Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Town of Ingersoll - Fusion Youth Centre
SureStart Program Distributes Start-Up Funding: Youth Entrepreneurial Training provides recipient $1,000 start up grant
The SureStart program, which is a collaborative partnership between Community Employment Services and the Fusion Youth Centre, has completed its first session of youth entrepreneurial training and provided its first recipient start-up funding, in the amount of a $1,000 bursary. Upon completion of the five week training program, Jody Bennett submitted her completed business plan to be an eligible applicant and successful recipient of the granting money which she will use to help get her yoga studio running.
Through the SureStart program, Jody’s business idea was brought to life and Stone Roots Yoga was defined with a social purpose and a catchy tagline: people, planet, poses. In addition to a completed business plan, Jody left the training with a network of entrepreneurs and agencies, including the Oxford Small Business Support Centre, which she can use to further her idea and leverage additional funding.
The SureStart program is available to young adults, aged 18-29, who are interested in starting their own business, whether they already have a business idea or are just discovering their entrepreneurial passion. The program will provide a hands-on learning environment with support from the local entrepreneurial community and is delivered in small groups in a practical environment with other youth, meaning that youth can learn from and amongst their peers in a respectful and low pressure environment.
This is a new entrepreneurial training program, which is provided by the Fusion Youth Centre, in partnership with Community Employment Services. The program is designed to help youth complete a detailed business plan and provide them with networking throughout Oxford County. Participants will be eligible for exclusive access to startup funding through a $1,000 grant, distributed by the Fusion Youth Centre.
Youth are encouraged to register for the upcoming session online at www.FusionYouthCentre.ca or contact the Program Coordinator for additional information. Please visit the SureStart Facebook page for more information on Jody’s business idea.
Quotes:
"The Sure Start program helped me take my idea and grow it into something even bigger than I had imagined. SureStart provided me with all the resources I needed to complete a business plan and pitch my idea to investors. I am so grateful to have received a $1000 grant to bring my business to life. Stone Roots Yoga will be able to purchase new equipment including yoga mats, blocks, straps and bolsters with this grant money, and be able to apply for more funding with the knowledge and help of the Oxford Small Business Support Centre."
— Jody Bennett, SureStart youth participant
“Jody has worked very hard, building Stone Roots Yoga from scratch to reality. She worked tremendously hard in the SureStart program. We were happy to help Jody along the way and be part of her journey. I am sure that Stone Roots Yoga will be a great success!”
— Heather Haldane, Interim SureStart Program Coordinator, Fusion Youth Centre
“By engaging Oxford County youth within entrepreneurship and providing training opportunities with start-up funding, we are able to provide an impactful opportunity to not only the youth participants, but also to the local economy. It is rewarding to see agencies collaborate to address self-employment opportunities for many local youth in Oxford County.”
—Jason Smith, Manager, Fusion Youth Centre
Media Contacts:
Heather Haldane
Interim SureStart Program Coordinator
Fusion Youth Activity and Technology Centre
519-204-2630
hhaldane@ingersoll.ca
Jason Smith
Manager
Fusion Youth Activity and Technology Centre
226-268-0064
jsmith@ingersoll.ca
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