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About Us
Cosmos Group of Companies supports individuals with disabilities in contributing actively and positively to their communities.
Originally established as Cosmos Enterprises in 1972, this long-standing community agency, renamed to form Cosmos Group of Companies on April 1st, 2009. This group represents Cosmos Community Disability Services Foundation, Cosmos Community Support Services Ltd, and Cosmos Bottle Depots Ltd.
Over the past 4 decades we have evolved from an organization that offered sheltered workshops to a well-respected provider of diverse services including a range of training & employment, volunteer, educational, social, and recreational opportunities.
Cosmos has an excellent reputation as a provincial leader and an integral part of Central Alberta's community enriching the lives of individuals striving for independence. We offer accredited services through the Alberta Council of Disability Services, Commission on Accreditation to individuals living in the Central Alberta area who live with:
- Developmental disabilities,
- Learning difficulties,
- Physical disabilities,
- Mental Health needs,
- Dual diagnosis,
- Complex support needs
- Acquired Brain Injury,
- Sensory impairment,
- Chronic illness,
- Medically fragile,
- Barriers which challenge inclusion
Our clients are treated with the utmost dignity and respect, and are supported in exercising their rights and responsibilities to the fullest extent possible; taking planned risks and in engaging in meaningful and sustainable relationships.
We believe that the people we support are individuals first and foremost, and as such they should be able to pursue personal interests and enjoy a lifestyle unique to their values and choices.
We believe in being proactive about meeting the needs, wishes, and aspirations of those we support offering individually-tailored services that embrace an individuals' unique talents, dreams and aspirations.
We aim to facilitate, rather than prescribe, support and services, encouraging those we support to take a leading role in determining how their support is planned and delivered.
We aim to offer diverse services that are flexible and responsive to those we support, seeking creative and alternative methods of delivering services.
We believe in fostering a culture of integrity and respect that empowers persons with a disability to exercise their rights and responsibilities.
We are committed to collaborating with significant stakeholders to demonstrate a pro-active approach to addressing issues
We believe in "Creating Communities" that recognize the individual and collective value & contributions made by persons with a disability in our community.
We are committed to using"Best Practice" to monitor the effectiveness of our services.
Krish Krishnaswamy- Past President
Kim Skibsted - Vice President
Ed Primas - Secretary / Treasurer
Judy Lynch - Director
Brian Brandon - Director
Sandy Stang - Director
Diane Assinger- Director
Cosmos would like to recognize the visionary support and contributions made by our funders:
Alberta Employment & Immigration
Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Central Community Board
Alberta Seniors & Community Supports
Building the Foundations
Looking for a Challenging Career?
Building the Foundations is a newly awarded partnership opportunity with Alberta Employment & Immigration which offers essential training and professional development to new and existing direct service staff working in the Community Disability Services sector.
This leading edge and innovative project will set the benchmark for credentialed training and professional recognition within our sector, and will provide the essential core training of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required in the Community Disability Services sector.
Graduates from this 15-week course will receive the Foundations in Community Disability Studies Certificate, credentialed through the Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS). Foundations offers stream-lined transition into further academic programs offered at post-secondary institutions in Alberta. Learners can expect to receive between 9-13 advanced credits towards further education.
In addition to the core Foundations curriculum, we will provide 3 additional training components that Community Disability Services employers recognize as being essential skills and underpinning knowledge.
You will have the opportunity to work in service provider agencies as part of your course, and if you are looking for employment, we will work with you to gain a meaningful, competitive, and sustainable role as a Community Disability Services professional.
Building the Foundations is open to all Albertans who are unemployed, under-employed, or marginally employed wishing to make the Community Disability Services sector a "Career of Choice".
For more information, or to register please contact Bonnie Vestrum, Program Manager on (403) 343-0715 ext.259 or email: foundations@cosmosreddeer.org
Community Options
The focus of this program is to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to create meaningful and sustainable community connections in relation to their educational, recreational, leisure, and volunteering interests.
