year in a row, others are new and helping us raise the bar in performances,  and the day’s events is available HERE.

For more information email SSCOPE at sscope@sscope.org  or call 987-6300.

Come out and “get NorthEnded” on May 26 and let’s Rock the (Arlington) Bridge all day at 1466 Arlington for mental health!

SSCOPE’s Treasures Thrift store at 1466 Arlington St. (between Burrows and Magnus Avenues) will open on Saturdays from 10-2 pm beginning this Saturday March 30th.  Friday night shopping is already available to 10:00 pm on the fourth Friday of every month along with great music (except for March with the date being March 30th-note the promo for The Kicker and Matt Koop elsewhere).

Donours have been asking for another day on which to bring down valuable donations to the store and many shoppers who work all week want a weekend day to shop, said Lan Hong, SSCOPE’s acting retail manager.   We will also keep increasing our promotions for shoppers she said.  Currently we have Dollar Daze for books on Wednesday (3 for $1.00) and $1.00 for all clothing all day Friday

The store is firstly about more employment and training for our members, said Bob Rempel, Executive Director, but we increasingly recognize it has become an important destination for all thrift store shoppers and greadually becoming more of a community place, our goal, so it made sense to increase the hours we are open.

Read all about SSCOPE’s progress in 2011 and plans for 2012 in the latest newsletter out now, thanks to our Communications and Public Affairs volunteers. 

View SSCOPE’s Spring 2012 Newsletter Here.

(excerpt from our March 23rd news release available here)

SSCOPE’s Treasures Thrift Store Performance Stage: An Intimate Musical Evening Series…for mental health and SSCOPE—–

Friday March 30 at 1466 Arlington St.

performing: “The Kicker” with Mike Koop at 8:15 pm.  Preview The Kicker in video here

SSCOPE is holding its regular monthly “An Intimate Musical Evening with….for Mental Health and SSCOPE” series of events next Friday March 30th. Performing live will be The Kicker with Mike Koop at 8:15 pm, with their unique brand of power-pop. Admission is by donation, with food and snacks available. Open Mic at the Treasures Stage is available from 1:00 pm to 7:45 pm

The event will kick off SSCOPE’s Spring Cleanup yard work in April in the community, with homeowners, businesses and organizations encouraged to hire SSCOPE’s members for this job to help support our mission of providing real work…real jobs to those with mental health problems who otherwise would not be working. “Our standards are as high as others, our leaders are well qualified and our employee base wants and needs more work, said Bob Rempel, Executive Director. Call SSCOPE at 987-6302 to get the process started. Summer Lawn Maintenance services for May through September are also ready to be booked.

SSCOPE has also announced that it has set Saturday May 26 for it’s annual “let’s get the summer started” Rockin’ the Bridge music and street festival and public awareness day, for indoors and outdoors at 1466 Arlington St.

Already booked to perform to support SSCOPE and mental health on the 26^th are: Azariah Paris, Garth German and the Biiver Band, D.B. Blues Band, The B-Side Apostles, Mercy-Mercy, The Davis Brothers, and The Shoulds, said Bob Rempel, many returning from last year, and we are now welcoming other new performers as well.

Ten of SSCOPE staff gather for a quick minute after completing work at the St. Boniface City Hall and Court House properties on Friday morning March 2nd.

In the first year of a 3 year contract with the City of Winnipeg for snow shoveling services at 40 major City public properties, including City Hall, SSCOPE employees faced their biggest challenge on Friday March 2nd when the largest snowfall of this season hit.  Many worked their longest days (and nights) of the winter on Friday and Saturday, but by Monday morning, about 8 am it was back to business as usual for these properties.  

SSCOPE employees, all with mental health problems that requires them to work within a highly supportive and developmental environment, want to sincerely thank Mayor Sam Katz, and Council, plus all the City of Winnipeg staff for their courageous and socially responsbile move in awarding SSCOPE this closed bid contract, in what has become a true “game changer” for the organization.

Over 25 staff, many new hires have worked on the contract, earning overnight shift premiums and more steady employment as a result of the contract.  Many have commented on the feeling of self satisfaction the job has given them.  “We doing important stuff”, one said to their leader after a long shift at City Hall.

Our goal at SSCOPE is to always let you the customer conclude after hiring us: “Quality work…Social benefits…a true win-win.”

 SSCOPE is presently expanding its Board of Directors from 7 members to 11 and is recruiting new Board members for an exciting volunteer opportunity to lead a growth oriented non profit with ever increasing demands on its resources. The following text is from an upcoming published Ad for Board member recruitment

Board of Directors needed

SSCOPE Inc is seeking new board members who will serve a minimum two year term. The members of the Board meet monthly and are based in Winnipeg. This is a great opportunity to build experience in a governance role, build solid relationships within the community, and garner an excellent reference for future use.

Role

• Serve as a member of a collegial body that will guide, develop and strategically plan for SSCOPE.
• Provide technical input, advice and guidance on projects and act as a sounding board on potential issues.
• Raise the profile of the SSCOPE externally, liaise with and build relationships with the community and partnership businesses.

Qualifications

• Excellent strategic and analytical thinking skills combined with a practical and altruistic mindset, and a strong interest in serving the community.
• Team player with personal impact and superior communication skills, able to work effectively with a broadly based peer group and represent the organization effectively.
• Community leaders, professionals, educators, and individuals of all backgrounds will be assessed on their work experience, community involvement and what they can bring to the board of directors.

How to apply

Please reply to Bob Rempel at bob@sscope.org to receive an application for the current Boards approval.

For more information on the organization please refer to http://www.sscope.org/

Treasures by SSCOPE retail is expanding its Music and Video Department and is asking for the community to search for all types of musical and video equipment and recordings you have stashed away that will help SSCOPE  in our work to create more employment and programs for those with mental health issues. Pickups of a large quantity of donations can be arranged by contacting us by email at sscope@sscope.org or by phone to 987-6302. 

We will make special arrangements and provide donation receipts to pickup on Estate house clear outs, as well as accept vehicles and boats, property and securities for donations.  Please call our Director at 987-6302 for donations valued at over $1000.00

We sincerely appreciate your support of our programs and ongoing developments at SSCOPE.