Our History

Anchor Industries Society (AIS) is a not for profit agency that has served the Bedford, Sackville and Fall River community for over 30 years.

Founded in 1973 by parents and professionals as the Canadian Association For the Mentally Retarded, the goal of the association was to improve the quality of life of those living with intellectual disabilities. The original association established an activity centre that provided both craft and life skills training. The first home of AIS was the Kinsmen Centre in Lower Sackville. As programs evolved, the organization has occupied several other locations throughout the community including the Blackburn Centre and Koppernaes Building. In 1982, the society moved to its current site of 61 Glendale Avenue in Sackville.

It was in 1991 that Anchor Industries Society incorporated. As a not for profit organization, governance is provided by a volunteer board of directors. The focus of AIS  has evolved from it original activity based emphasis to work-oriented training based on individualized programming. Several businesses have been established which offer both training sites and revenue generation.

The first of these diverse businesses to open its doors was The PrintShop in 1974. Additional businesses have developed including The OffShoot Shop, The Ladle Restaurant and All Wrapped Up. Always open to new community ventures, AIS operated The Gavel Café from January 2004 through December 2005.

The AIS Community Employment Program began serving 8 participants in 1987 and has grown to include 40 participants +  in 2004. This program has expanded to include Community Options, Job Readiness and Life Skills training.

Another program offering, the Prevocational Program began in 1988 to serve individuals who would benefit from a higher level of support.

An innovative Youth Employment Project was introduced by the society in 2004 in response to an identified vocational services gap for youth aged 18 to 21 years. Funding from Service Canada afforded the opportunity to serve these youth of the community in a new way. The focus of this program is to offer support to youth with intellectual disabilities in their pursuit of community work placements and paid employment positions. The program was successful and reoffered in 2005.

Beyond employment programming, the society also meets the needs of adults aged 19 years and over with intellectual challenges who choose to not participate in work placements. In 2000, AIS opened a Recreation and Leisure Club, funded by The Department of Community Services of Nova Scotia, which offers daily activities, community outings and special events. Participants with necessary supports are welcome on a full-time, part-time or drop-in basis.

Also in 2000, AIS, in partnership with the Bedford-Sackville Literacy Network, began to offer clients literacy classes that not only improve literacy skills, but also contribute to developing self-confidence, self-esteem and a sense of well-being. This valuable service continues into 2006.

Anchor Industries Society businesses and community programming have outgrown our current location. As such, Anchor Industries Society is currently embarking on a fundraising campaign entitled Building Futures. To continue to offer quality service within our community, our goal is to raise funds necessary to construct a new building on our current site at a cost of $2-million. With the support of the community we serve, we hope to achieve this goal by December 2007.