After a busy summer with 382 Youth Ventures
participants, nine people were selected as winners and were presented
awards at a ceremony in St. John�s today. Throughout the summer, Youth
Ventures provided young entrepreneurs with mentoring, business
counselling and guidance to help them run their own businesses.
Youth Ventures is co-ordinated by the Newfoundland and
Labrador Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs)
and operates 23 sites across the province. The following awards were
presented to those involved in the program:
"Youth Ventures is a self-motivating, gratifying
experience for our youth participants," said Sylvia Alexander,
chairperson, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs. "In
addition, this program provides the skills needed to run a business and
acts as a catalyst in building self-confidence and leadership. And, by
focusing on our youth, we are helping to build the foundation for a
strong business climate in Newfoundland and Labrador."
Youth Ventures is supported by the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency and received $240,000 in funding this year from the
Young Entrepreneur Development Initiative.
"Canada�s New Government is pleased to support the
young entrepreneurs of Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable
Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for
Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay,
Minister of National Defence and Minister of ACOA. "I congratulate
today�s award winners and commend the Newfoundland and Labrador
Association of CBDCs for playing a supporting role in the early success
of all Youth Ventures participants."
The initiative is also supported with $80,000 in
funding provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through
the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.
"The Provincial Government is firmly committed to
fostering career and labour market development opportunities for young
people throughout Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Shawn
Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "The Youth
Ventures program is an excellent way through which to develop a young
person�s entrepreneurial skills and exposure to the operation of a
business. I am pleased to acknowledge individual participants for
demonstrating the drive and energy to succeed, and extend special
congratulations to this year�s Youth Ventures award recipients."
Youth Ventures started in St. Anthony in 1992 and
since then has helped more than 2,900 student entrepreneurs start
businesses. Coordinators located throughout the province help youth aged
12-29 years to come up with business ideas, write business plans, market
their businesses, and receive advice from mentors.
