A new business is starting up in Portage la Prairie operated by Visions of Independence (VOI), and it's called Hidden Talents.
 
VOI has taken over a second building downtown -- at 16 Saskatchewan Avenue W -- next door to their original location. It's a new retail business offering bath and lip balms, organic soaps and home decor made by the individuals they support. It acts also as a social enterprise providing employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and showcases the talents of local vendors.
 
"What Visions of Independence is doing is specifically what Hidden Talents does," says Irene Boyse, Portage la Prairie Hidden Talents Director of Services. "We showcase the individuals we support. We've created a lot of the items and we're here to open up and discover everybody's hidden talents. We bring in local crafters and we have  workshops in the back. And out of the product that comes out of the workshop we, in turn, sell it. The individuals discover their new hidden talents."
 
Boyse notes VOI”s goal is to embrace everyone's abilities, demonstrate that  those with disabilities have a lot to offer, and see what  new and hidden talents they have.
 
"The individuals we support,  come here to learn vocational training," Boyse explains. "They learn customer service skills, how to do inventory, cash-training skills. We give them opportunities  to earn some money and learn new skills."
 
"We embrace everybody's abilities in the community," continues Boyse. "VOI wants to change lives for the better."