The Vera Perlin Society
Address: 40 O’Leary Avenue P.O. Bx 7114, St. John’s NL, A1E 3Y3
| Tel: (709) 739-6017 Email: info@veraperlinsociety.ca Facebook: @Vera Perlin Society Fax: (709) 739-5532 Website: www.veraperlinsociety.ca |
Mandate:
To encourage personal growth, to foster financial independence and to promote community integration of individuals with developmental disabilities. To secure and/or provide quality service and support for all individuals with a developmental disability and their families in the St. John’s and surrounding areas, enabling them to participate in all areas of community living.
Target Population:
Individuals with developmental disabilities aged 18+ in St. John’s and surrounding areas.
Highlights of Programs/Services Offered:
Day Programs:
The Vera Perlin Society offers a variety of day programs that support adults with developmental disabilities in developing life skills, promoting independence, and encouraging social interaction. Programs are delivered in a safe, inclusive environment by trained staff and focus on personal growth, daily living skills, and community involvement to enhance overall well-being.
- The Perlin Centre is a structured day program operated by the Vera Perlin Society for adults 18+ with intellectual disabilities in St. John’s and nearby areas. It promotes personal growth, learning, and community inclusion in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment tailored to each participant’s strengths and interests.
- Summer Respite Recreation Program
Offered during July and August, this inclusive, camp-style program provides individuals without a summer day program the chance to enjoy accessible activities, social connection, and outdoor fun in a supportive environment. - The Perlin Players
A vibrant performance group from the Perlin Centre, known for lip-sync shows and dinner theatre-style productions. They actively engage the community through local events and fundraisers, promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity while making the arts accessible and meaningful for all.
Employment
Recognizing that meaningful employment is essential for personal fulfillment and financial security, the Vera Perlin Society offers specialized employment programs for adults with intellectual disabilities. Their Employment Division provides access to community-based job opportunities through:
- W.O.R.C. (Work Orientation Rehabilitation Centre)
W.O.R.C. is an employment program for adults with intellectual disabilities that matches employer needs with client abilities. It goes beyond job placement by providing ongoing support, training, and problem-solving to build long-term, successful, and positive relationships between employers and employees. The program offers business needs assessment, motivated candidate access, on-the-job training, and personalized support to ensure mutual success.
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Supported Employment Program
This program helps individuals with intellectual disabilities find meaningful, community-based paid employment. It emphasizes quality placements where:-
Work is valuable to the employer
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Employees receive at least minimum wage
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One-on-one support ensures tasks meet employer expectations
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Job matches consider the individual’s interests and abilities
Ongoing support and monitoring are provided to promote success and workplace integration.
Ask ChatGPT -
- Career Education and Exploration (C.E.E.) Program
A pre-employment skills program for adults with intellectual disabilities, offered by the Vera Perlin Society at the College of the North Atlantic (Prince Philip Drive Campus). Running September to June, it provides foundational training in resume writing, job searching, interview preparation, and setting realistic employment goals to prepare participants for the workforce. - The Button Shop
Operated by the Vera Perlin Society’s Employment Division, The Button Shop offers paid employment to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Workers choose full- or part-time schedules and are paid minimum wage for all hours worked. Services include making promotional buttons, magnets, candy cones, t-shirts, hats, and providing office tasks like folding, labelling, and mail preparation. All work is contract-based, supporting skill development and workplace experience.