Mana Community Enterprises Inc
Mana Community Enterprises Inc (MCE) is a non-profit, community organisation that provides focused work rehabilitation and training (such as employment at Trash Palace) to users of Mental Health Services living in the Porirua area.
MCE was established in 1996 after the closure of the long-stay wards at Porirua Psychiatric Hospital and is primarily funded by the Capital and Coast District Health Board.
Its primary purpose is to provide vocational rehabilitation and training for mental health consumers. After identifying there was great difficulty for mental health consumers to move beyond the programmes to paid employment, MCE developed a range of business initiatives with a focus on recycling and resource recovery. Currently, over 70 people per day participate in a variety of programmes that help them to develop practical and social skills and build confidence. Today, MCE operates from 3 sites around Porirua and employs over 50 people, 29 of which are mental health consumers in full or part time permanent work.
Trash Palace – a purpose-built recycling centre developed in partnership with Porirua City Council designed to expand the range of recycling services in Porirua. Here, MCE trainees can work in supported paid employment with the goal to move into main-stream employment. Trash Palace employs 14 mental health consumers in both full and part time work.
Head Office in Mohuia Crescent – where a variety of work is undertaken including sorting recycling from several large stores nationwide and contract work for local businesses such as small item assembly, hand packing and some craftwork. Around 38 mental health consumers work at the Business Unit and are involved in a variety of programmes.
The Vailima Site – in the old Porirua Hospital grounds where MCE operates a grounds maintenance and casual labour team. Ten mental health consumers are employed to clear sections, mow lawns, fell trees and make firewood to sell. There is also a plant nursery and gardens which sells native plants to the public.
Through its business initiatives, MCE has expanded the concept of community care to offer trainees opportunities to develop socially and regain skills for employment or work-related alternatives. MCE values working together to create an environment for rehabilitation that recognizes and respects each person’s differences and supports them to make positive changes in their lives. MCE is also focused on building social links and community networks.
Contract Work
Our organisation welcomes enquiries from businesses with jobs that can be handled by our trainees, providing them with the opportunity to gain valuable work ethics and skills. All work is supervised by experienced staff and quality controlled.
Types of Work We Do
- Shrink-wrapping – items up to 550mm x 400mm x 200mm deep
- Sealing – items up to 30 cm wide
- Packaging
- Item assembly
- Recycling – plastics, paper and cardboard
- Labelling or repricing
- Envelope stuffing
- Collating
- Any other jobs that may be uneconomical for your business
If we do not have the machinery for the job we may consider investing in it for ongoing contracts. We provide competitive rates, prompt service and quality standards.
All proceeds go back into the organisation to provide further work opportunities for mental health consumers.
For more information please contact the General Manager generalmanager@mce.org.nz
Contact details for Mana Community Enterprises Inc are:
11 Mohuia Crescent, Elsdon, Porirua
Phone: (04) 237 5454
Fax: (04) 237 6422
Email: generalmanager@mce.org.nz
