Metro Youth Employment Outreach Program

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (June 3, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:

Purpose:

To request the authority to renew the Department's contract with the Federal Government to continue delivering the Metro Youth Employment Outreach Program in the 1998-99 fiscal year.

Funding Sources:

The Metro Youth Employment Outreach Program is funded at approximately 78 percent by Human Resources Development Canada, and 22 percent by the City of Toronto.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that, subject to Human Resources Development Canada budget approval:

(1) authority be granted to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to enter into an agreement with Human Resources Development Canada to renew operations of the Youth Employment Outreach Program up to March 31, 1999.

(2) the total cost of the program not exceed $331,800.00 and the City of Toronto's contribution to the program for 1998 not exceed $73,000.00 net; and

(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary actions to give effect thereto.

Council Reference:

The Youth Employment Outreach Program was implemented in response to the 1983 Wolman Report on youth unemployment, entitled "Youth, the Forgotten Generation".

The Youth Employment Outreach Program employs six "street workers", case workers who make contact with disadvantaged youth in shopping malls, video arcades, Social Services' area offices, subsidized housing complexes and other locations, with the objective of linking them with appropriate and necessary community-based and government employment, training and education programs. Youth served include those in receipt of social assistance, homeless persons, hostel residents and early school leavers.

Comments:

The Metro Youth Employment Outreach Program is operated under contract with the Federal Government and is designed to assist youth who may be unable to access programs and services, and especially those who have otherwise given up in their frustrated efforts to find training, education and job opportunities. Approximately 16 percent of youth in Toronto are unemployed and another 13 percent are underemployed. Resources for unemployed, disadvantaged youth to obtain adult education and training continue to be limited. Existing programs and services frequently have long waiting lists, and are difficult for youth to access. Documented problems associated with long-term unemployment for youth include violence, drug dependency, prostitution and crime. To facilitate youth access to the range of programs and services that address youth needs, program staff have developed strong working relationships with a comprehensive network of service providers in the Metropolitan region.

The program is contracted by Human Resources Development Canada to link youth to community-based and government-sponsored employment and training programs in order to enhance their prospects for integration into the labour force. The program has consistently satisfied the Federal performance objectives. In 1997, over 940 new youth cases were served, with over 1,200 referrals to employment opportunities, training programs and personal counselling services which resulted in over 700 placements.

Conclusions:

Economic conditions in the City of Toronto continue to adversely affect youth unemployment and associated social problems they experience. The City of Toronto is committed to address issues that affect youth employment in Toronto. Recently, Mayor Lastman hosted a Youth Employment Summit, entitled "Count Me In". Representatives from the three levels of government, business, education, labour, community agencies and youth themselves came together to discuss issues affecting youth employment. Many issues and strategies were discussed one of which identified the importance of reaching out and connecting to the more hard to serve and alienated youth. The Metro Youth Employment Outreach Program was identified at the summit as a crucial link between this client group and available agencies and services.

Furthermore, the Metro Youth Employment Outreach Program continues to satisfy the Federal funder's expectations. The Department is seeking the authority to renew the agreement to deliver the program and the funding required for the program for 1998/99 fiscal year is flat-lined at 1996 levels.

Funds for the program are included in the Departments 1998 budget estimates.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Heather MacVicar

General Manager

392-8953