By Vicki Pilot
The Employment Team of Beacon Community Services has delivered their first cohort of the In Motion & Momentum Program in September 2026. Six participants completed the program, and the feedback was very positive. Comments such as “I was sad when the week was over, I was enjoying it so much”, “My friends have noticed a big change in my confidence and energy” , “I feel like I could have more of a future” were shared with the facilitators. The six participants were from the BEAM Project, WorkBC’s Customized Employment clients in Sidney and Salt Spring Island, and general EI clients from WorkBC.
The first phase of In Motion and Momentum begins with self-assessment and building a team connection with the rest of the group.
In phase two, the group brainstorms a project they can take on that will address a community’s need. With the guidance of the facilitators, the group then takes on all aspects of the project and completes the project within a couple of weeks. In this case, it was a bottle drive on Salt Spring and in Sidney/Central Saanich to raise money for animals effected by the Okanagan wildfires.
The third phase is to apply the momentum, confidence and strengths gained and apply it to themselves individually, using the group for encouragement and support.
The program was developed by the Canadian Career Development Foundation and has had great success across Canada. A recent report showed that graduates of the program make at least $5,000 more than those who did not graduate. In Motion & Momentum+ (IM&M+) is a free, 10-week career readiness program designed to help individuals build confidence, gain direction, and move toward their next steps, whether that’s employment, training, or something new. This program is ideal for anyone who may be feeling stuck, out of work, or looking for a fresh start. Participants receive guided support, practical tools, and the opportunity to connect with others in a supportive environment.
The next cohort will be starting in January 2027.
As facilitators, one of the most rewarding parts of delivering our first IM&M+ cohort was witnessing the growth in confidence and connection among the participants throughout the week. Each participant came into the program with their own experiences, strengths, challenges, and goals, and it was inspiring to see them recognize their own abilities and begin to look toward their next steps with greater confidence.
Alongside the clients, we too grew weekly in the delivery of program curriculum and witnessed the clients’ growth. This cohort was our first time with the materials and working together as a team; it has been a journey in trust, confidence, and growth. What truly stood out to us was witnessing a diverse group of people from all walks of life—across different ages, neurodivergences, socioeconomic backgrounds, professions, and educational experiences—come together for a shared community service activity. We were genuinely inspired by how naturally everyone gelled, worked collaboratively, and treated one another with respect, kindness, and openness. Despite our differences and diverse life experiences, we were united by a common, community-centered vision. It was a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together with empathy, mutual respect, and a shared desire to make a positive difference in their community.
The supportive environment created within the group was also a highlight. Participants encouraged one another, shared experiences, celebrated successes, and reminded each other that they were not alone in navigating career transitions. As facilitators, we were grateful to be part of that process and to see the positive impact that a supportive, encouraging space can have. The experience reinforced for us that sometimes having the opportunity to pause, reflect, reconnect with your strengths, and be supported by others can be an important first step toward creating momentum.
The other truly remarkable part of this experience was the confidence and empowerment that the group experienced. The ownership and the shared passion in the community project was infectious and inspiring. For some of them, this was the first time they had ever exercised their voice or meaningfully contributed to their community. The more experienced group members were energized by having a project that was stimulating and allowed them to get in touch with talents, strengths, skills and experience in a meaningful way.