Rotary Centennial Award of $100,000 to Youth Employment Services YES

SERVICE ABOVE SELF            

The Rotary Club of Toronto is donating  in excess of $1,000,000.00 to local and international agencies during our Centennial Year.

The  Rotary Club of Toronto Centennial  award of  $100,000.00  will be given to
Youth Employment Services  YES,  

for its Innovative Program, “The Rotary Club of Toronto Centre for Youth Empowerment: Job Camp”

The Rotary Club of Toronto says YES to Youth Employment Services YES

The RCT Centennial project to help at-risk and disadvantaged youth is to partially fund the Job Camp program at YES for three years.  Conventional (summer) camp is a place where young people travel away from the city to have fun, find new friends and learn new skills. Job Camp is an inner city place and a program to help disadvantaged and at-risk youth … to have fun, find new friends, learn new skills … and get a job. Job Camp is housed within the newly named Rotary Club of Toronto Centre for Youth Empowerment at 511 Richmond Street West.

The Rotary Club of Toronto Centre for Youth Empowerment :Job Camp is an innovative program. It provides extra support for multi-barrier youth in jeopardy of being unemployed long-term. Two weeks of group and individual learning are followed by job placement. This model allows young people to make friends, gain trust in their counsellor and the process of finding work. The participants learn comprehensive employability and life skills. Skills they can use for life.

Over the years, the success of the program has flourished. Job Camp is a citywide program where many other agencies refer youth. It is a flagship program for YES. Just like summer camp, Job Camp focuses on giving the most disadvantaged youth an engaging experience that is never forgotten. Job Camp also provides meals, TTC tickets and help with job appropriate clothing.

Two years ago, Job Camp lost significant funding from both the Federal and Provincial levels of government.  This decision and loss of funding came at time of a national youth unemployment crisis. YES was determined to maintain Job Camp … for youth in need … but also to carry on the legacy that was created by RCT since 1968.

The Centennial Project, Job Camp, will outreach to over 900 youth in the next three years. 600 youth will be assessed for suitability for the program to ensure the most in need receive help. 300 youth will graduate from Job Camp with 80% success.

YES has grown into an internationally recognized Centre of Excellence for Youth Employment and Empowerment with the ongoing support of RCT. Financial support is essential but volunteer contributions are imperative. We thank all the Rotarians of our club who have served on the YES Board of Directors for the past 44 years. Every year YES changes lives. With the help of RCT, YES remains the employment champion for youth.

YES will celebrate on October 2, 2012 at Brassaii restaurant and club. Join Youth Employment Services YES as we celebrate The Rotary Club of Toronto’s Centennial year and support for the Job Camp project.  For more information or to reserve your ticket please call 416-504-5516 extension 230.

Job Camp Success Stories

Before getting to YES, I was jobless and not having success finding a job because I feel that I did not have the skills or knowledge to find work.  I found the number for YES on a flyer at local community centre and called.   I got put into the Job Camp Program. They taught me how to improve my resume, cover letter, interview skills and how to best to locate jobs.  I feel like my job searching improved 100% and I am now getting calls returned by employers and interviews!

- Anita, Job Camp Participant

I first came to YES when I was unemployed with absolutely no prospects or experience within the city at all. I had no money for expenses and no money for rent and was in a horrible position after leaving school. I gave it a shot and it was the best decision I have made since moving to Toronto. The Job Camp program kept me on my feet and motivated to find work, and I did. In just under a week and a half I had an interview with one of my favourite employers and was hired days later. I am now working 5 days a week and loving what I do. The people at YES are amazing at what they do and they will find you a job if you are motivated and work with them.                                     

 - James, Job Camp Participant

For more information on The Rotary Club of Toronto’s Centennial Celebration Events, please contact: Tel: 416-363-0604        email: office@rotarytoronto.ca