YouthForce employment program set to expand in its fourth year
Waterloo Region – A summer employment program that aims to break the cycle of poverty and create job opportunities for youth is expanding in its fourth year.
The goal for this year is to grow the program by 25 percent; hiring up to 40 youth and providing 5,000 unit inspections for landlords.
“YouthForce has become a large summer employer of youth and a service provider for the affordable housing sector,” said Mina Fayez-Baghat, Manager of Waterloo Region Housing/Client Services for Housing Services.
The program is a partnership between the Region and four community organizations. Youth between the ages of 15 and 24 who live in or near Region-owned community housing are hired to do work in their neighborhoods over the summer while building skills to help with their future careers.
Recruitment for this year’s program takes place at two jobs fairs – the first was held in Cambridge last weekend and the second will be held in Kitchener this Saturday. The job fairs are hosted by the Region’s Employment Services team and will also feature several employers hiring for summer and full time positions.
“I’m really excited that we integrated recruitment through a larger job fair using the Region’s Employment Services teams,” said Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders, Commissioner of Community Services. “It means access to jobs for youth and all clients of the Region.”
Event: Kitchener Recruitment and Job Fair
Date: Saturday, March 2nd
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: 235 King St. E., Kitchener, 3rd floor
For a media interview, please contact Sherry Morley, Communications Coordinator in Community Services at 519-883-2377 or smorley@regionofwaterloo.ca.
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