YouthForce wins provincial award as program prepares to expand
Waterloo Region – An employment program that aims to break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for youth has won a provincial award as it prepares to expand.
YouthForce, a community and Region-led partnership, received an innovation award from the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association on Saturday, November 5th. The award comes as the program works towards becoming a social enterprise.
“We see youth employed in this program becoming mentors in their neighbourhoods,” said Joe-Ann McComb, Executive Director for Kinbridge Community Association. “We stay connected with them year-round, facilitating more training opportunities, access to resources, and employment with neighbourhood centres. Employment is the primary benefit but families and neighbours have pride in the youth. It is positive all around.”
Kinbridge recently received $750,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to help YouthForce operate year-round and generate enough revenue to make the program self-sustainable. In 2019, 36 youth completed over 5,000 unit inspections and other work in their communities, generating $9,642 in revenue.
As part of the program, youth between age 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.
“Before YouthForce I was really shy, and over the years I got more confident... It was a great way to learn who I am outside of home and school,” was the feedback from one participant.
“Youth in community housing have great talent, skills and commitment, but many of them don’t have equitable access to training, education and jobs,” said Mina Fayez-Baghat, Manager in Housing Services at the Region. “This program gives them those opportunities.”
YouthForce began in 2015 and is delivered by the Region, Kinbridge Community Association, Carizon Family and Community Services, Greenway-Chaplin Community Centre, and Langs.
For more information, please contact:
Sherry Morley
Communications Coordinator
Community Services, Region of Waterloo
Cell: 226-750-6972
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