The Blue Door

The Cause

The NWT Career Centre is in a position to provide a Diversion-like program to support individuals in gaining skills and/or employment support between the hours of 5 pm -8 pm, Monday-Thursday, while providing a safe space for those choosing not to engage in harm to the community or to themselves. Based on feedback from relevant client groups, there is a demand for access to services beyond the regular “9-5”.

The Blue Door aims to leverage the community relations we have built over the last three years while aligning service access with a clientele that may have limited “positive” choices.

Secondly, once established, we will engage the target group and form a Steering Committee to assist with a community revitalization initiative, namely an Alleyway revitalization between the Diamond Plaza and Precambrian Building.

The NWT Career Centre, administered by CDETNO, is a member in good standing with the Career Development Association of Alberta (CDAA) and Career Professionals of Canada (CPC). Current staff of the NWT Career Centre have a combined total of 20 years of experience within Labour Market and Career Development sectors. We provide a non-judgmental and unburdened support service to those aspiring to become self-sufficient through income-generating employment.

Since 2019, the NWT Career Centre has participated on the ICM – Frontline Working Group, partnered with Clean Sweep, currently piloting a training initiative with the Salvation Army & YWCA, and have extended our client reach to vulnerable populations within Yellowknife, including touchpoints with Probations and Specialized Courts. Over that time, we have also performed direct outreach resulting in a positive reputation amongst various client groups while strengthening trust-based relationships with both women and men experiencing multi-barriers to employment (including criminal records, mental health and addictions, and/or homelessness).

Who Will it Benefit?

The primary client group that will be supported through the Blue Door are individuals experiencing multi-barriers to employment (including criminal records, mental health and addictions, and/or homelessness). Age range will be 16 – 64 years of age and will access the Blue Door voluntarily or by informal referrals through various community service providers.