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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