Human Resources, Labour and Employment
February 27, 2008

Province Partners with Choices for Youth

With a $103,000 contribution from the Provincial Government, Choices for Youth is moving forward to meet the needs of young people with the establishment of a Partnership Facilitator Program (PFP) to strengthen the link between skills development, employment and supportive housing. This is based on a successful approach developed by the Eva�s Phoenix housing and training facility in Toronto. In 2007-08, a total of $290,000 was provided to Choices for Youth in support of their youth program and service delivery in the community.

"This funding enables Choices for Youth to hire a partnership facilitator and develop key programs and services to provide young people with the professional support they need to build essential skills and get connected to meaningful work with local employers," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "Our government is committed to engaging the community in the delivery of innovative programs that help young people with significant barriers achieve success and independence."

The PFP incorporates a number of key elements in addressing recurring youth homelessness. It provides a supportive environment combined with a tailored math, literacy and employment preparation training program to address lifestyle, housing, educational, and employment barriers. The PFP helps youth by generating interest and engagement in learning. It enables employers to become key partners in strengthening a young person�s attachment to sustainable and healthy lifestyle choices through exposure to employment.

"The funding of the Partnership Facilitator Program here at Choices for Youth is a tremendous investment in the creative training and employment opportunities we will be providing to youth," said Sheldon Pollett, Executive Director, Choices for Youth. "This will help us, along with our partners in the literacy program, the Community Youth Network, create new opportunities that work to help the hardest to reach young people."

Choices for Youth is a non-profit, community-based agency that provides housing and lifestyle development programs and services to youth in the St. John�s metro area. The organization was founded in 1990 as a result of an identified need among youth, the community and government to have an empowerment-based program available for young people for whom �home� was not an option.

"This program recognizes the value in combining supportive housing with skills development so that young people are better equipped to move forward with employment and become contributing members of society," said Minister Skinner.

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Media contacts:

Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca
Sheldon Pollett
Executive Director
Choice for Youth
709 754-3047
sheldon@choicesforyouth.ca

 

2008 02 27                                                  12:20 p.m.


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