Government of Canada funds youth project in Kingston

KINGSTON, ONTARIO—The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, welcomed the announcement from the Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, of $93,852 in funding for a youth project targeted to help Kingston youth.

The young people who will participate in this project are homeless and facing great barriers to achieving a stable living situation and employment. Over 23 weeks, the participants will undergo a formal assessment, have action plans prepared and their cases managed in light of their capabilities and their goals. The project will offer life skills training as well as employability skills to the participants.

“This funding will help young people grow by allowing them to discover their strengths so that they can reach their full potential and join the labour market,” said Mr. Milliken. “We must build on young people’s vitality and spirit of initiative.”

This project supports the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES). In April 2003, the Government of Canada changed its YES to be more responsive to the changing needs of youth, employers and the Canadian job market. The YES now offers three focused programs: Skills Link, Summer Work Experience and Career Focus.

These programs provide flexibility to choose from a range of activities designed to be tailored to individual needs. They ensure that young people acquire the skills and work experience they need to find and keep a job, and have the information they need to make informed career choices, and provide post-secondary graduates with career-related work experience to help them become leaders in their field.

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department’s administration of its grant and contribution programs and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.

PROJECT SUMMARY- Government of Canada funding: $93,852 through the Youth Employment Strategy- Objective: provide at-risk youth with life and employment skills to help them obtain employment or return to school

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For more information:

Peter Clarke
Director, Kingston Management Area
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
(613) 545-8562

For more information on programs under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, call the Youth Info Line at 1 800 935-5555, or visit our Web site at www.youth.gc.ca.