The program has several community partnerships to promote volunteering. Our largest volunteer contract supports over 150 volunteer hours a week to provide essential services within the Alberta Health Services. Our clients contributed over 13200 hours of volunteer time to the community in 2008.
In addition to providing volunteer support services, the Community Options program offers both skilled-based sessions for individuals and groups, and community connections for individuals who need assistance to develop a transitional natural support networks.
This progressive program works to meet the diverse needs of persons with a developmental disability and as such we offer bespoke services to those with complex needs, and behaviours that challenge services.
The Doing Things Creatively (DTC) Club offers opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to move away from paid supports and participate in the community with peer and natural supports. It is a progressive step from our main Community Options program.
Adaptive Recreation & Volunteering (ARV) is another sub-program of Community Options that focuses on the aging population and offers modified recreational, educational, and volunteering opportunities to reflect the unique support needs of older individuals and those with increased mobility support needs.
For more information on our program or to arrange a referral, please contact Joanne Marcotte on (403) 343-0715 ext.250 or email: joanne.marcotte@cosmosreddeer.org
Bottle Depot
Where Recycling Supports Our Citizens with Disabilities
What type of containers are refundable?
All "ready-to-serve" beverage containers sold in Alberta may be returned to the bottle depot. There are over 50,000 different beverage container products registered in Alberta.
- Plastic Drink Bottles - water bottles and soft drink bottles
- Milk & Liquid cream containers
- Plastic Jugs, poly cups & bottles
- Aluminum cans
- Polycoat containers - drink boxes, juice boxes, milk, cream, rice and soy drink cartons
- Bag-in-the-Box & Juice Pouches
- Glass Bottles - clear and colored wine, juice and beer containers
- Other Metal Cans - metal containers other than aluminum ranging from small single serving tines to large tomato and juice cans
Note: Food containers are not part of the Alberta collection system and containers from outside Alberta are not eligible for refund.
Tips for Faster Service...
- Take caps off - caps & lids do not mix with container materials during the recycling process.For Bag-in-the-box containers, please leave the bag in the box.
- Give containers a quick rinse - for health and sanitation reasons containers (especially milk) should be rinsed with cold water.
- Pre-sort and count
- Leave tabs on
- Leave labels on and Do Not Crush
- Avoid the busy times - please note that Saturday and Monday are the busiest times at the depots.
What are Container Deposits?
1 litre & less: .10 cents
Over 1 litre: .25 cents
Beer Bottles & Cans, 1 litre & less: .10 cents
Beer bottles & Cans over 1 litre: .25 cents
Recycling Trivia
Did you know?
- In 6-8 weeks from bringing a can to the depot, you're touching the same aluminum in a new can!
- In 2008, over 11,000 tonnes of material was diverted from Alberta landfills
- A can made of recycled aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to make cans from ore!
- Glass is non-degradable and remains in landfills for millions of years!
- When recycled glass is crushed for use in fiberglass insulation and glass spheres are added to road paint for reflectivity.
- Plastic containers are shredded and made into a fibre used to make fleece jackets, and vests
- Refillable glass containers are returned to the manufacturer for refilling on average 14 times!
- Drink boxes is used in the manufacture of cardboard boxes and tubes.
- Metal cans are baled and melted down to be turned into scrap metal , car parts and rebar.
- Gable top & Bag-in-a-box are made into napkins and corrugate
COSMOS I HOURS OF OPERATION: MAP IT!
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 8am - 5pm
Thursday, Friday: 8am - 7pm
COSMOS II HOURS OF OPERATION: MAP IT!
Monday - Saturday: 9:30am - 5:30pm
CONTACT US!
If you would like additional information, please direct all general
inquiries to: cosmos@cosmosreddeer.org
Office Location: Map it!
