Human Resources, Labour and Employment
June 6, 2008

Community Youth Network Expands to St. Lawrence

The Community Youth Network (CYN) continues to grow with the official launch of a new chapter to serve young people in St. Lawrence and the surrounding area. The new chapter is part of a 2007-08 commitment to expand the CYN to six new areas of the province. In Budget 2008, the Provincial Government is building on this momentum and is providing an additional $530,000 to further increase funding to the Community Youth Network. This brings the Provincial Government�s commitment to $1.2 million in support of 10 sites throughout the province.

"The Community Youth Network offers young people in St. Lawrence and the surrounding area a variety of programs and services to support their social, educational and recreational development," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "Our government is committed to providing our youth with opportunities for personal development and to participate in community life."

A CYN site provides a variety of programs and services in a safe and supportive setting for young people. There are opportunities to learn, to engage in career planning, to participate in recreational activities and to become engaged as young leaders in the community.

Darin King, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, expressed his pleasure today with the opening of the new CYN. "I would like to thank Minister Skinner for providing funding and identifying St. Lawrence as a site for the Community Youth Network," said Dr. King. "This will give the youth of St. Lawrence and area the opportunity to participate in organized activities such as playing sports, learning new skills, participate in leadership opportunities, and to socialize with friends. This helps to reduce risks for youth and makes the community more attractive for young families."

This CYN chapter is sponsored by the Town of St. Lawrence and is hosted by the St. Lawrence and Area Youth Organization. The CYN is incorporated into the St. Lawrence Recreation Centre, which has undergone renovations to support these new programs and services. The CYN is also supported by strong partnerships with local schools, service groups and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

A CYN helps address the need to decrease barriers to education and employment, and improve the quality of life for our young people. The organization continues to grow. Today, the CYN provides a positive and nurturing experience for over 14,000 young people, and now serves 48 communities directly while providing outreach to youth living in another 45 communities across the province.

"The Provincial Government is working hard to ensure that young people are given every opportunity to succeed, to feel valued and to have realistic choices regarding their future," said Minister Skinner. "The CYN is an excellent avenue to foster and encourage youth engagement within our communities."

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Media contact:
Ed Moriarity
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-4062, 728-9623
edmoriarity@gov.nl.ca 

2008 06 06                                                 3:40 p.m.

 


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