Employment Development Centers (EDCs)
The Employment Development Centres comprises of specific services for adults with intellectual disabilities, aged 18 years and above. The core focus of the services are to promote the social and economic integration of these adults into gainful mainstream activities, so as to enable them to lead a meaningful life independently.
The EDC's caters to individuals who are independent in their daily living skills of self-maintenance, such as personal hygiene, grooming etc. The activities of the EDC's are geared towards programs that empower the vocational ability of the intellectually disabled.
The 3 EDC's are
- MINDS - Woodlands Employment Development Centre
- SIA-MINDS Employment Development Centre
- MINDS - Idea Employment Development Centre
Contributers to Society
The Employment Development Centers continuously seek to increase their diversity of contract work, in-house industries, social enterprises and job placements into open employment for persons with intellectual disability. These efforts go towards income for the trainees to pay for their own transport, food and leisure. But more importantly, with jobs to do, persons with intellectual disability can hold their head high in society as ‘contributors'.
Currently, MINDS has been contracted to recycle headsets for SIA, Quantas, Air India , Emirates, Air New Zealand and United Airlines. Corporate partnership with Merrill Lynch and BP Singapore saw the birth of a ‘car-wash' social enterprise. Standard Chartered put dollars behind their community commitment to launch a thrift shop at the Hougang Community Club. 7-Eleven created a simulated ‘stall' within one of the EDCs for trainees to learn the skills of packing, stacking, stocking, and counting money – to enhance their employability.
The Drum Troupes are highly sought after by corporations and organizations to grace significant events, such as their opening ceremonies. For a reasonable fee, the trainees are able to display their talents and finance their ongoing development. There is no shortage of creativity and talents. Trainees are able to weave art pieces out of threads with the intricate saori weaver, create seasonal cards, souvenir crafts for display, bookmarks, etc for the commercial market out of recycled papers, dried flowers, ice-cream sticks, you name it. Again, income from the sale of these products goes toward raising the dignity and quality of life for persons with intellectual disability.
