The official Opposition has come down hard against the government’s decision not to renew funding for a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities find jobs.

The Yukon Council on DisABILITY, founded in 1998, offers “pre-employment services,” job coaching and workplace accommodation plans for individuals facing physical and intellectual challenges.

The advanced education branch of the Yukon government recently informed the council it will no longer receive core operational cash after March 31.

“I think they provide a very worthwhile service that is needed in the Yukon,” Jan Stick, the NDP caucus lead on social inclusion, told the Star.

“I was disappointed.”

The territory rejected the council’s proposal, similar to its current one worth nearly $750,000 over three years.

Stick conceded the organization’s “numbers were not good” — its recent record of finding consistent work for disabled individuals is not impressive on paper.

“What I find unfortunate is there was never a discussion about why this would be the case,” Stick said.

Finding stable employment is not simply a matter of looking in the classifieds, she added.

“They might be on social assistance, they’re facing precarious housing.

“They need something more than to just say, ‘Here’s a résumé, here’s a job, have at ’er.’”

The now-vanishing cash provides for a range of costs, from rent and utilities to staffing.

There are currently 116 “active” clients, the executive director said.

In an interview earlier this week, Charlene Donald stressed the length of time it takes to establish trust and then transition into the workforce.

Clients frequently drop by the office — located downtown on Wood Street near Second Avenue — for a coffee, chat and job search via the computer lab available to them.

“I guess you could call it employment prep,” Stick said of some of the other services on hand. Or, if clients already have a job, “helping them keep that employment” is another council role.

“The other big part probably is finding employers willing to take on and accommodate a person ... when they have a variety of disabilities,” said Stick, herself a small business owner.

She noted many employers in the territory are very accommodating toward disabled individuals.

While the council receives funding from the Department of Health and Social Services and the federal government, the dwindling cash stream still could mean having to close its doors entirely.

But Donald remained hopeful a funding application to Service Canada will get the stamp of approval before March 31 as she continues to look for other options.

The organization is also considering laying off staff, which may leave three former clients who now work there scrambling for employment.

“They do an amazing job,” Donald said, noting efforts are being made to help those staffers find positions elsewhere.

“If no one’s going to (provide services), there’s going to be costs,” Stick said.

Health Minister Doug Graham could not be reached for comment this week.

He will be available to speak to the non-renewal of the funding Monday, according to communications staff.

See editorial, p. 14.