#1, 7428 - 49 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4P 1M2
Phone: (403) 343-0715 - Fax: (403) 347-6969 - E-mail: cosmos@cosmosreddeer.org
Cosmos I Bottle Depot: Map it!
#4, 7428 - 49 Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4P 1M2
Phone (403) 342-2034
Cosmos II Bottle Depot: Map it!
6332 Orr Drive, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4P 3T7
Phone (403) 309-8642
Get Involved
Volunteering @ Cosmos
People volunteer for different reasons - trying out a new vocation, using their skills, sharing their interests, re-gaining confidence in the workplace or just having fun. We welcome opportunities to connect with the community and individuals who may wish to share their talents with the people we support.
Volunteers can play a number of roles within our organization including helping to transport clients to community facilities, teaching or sharing unique skills & hobbies, or supporting fundraising events.
Community Fundraising
Fundraising in the community brings enormous benefits to the people we support and enables us to invest in our programs, services, and resources. This helps to raise vital funds as well as awareness of our work.
Sponsorship, whether it is to run a marathon, do a sky dive or host a Casino Night, can be a great and fun way to raise money. Donations to support our general fundraising are welcome, or donors can choose to direct their gift to benefit a specific project or service.
We are very grateful to companies, community groups and individual community members for their generous support; each and every donation, whatever its size, is very much appreciated. Voluntary income donations are spent on new projects, resources, and services which are not covered by funding.
Corporate Support
Many businesses, large and small, are becoming more conscious of their "corporate social responsibility" and are keen to support good causes; often those that are local to where they operate.
We welcome not only financial donations, but also support from groups of employees who may wish to give their time and energy to help with specific projects; or bring unique opportunities to some of the people we support, and to create community partners.
We would be happy to provide a tax deductable receipt for your donation, upon request.
For more information on how you can make a difference please contact: Lynda Olson, Executive Director at (403) 343-0715 or email: lynda.olson@cosmosreddeer.orgBottom of Form
What's New at Cosmos!
Building the Foundations:
Following the successful launch of the first intake, we are well into our second course intake. The program?started on July 5th and will run until the 15th of October. This innovative program equips candidates with the training and skills necessary to work in the sector, provides work-based experience and job placement opportunities. For more information or to register, please contact?Debra Kettle, Career Coach at (403) 343-0715 or email: foundations@cosmosreddeer.org.
Follow Us On...
We have joined the social media revolution and turned word of mouth into "world of mouth"! You can now follow us on your favourite social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, and Ning. It's a great way to keep up-to-date on what's happening, with opportunities to post messages, share videos and join discussion forums. Join a group and become a fan today!
Welcome to Cosmos Advertising Specialties!
For over 20 years we have been helping businesses and organizations promote their company name and enhance their corporate image with innovative, high quality promotional products. We offer a full range of specialty products - from clothing and wearable items, flash drives and magnets, travel mugs to pens, watches and much more.
What are Advertising Specialties?
Advertising Specialties are promotional products that are useful and/or symbolic with a practical end-use that is offered as advertising; as a communication tool, goodwill and/or incentives for employees. Advertising Specialties can be used to advertise a message or a company logo to help promote a company or its products. Logos can be imprinted on thousands of items found in our product catalogue.
How Do I Order?
There are two easy ways to order:
1. Online ordering
To view our catalogue and order online click here (link to http://cosmos.promocan.com/products.htm
2. Call or come see us in person
Didn't see what you want? We have thousands of choices beyond those shown online, and would be happy to visit you in person with full color catalogues or sample products.
Or, call us and give the parameters of what you need, and let us do the legwork. We'll get back to you with a number of options to fit your budget.
MAP IT!
Call Mac Tweten at Cosmos Advertising Specialties
#1-7428-49th Avenue Red Deer, AB T4P 1M2 PH. 403-343-0715 Fax 403-347-6969 Email mac.tweten@cosmosreddeer.orgThank you for choosing Cosmos Advertising Specialties which supports our citizens with disabilities in and around Red Deer, AB.
