thehealthline.ca – Health Services for South West

Health News For South West

Wednesday, September 09, 2015
YMCA St Thomas Elgin - Youth Engagement Project
HEY YOUth! Apply for the Youth Enagement Project!

The Youth Engagement Project (YEP) is gearing up for our next intake of youth starting mid-November. The YEP is a 24-week intervention for youth ages 15 to 30 who are out of work, out of school and experience barriers to employment. Barriers could include:

non completion of high-school
disability
drug or alcohol related problem
single parent
low level of literacy
visible or ethnic minority
history of street involvement
involvement in young offender or the criminal justice system
history of child or social assistance system
lack of available jobs

The program starts with 2 weeks of paid training where youth receive certificates like First Aid/CPR, Safe Food Handlers and Customer Service Excellence. Youth then move on to a 22-week paid work placement within the community. There are 2 YEP coordinators that work closely with the youth and employers to ensure that youth are gaining skills (both employment and life skills) and moving towards their future employment goals.

The next intake will begin on November 23, 2015 and there are 12 positions for youth available. Please note that youth who have ever received E.I benefits are not eligible for this project.

For youth in St Thomas:

Contact Amanda Farquhar at Employment Services Elgin, 400 Talbot St. Drop-in or email a resume to afarquhar@employmentserviceselgin.ca stating your interest in the YEP program.

For youth in Aylmer:

Drop-in to Alymer Community Services at 25 Centre St or call 519-765-2082.

For any other questions or inquiries:

Nicole McGibbon
519-631-9800 ext 245
nmcgibbon@ywcastthomaselgin.org

Melanie Rowley
519-631-9800 ext 246
mrowley.ywca@hotmail.com