With the help of a $155,570 contribution from the Provincial Government, the John Howard Society will expand its comprehensive Horizons employment program in the Bay St. George area. The goal of this program is to enhance the employment prospects of adults aged 30 and older who face significant barriers to employment that may include dependency on social assistance, lack of work experience, or criminal history. With the new funding provided by the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, the John Howard Society will expand the total number of program participants from six to 15.

"The Horizons program provides much needed help to adults who have experienced consistent difficulty with securing meaningful employment," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. "Participants become more confident in their abilities and they establish career plans that lead towards rewarding and enduring participation in the provincial workforce. Given that we are predicting a sharp rise in demand for skilled workers in the coming years, this program is particularly valuable at this time, and so we are pleased to help the program expand."

The program begins by teaching participants employability skills such as resume writing, job searching and interview preparation. Participants then engage in a 936 hour work placement during which they maintain a close relationship with both their employer and program co-ordinator to ensure all needs and expectations are being met.

Over the course of their employment, participants attend bi-weekly sessions that cover topics such as decision-making, problem solving, and career building. They also complete an Employment Readiness Scale at the beginning, middle and end of the program to gauge their progress. The overall approach is designed to foster the personal growth and skill development needed to help participants overcome any challenges that have kept them from securing long-term employment.

"I am very pleased that the John Howard Society is delivering this worthwhile employment program in the Bay St. George area," said the Honourable Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's - Stephenville East District. "The Horizons program gives people in challenging circumstances a special opportunity to explore their potential and become valuable contributors to our provincial economy, and so I congratulate the organization for all its good work."

"The Horizons program will give new hope to people in the Bay St. George area who have not had success in their search for meaningful employment," said Tony Cornect, MHA for Port au Port District. "I applaud any initiatives that help people improve their quality of life and enhance their prospects. I am delighted to see area residents benefiting from this initiative."

Charlie Young, acting Regional Director of the West Coast Council of John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Inc., also expressed his pleasure at today�s announcement.

"Our Horizons program is a great example of how the John Howard Society helps people realize their potential and become responsible, contributing citizens in our society," said Mr. Young. "We are proud to have developed this unique program for residents in the Bay St. George area, and we thank the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment for supporting us in our efforts."

The John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is a community-based, volunteer organization that works to reduce crime by providing opportunities for the rehabilitation of offenders and advocating reform through successful program interventions; public education; crime prevention strategies, and restorative justice principles. The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment has proudly supported the society�s delivery of the Horizons program since the program was first run from April to November of 2008.

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