Celebratory picnic at Christie Pits

By: Mike Adair, Community Support Coordinator, Community First

This past summer, the Community First team ran our first ever Youth Summer Employment Transitions program. Staff support for the project was made possible by funding through Canada Summer Jobs 2017, via Employment and Social Development  Canada. After reaching out to five high schools across Community Living Toronto’s four regions, seven  students were brought into this pilot project.

The goal of the project was to build upon the students’ employment-related skills. To begin their journey, the students completed two weeks of Job Readiness   Training at the Community Junction. After their training, they were offered paid and volunteer summer                  placements with brand new community partners.

In total, the summer group worked in six paid placements (in for-profit businesses) and three volunteer positions (in traditional volunteer settings). These placements were successful because of the amazing attitudes and hard work ethic of our   participants.

To celebrate the accomplishments of this first group, the team met for one last get together on August 31st at Christie Pits, where they enjoyed a picnic. With such a positive first run, we hope to be working with the student job seekers of Toronto for many summers to come!

Click here to read the full newsletter in PDF: Newsletter_2017_October