Hotel, Tourism & Retail Program
The HT&R program provides pre-employment training and employment supports to individuals wishing to enter the Hotel, Tourism, or Retail industries.
Funded by Alberta Employment & Immigration, the program works in partnership with the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council (CTHRC) to deliver the E-Merit Tourism Essentials Certificate; enabling clients to enter the work force with an industry recognized qualification.
This program has been very successful in supporting individuals with disabilities and/or barriers, including youth and aboriginal persons, to gain sustainable, competitive employment. This project is no longer accepting new clients.
Volunteer and Community Supports Services
The aim of the Volunteer and Community Supports Services program (VCSS) is to promote personal aspirations, wellness, and community involvement through facilitating opportunities to volunteer.
The program offers individual and group volunteer supports, and recreation opportunities to individuals living with:
- Acquired Brain Injury
- Mental health needs
- Chronic illness
- Sensory impairment
- Physical disability
We take a holistic approach to assessing the skills, talents, and interests of those wishing to volunteer. This ensures that placements meet the expectations of our clients and provide a valuable, sustainable service to the community.
As part of the preparation for placements, clients can attend workshops designed to facilitate:
- Understanding the volunteer roles and responsibilities
- Overcoming personal challenges to participation
- Interpersonal skill development in communication, problem-solving, self-advocacy, and
- Practical skill development
Volunteers are also offered practical on-site support to adjust to their volunteer environment. This program supports individuals with an aim to gradually fade paid supports so that clients can be independent in their community. Volunteers can participate in addition to their employment situation, as an alternative to employment, or to gain skills that may lead to employment.
While our services are designed to enable individual development, the VCSS program serves to benefit the wider community in providing skilled and talented volunteers, supporting local economic growth, and in celebrating the diversity of our community.
For more information on how to volunteer in your community please call Cosmos on (403) 343-0715 or email: cosmos@cosmosreddeer.org
Employment Access
The EA team offer employment supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their employers including:
- Job Coaching: resume development, job search and market research skills, interview skills and creative job development
- Job Tours / Job Shadow: touring community businesses in areas of interest to the individual and observing roles of employees
- Work Experience: time-limited work placement designed to develop skills and further refine employment goals
- Job Match: matching individual interests and employer needs; job-carving roles
- Educational Support: identifying needs and assisting with the preparation for further training with the ultimate goal of employment
- On-the-job training: identifying, developing and facilitating ongoing training requirements
- Personal Adjustment Support: assisting with transition skills required for gaining and maintaining employment
- Follow-Up Support: providing ongoing support as needed to promote growth in the workplace
Our Employment Consultants offer a support framework for both the employee and their employer, and have strong connections to community businesses and employers.
Where necessary we will provide initial on-site support to clients who are adjusting to their new place of employment and role, with an aim to gradually fade out.
For further information or to meet with one of our Employment Consultants, please call (403) 341-2363 or email us at: ea@cosmosreddeer.org
Computer Learning Centre
Want to learn how to use a computer?
The Computer Learning Centre offers FREE computer literacy training to individuals with a disability; providing hands-on learning in an accessible environment.
We offer a variety of services including drop-in sessions for internet and personal use where individuals can enhance or develop computer skills and expand their knowledge of computer technology.
Training sessions and workshops are offered on both a group and 1:1 basis and cover a range of topics from basic computer literacy skills such as Working with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to more advanced applications.
CLC Drop-In Schedule
Tuesday: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Thursday: 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 10:30am & 2:00pm - 4:00pm
To avoid disappointment, we ask that you pre-register for workshops. Unregistered persons will be asked to register for the next session.
For more information, or to register contact the CLC Facilitator at (403) 343-0715 ext. 248 or email: computer.learning.centre@cosmosreddeer.org
Interactive Workshops
Our Interactive Workshops focus on personal development and skill-building aimed at empowering self-advocacy, independence and confidence for individuals living with a disability or barrier to inclusion.
