February 24, 2003

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR - The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada today announced that The MacMorran Community Centre and the Buckmasters Circle Community Centre will receive a total of $279,300 in Youth Employment Strategy (YES) funding. The funding will provide an opportunity for 20 youth to gain valuable work experience.

Through this initiative, the Buckmasters Circle Community Centre will help 10 youth participants gain generic work and interpersonal skills by developing programs and activities for various groups including senior citizens in seniors' homes, youth and young adults, community centres and other organizations. At the end of the project, participants will either decide to return to school or enter the workforce. This project will run from December 2002 to September 2003.

Under the 40-week initiative with the MacMorran Community Centre which will run until September 2003, 10 local youth will also be given an opportunity to develop generic work skills and complete career action plans that will enhance their ability to gain permanent employment or return to school. Participants will take part in a range of activities including creating new programs for other community centres, volunteering with other not-for-profit organizations and community beautification.

"Though these initiatives, participants will gain a greater understanding of the importance of volunteering in the community," explained Minister Byrne. "They will also have the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of career options that will assist in deciding their future career decisions."

The Buckmasters Circle Community Centre was established in 1993 in order to address the social and economic issues facing some residents of the area. Its mandate is to provide area residents with social, educational, recreational, health and employment related services and programs.

The MacMorran Community Centre was established in 1983 to assist families living in Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation units on Kelly Street, Brophy Place, Hunt's Lane and Blackwood Place in the north east end of St. John's. Approximately 30,000 visits are made to the centre annually. MacMorran also implements projects designed to encourage entrepreneurship, educational and economic development.

Youth Service Canada develops work opportunities for youth who face greater barriers to entering the labour market through participation in community service projects. Young people (normally 30 and under) who are unemployed, out of school and legally entitled to work in Canada can participate. YSC projects challenge young people to invest their time, energy and expertise in their communities. Through meaningful service projects designed and implemented by experienced community-based groups, young people acquire valuable job and life skills while strengthening their sense of accomplishment and attachment to their community.

This project supports the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy to help youth make the transition from school to work and get their first job, in partnership with businesses, non-governmental organizations, communities and other levels of government. The Strategy offers a three-pronged approach to addressing youth unemployment issues: it provides work experience opportunities for unemployed or underemployed youth and students; provides access to relevant information on Canada's labour market; and facilitates access to learning.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

These projects have been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grant and contribution programs.

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For more information:

Michelle Andrews
Communications Consultant
Human Resources Development Canada
(709) 772-0234

Mike Wadden
MacMorran Community Centre
Tel: (709) 722-1168

Jim Crockwell
Buckmasters Circle Community Centre
(709) 579-0718

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 website at http://www.youth.gc.ca