BEAVER CREEK │ Business is About Community

Healthy Communities =  Community Economic Growth │ Community Economic Growth = Healthy Communities

~

KEY CONCEPTS: holistic business-community development, economic development, healthy communities, mental health

~

Employers in this region of rural Yukon identify the shared dilemma of finding and retaining reliable, skilled employees. The crux of the dilemma according to this employer are core personal and community issues that present barriers to the children and young people achieving the education and social skills they need to pursue employment and life goals.

This employer provides a range of employment and social supports for employees in an effort to ensure employees who are struggling with personal challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, mental health problems, so social-emotional-behavioural issues. This pro-active approach is not only a feature of this employer’s community responsibilities as an organization but also its strategic approach to develop business services.  Simply put, economic stability and growth is at the core of healthy, sustainable communities – and healthy communities are a key factor in supporting economic development. This employer recognizes that both factors must be addressed to support progress both the people and businesses of rural Yukon. This two-pronged approach is part of a comprehensive plan to address many of the issues shared by employers we’ve encountered on this consultation.

This employer talked about the importance of addressing mental health issues, for the whole of the community – noting that most people encounter personal social-emotional challenges at some point in their life. This employer believes that it is important to work towards removing the negative perceptions and stigma associated with mental health and addictions problems. A Yukon Disability Employment Strategy that addresses mental health will support employers efforts to increase communication and, as a result, support for employees and the wider community – aiding efforts to promote healthy communities and community economic development all at once.