Island Furniture was founded in 1979 by the late Paul E. Walsh. It was started as a furniture manufacturing company employing the mentally challenged. The objective of the company was to become a viable business entity creating real jobs for the mentally challenged.

Since its inception, Island Furniture has partnered with businesses across the province to create over 400 work placements for people with mental disabilities. Island Furniture pays 50 percent of the wages for business placements and up to 100 per cent for placements with non-profit groups. Over the life of the program, Island Furniture has contributed in excess of $1.5 million.

Six of the 24 staff members at Island Furniture are mentally disabled.

Our challenge is to encourage the business community that if we can build a successful company, surely other companies can create opportunities in their own environment for people with mental disabilites. Island Furniture will continue to reach out to other businesses to expand the program.