The Winnipeg kitchen is a beehive of activity. Four hundred meals are being cooked and catered by a crew of eight and one staff member. Mounds of potatoes, kilos of coleslaw and litres of gravy are being prepared. The sight would not be out of place in any high-end eatery in Winnipeg. At The Salvation Army's Community Venture kitchen on Logan Avenue, however, the workers are all intellectually disabled. But that hasn't stopped them from maintaining a standard of excellence. “The meals are prepared on time and on budget, not a detail out of place and the kitchen is spotless,” says Natalie Dobrowolski, the director. “This is why our services are in such demand.”

Community Venture was the creation of three social workers who were concerned that many intellectually disabled adults were being released from their residences during the day—as was the custom at the time—unsupervised, uncared for and limited in their capacity to make good decisions for themselves. So they started a drop-in centre in their government facility.

But something more formal needed to be put in place. In 1986, the social workers and Manitoba's family services and housing department approached the Army and asked them to oversee the project. “And, thank goodness, the Army jumped at the opportunity,” says Natalie.

From modest beginnings—a staff of four supporting 16 intellectually disabled adults—Community Venture has grown to a staff of 110 supporting more than 200 members. It operates programs throughout the city and supports a number of members in community-based volunteer and vocational-experience settings.

“One group puts together meals for the homeless,” reports Natalie. Community Venture members work at animal shelters, assisting with feeding, grooming and bathing. They volunteer at museums and thrift stores, and do office work such as mailing and filing. “Our members are always busy in the community.”

There is a waiting list to be placed into Community Venture and demand for their services is high. “Our growth wasn't planned,” says Natalie. “We grew to meet a need.”

Chapel and Bible study sessions are encouraged but not mandated. “Many of our staff are Christians active in the Church, and our members are comfortable with that,” says Natalie. “And they've always been open and grateful to those Salvation Army officers who interact with them.”

Community Venture has opened a sixth location for day programs in the city this past August, and they are already looking at two more locations as part of a municipal plan to expand such services rather than bus people to faraway centres.

“Bigger is not always better,” states Natalie, “but it's difficult to say no to a mother as she sits across from you and talks about the hopes she has for her child and the expectations she has for our program.

“It's hard work, but what a joy it is to provide a safe and caring environment where friendships bloom and independent life skills are honed.

“When we started over 20 years ago, I often thought: Wouldn't it be wonderful if Community Venture eventually became a full-spectrum program providing not only day services, but residential services, leisure and recreational outreach services? We've made the dream a reality!”

In Their Own Words
“I like Community Venture because the staff listen to me and we have lots of fun,” says Loraley. “We do serious work, too! I help at the food bank and at animal services. I also like to help out in the kitchen cooking for the Urban Café, the outreach ministry that feeds 400 to 600 people weekly. This is a great place to be.”

“Sandy loves being with people,” states her sister, Marilyn. “She wanted the chance to interact and show everyone her abilities in life and not her disabilities. Community Venture has provided this and more. Sandy has been given a sense of worth and dignity and has achieved a more fulfilling, productive and independent life.”

Top photo: Members of the kitchen crew prepare meals for a catering contract; below: Natalie Dobrowolski and Loraley display one of her creations