Cosmopolitan Industries closes its doors

Cosmopolitan Industries closed its doors across Saskatoon on Wednesday.

The special needs organization that provides workplace training and opportunities for adults with intellectual challenges made the decision to follow social distancing practices and recommendations from health officials to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

All three of its satellite locations — at Market Mall, Acadia Drive and Arlington — were closed alongside the main office on Alberta Avenue.

The closures puts a stop to all day programs at Cosmo. Participants and their families were consulted with for weeks prior to reaching the decision last week, according to executive director Sharlene Duquette.

“Although we’re closed, we’re shifting on how we support our program participants to more of a delivery of supports remotely,” Duquette said.

A survey went out to staff last week to see who would be willing to make house visits, but more details are being finalized by the hour.

“It might be just doing a FaceTime chat with a program participant, doing a call to check in…if they’re needing any supplies delivered,” she said, mentioning meet ups can be arranged for even a walk around the block.

“Just to get them out and know that our staff are there for them at any time.”

Participants have had a tough time understanding why they aren’t allowed to be at Cosmo, according to Duqeutte.

“Because they’re healthy and they’re safe, so it’s definitely a difficult understanding,” Duquette said of the organizations roughly 400 people participating in Cosmos programs.

“They love Cosmo and they want to get back as soon as possible.”

Cosmo’s recycling program for condos and apartments will continue uninterrupted.

Duquette is eager to see how programs operate remotely instead of having participants arriving each day from all over the city.

“This way, we’ve just kind of reversed it and we’re reaching out to them,” she said.