Workshop topics include:
- Work Abilities
- Employer Expectations
- Stress Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Communication
- Health and Well-being
- Banking & Budgeting
- Grief & Loss
- Sexuality, Relationships & Consent
- Women's Health & Menopause
Workshops are facilitated in groups of 4 or more and are delivered using interactive tools, materials, and approaches which are engaging and innovative.
Where possible we aim to have participants with common interests, from different backgrounds and abilities to allow the opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and solutions with other participants.
For more information or to register for one of our workshops, please contact the Workshop Facilitator on (403) 343-0715 ext.225 or email: workshops@cosmosreddeer.org.
Links
This is a pre-employment program supports individuals with developmental disabilities to gain the skills, knowledge, and training to enter the workforce. This program is designed to increase the individuals' transferrable skills, preparing them for competitive paid employment.
Links focuses on all aspects of employment readiness skills and in supporting individuals to develop successful strategies in respect of their own barriers to employment.
LINKS participants receive supports in the following areas:
- Employment-based Workshops
- Resume writing
- Employment strategies
- Personal adjustment supports
- On-site support
- Bus & Community Awareness training
In addition to this, Links was modified in 2009 to incorporate a work experience component for individuals who have never had employment or volunteering experience. This allows individuals to reflect practical experience on their resumes through participation in 2 work-experience placements within for-profit companies.
For further information or to meet with our LINKS Facilitator, please call (403) 341-2363 or email us at: employment.access@cosmosreddeer.org.
J.U.S.T (Judging Understanding Sensitivity Tolerance)
This self-advocacy group serves to empower individuals with disabilities to share their experiences of living with a disability.
The focus of the program is to increase disability awareness in the community and to create inclusive communities that recognize the individual and collective contribution and value of individuals with a disability.
In addition to delivering a range of grade level appropriate school presentations, JUST members also speak to businesses and community groups promoting acceptance and anti-bullying beliefs, attitudes, and practices.
J.U.S.T delivered presentations to 2280 community patrons in 2009.
For more information on how to become a presenter or to book your presentation, call Joanne Marcotte, JUST Facilitator on (403) 343-0715 ext. 222 or e-mail: just@cosmosreddeer.org
Dream Catchers Toastmasters Club
What is a Toastmasters Club?
Toastmasters Clubs allow people to learn the art of communication: speaking and listening. A Toastmasters club is a safe place to practice giving prepared and impromptu speeches. The meetings are structured to allow people to receive gentle and constructive feedback on their public speaking practices.
How is Dream Catchers Toastmasters Club unique?
The Dream Catchers Club is unique in that it is the first officially chartered Toastmasters International club to be founded by individuals with disabilities. This club has received global recognition in the Toastmasters Communities and has been highlighted in disability media publications such as the PDD Central Region's Newsletter.
Members can be accompanied by their support staff in order to receive assistance in completing meeting tasks. Many of the Toastmasters Club members use their public speaking skills to train to become J.U.S.T. Facilitators.
Club membership is not limited to people with disabilities. Everyone is welcome to join.
What are the benefits of belonging to a Toastmasters Club?
You will have the chance to improve your communication skills and increase your self confidence. As a member of the Dream Catchers Toastmasters Club, you will have the opportunities offered to all Toastmasters clubs through Toastmasters International.
You will have the privilege of attending other Toastmasters Club meetings worldwide. You will be able to advance your standing within the club by completing a variety of specified speeches. You will also have the opportunity to receive special pins and ribbons for your achievements.
Become Involved
Meetings are held on Thursday afternoons from 1:15pm - 2:45pm in the Cosmos Board Room; wheelchair accessibility available.
For more information, or to join please call Lindsay Henley, Toastmasters Facilitator on (403) 343-0715 ext.222 or email: dreamcatcherstm@cosmosreddeer.org