The Harbour Breton Community Youth Network (CYN) brought over 40 area youth from grades 7-12 to St. John�s today for a tour that included stops at Memorial University, the Marine Institute, the College of the North Atlantic, various historic sites, and the Confederation Building. The intent of the trip is to familiarize the participants with the capital city and give them an understanding of the many options that are open to them as they pursue higher education and develop career paths. The tour began with a visit to the House of Assembly, where the youth were greeted by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.

"The Harbour Breton Area CYN is a most impressive link in our network," noted Minister Sullivan after speaking with the group. "It serves youth and the community in general with a wide variety of supports and services that include tutoring, youth leadership initiatives, youth employment projects, career planning services, recreational programs, and a fully certified daycare. This tour is just another way this CYN is benefiting the young people of Harbour Breton, and I�m thrilled they are getting an opportunity to explore key provincial facilities and see just how many options are open to them as they develop their future plans."

"We greatly appreciate the Provincial Government�s ongoing commitment to youth development," said Marie Bungay, Coordinator of the Harbour Breton CYN. "My organization has enjoyed tremendous support and partnership from the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment in all our initiatives, and the fact that Minister Sullivan met with our young people today is another fine example of the partnership we enjoy with her department."

"I am very pleased to know that young people in my district were able to take advantage of this opportunity, and I thank Minister Sullivan for making herself available to them," said Tracey Perry, MHA for Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune District. "These young people have the potential to be leaders in our province in the years to come, and so it is important that they know about every educational opportunity available to them. I hope they enjoy the rest of their trip, and I wish them all the best."

The Harbour Breton Community Youth Network is dedicated to enhancing youth participation in social and economic development by focusing on learning, employment, capacity building, supportive services and social recreation. The organization has existed for approximately 10 years, and in addition to providing its own programs and services, it also serves as the main information base for the Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment�s programs. For more information about the Harbour Breton CYN, visit //harbourbreton.thecyn.ca/

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Photo # 1: The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, listens to Harbour Breton and area youth during their visit at Confederation Building, on Tuesday, August 25

Photo # 2: The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, speaking with Harbour Breton and area youth during their tour of Confederation Building, which was organized by the Harbour Breton and Area Community Youth Network, on Tuesday August 25

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2009 08 25                                                       4:15 p.m.