Employment preparation programs: Connecting Youth to Work & Next Step

Partly funded by Service Canada, Yonge Street Mission’s Connecting Youth to Work program provides opportunities for street-involved youth to develop job skills and gain valuable on-the-job work experience.

The Connecting Youth to Work Program lasts 32 weeks and consists of three parts.

Part I (2 weeks)
During Part I, participants receive 60 hours of life and job-skills training through interactive workshops and small group presentations.   Young men and women are encouraged to set career goals and work on skills in the areas of communication, teamwork, assertiveness, financial capability and self-esteem.  They also receive assistance with housing and legal issues and learn how to write a resume, search for a job and prepare for a job interview.  Those who successfully complete this portion of the program earn a WHMIS certificate.

Part II (10 weeks)
Those who do well in the first two weeks of the program move on to Part II, a pre-placement phase, a 30-hours per week work program at Yonge Street Mission.  Participants have the opportunity to gain on-the-job training in a variety of areas, including the food service and trades industries, office and clerical work, and working with children and other youth.   They also have the opportunity to receive First Aid/CPR certification and training in Safe Food-Handling. In addition to time spent at work, participants also attend employability and life-skills workshops and meet regularly with staff for ongoing support.

Part III (20 weeks)
Based on their success in Parts I and II of the CYTW program, participants are placed in a paid job within the Toronto business community. Employers receive a generous wage subsidy to offset their training costs.  Job placement is usually in an entry-level position where the new hire is able to gain an awareness of the various career opportunities available in a particular field. For some participants, the job placement is more challenging, giving them the opportunity to further develop skills in a specific area of specialty. Upon completion of this phase of the program, participants receive a reconditioned laptop computer and a completion bonus of $500.

The results: Many Connecting Youth To Work graduates have been offered permanent employment by their Part III employers. Others have found employment elsewhere, or have gone to pursue further development of their skills.  These young men and women tell us that the program gave them the skills and opportunities they needed to be successful at work and in life.

“The CYTW program gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in a food service environment.  I want to be a chef.  Thank you, Yonge Street Mission, for the opportunity to pursue my dreams!”
— CYTW Graduate

Get Involved!

Click here to learn how you can help young men and women get off the street and into the workplace.

For more information contact us at:
Email:  cytw@ysm.ca
Phone:  416-929-9614 X 3280 or 3278
Fax: (416) 977-2890

Not sure if you’re ready for Connecting Youth to Work?

Consider Next Step an employement preperation program for youth receiving Ontario Works support.

Next Step seeks to help at-risk youth receiving Ontairo Works support make the transition into full-time employment Participants learn employment, business and life skills by participating in eight two-hour workshops.  The workshops, which are tailored to meet specific needs and goals, cover topics such as Job Readiness, Identifying Personality Strengths and Weaknesses, Managing Time and Money, Labor Market Trends and Planning for the Future. Our goal is only to help our youth find jobs, but also give them the skills they need to succeed in the work force.

Success Story – Destiny registered with the Evergreen Employment Resource Center late in 2008 and became involved in Next Step.  She worked hard polishing her job skills.  She improved her cover letter and resume.  Soon after completing the program, she received an interview, which led to a part-time position as an Early Childhood Assistant.  She is just one of many who are now gainfully employed thanks to your support of our life-changing programs.