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Hollyburn youth program gets funding boost

$1.2M federal grant funds 17-week program for job-seekers
Wilkinson

Local youth who face steep barriers to finding a job are getting a hand up from the feds.

North Vancouver Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson announced last month $1.2 million in funding from Service Canada for Wired4Success, a program run by the Hollyburn Family Services Society with a history of helping youth with addiction or mental health issues, learning or developmental disabilities transition off of government assistance.

Applicants accepted into the 17-week program get four weeks of classroom time where they brush up on basic employment skills followed by placements with local employers.

The federal subsidy covers wages of Wired4Success clients as they make their way through the classroom and job site.

After the program wraps, Hollyburn keeps tabs on their clients, many of whom are grateful for the pivotal experience in their lives, said Nanette Taylor, Hollyburn’s executive director.

“They’re inclined to stay in touch with us too because it’s transformative,” she said. “There’s a really high success rate where 78 per cent get employment and do not end up on any kind of (government) assistance.”

Job placements have been in everywhere from restaurant kitchens to construction sites, lawyers’ office and salons. Hollyburn tries to place their clients with employers based on interests the job-seekers already have.

“So instead of just getting a job, they might be launching a career or something with a little more longevity to it,” she said. “Local employers have been awesome. They’ve really stepped up to being open and taking youth on and, in many cases, are hiring them for work afterwards.”

Wired4Success has run annually since 2013 but unlike previous years, this announcement gives the program stable funding for three years going forward.

“Developing Canada’s youth is a priority for me. Hollyburn Family Services’ project is a concrete example of what we can achieve for youth by working in partnership with organizations in North Vancouver and how we can give young Canadians the chance to change their future,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Liberal MP for North Vancouver.

Anyone interested in signing up for Wired4Success, either as an applicant or an employer is invited to call Hollyburn Family Services 604- 988-1292.