The Social Development department has gone through system changes that affect everyone. There are job searches for every applicant to bring to their potential employers for them to sign to prove to the Department that you as the applicant are looking for work. As part of the system changes there are also some programs like the Guardian Financial Assistance (GFA), Special Needs and others that have been discontinued.

However the Social Assistance Transfer programs are still in effect. There are also programs like the Family Center, Home Makers, Handyman, Trail Blazers, Aboriginal Head Start and others like the training programs for future prospects that remain.

 

Abby Stewart - Gingolx Village Government Social Development Administrator.

The Social Development Department sent out eight trainees from October 21 to November 9, 2002 to the Northwest Community College (Terrace campus) to develop skills in WCB Falling/Bucking Training, WHMIS and First Aid training (Transportation Endorsement).

The trainees, Alan Stewart, Harry Moore Sr, Keith Smythe, Currie Stewart, Larry Stevens Sr, Don Stevens, Harry Stanley and Tanya Stanley all took part in an excruciating three weeks of training that took the students to a new level of interest in this field of work. The experience of the program brought new insight and friendship to our community and others attending. The community of Kitkatla also received the same training.

Numerous jobs have been developed on behalf of the SA Transfer such as the Trail Blazers (a 12-member crew that has been working since the beginning of September). The workers have been split into two groups and have been cutting trails along the mountainside over-looking Gingolx.

The crew of Alan D Stewart, Graham Watts, Jason Stewart, Gaylene Watts, Phillip Watts, Tanya Stanley, Harry Moore Sr, Emerald Azak, Keith Smythe, Gus Green, under the supervision of Kenny Moore worked diligently to clear the trails to the first, second and third lookouts.

All sites are connected by trails leading from one to the other and have numerous entrances to climb the rugged and steep mountain. They are now in the process of building rails for safety at each lookout site, and a picnic table has been built at the first lookout.

Views from these sites overlook not only the community showing the growth, but the mouth of the Nass River as well.