Employer Outreach Grants to Youth Employment

Counselling Centres

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendation in the following transmittal letter (June 11, 1998) from the Municipal Grants Review Committee:

Recommendation:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on June 11, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the attached report (May 14, 1998) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services respecting Employer Outreach Grants to Youth Employment Counselling Centres.

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 (Report dated May 14, 1998, addressed to theMunicipal Grants Review Committee fromCommissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services)

Purpose:

To recommend grant allocations to six agencies involved in youth employment counselling for the purpose of supporting outreach to employers who might provide job placements to youth.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds are available in the Consolidated Grants budget for 1998. There are no further financial implications.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)grants be provided to agencies involved in youth employment counselling as described in this report and as shown in appendix "A"; such grants are deemed to be in the interest of the Municipality; and

(2)the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Council Reference/Background/History:

This program was established by the Council of the former City of Toronto 13 years ago.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Despite a recent upturn in the economy, youth unemployment remains high. This program was established to support the placement of disadvantaged youth in permanent jobs and/or training positions. The grants have been available to Youth Employment Counselling Centres as established under previous Provincial programs.

Although restructuring and renaming of those programs has technically meant that some of these groups are no longer involved in the new Provincial program, the need is still high and I am recommending that their grant be maintained this year since they are still involved in youth employment. I will report on any required changes later in the year when agency reports are available.

Conclusions:

Youth Employer Outreach grants are a valuable tool in dealing with the high rate of youth unemployment and should be approved this year on the same basis as previous years, pending agency reports and a review of the impact of changes to Provincial programs.

Contact Name:

Larry King, Toronto City Hall Office, Tel: 392-0622.

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Appendix A: Recommended Allocations

 Applicant1997 Allocation1998 RequestRecommended:1998

St. Stephen's $19,500.00 $19,500.00 $19,500.00

Youth Employment

Counselling Centre

Woodgreen Employment 19,500.00 19,500.00 19,500.00

Services

John Howard Society 19,500.00 19,500.00 19,500.00

St. Christopher House 19,500.00 19,500.00 19,500.00

Parachute Community 19,500.00 19,500.00 19,500.00

Employment Centre

Youth Employment Services 19,500.00 19,500.00 19,500.00

Total$117,000.00$117,000.00$117,000.00

--------Appendix B: Description of Applicants

St. Stephen's Youth Employment Centre is a program of St. Stephen's Community House located in the Kensington Market area and offering employment readiness and placements for disadvantaged youth.

Woodgreen Employment Services is a program of Woodgreen Community Centre, a neighbourhood centre located in the Broadview Gerrard area and offering employment readiness and placements disadvantaged for youth and adults.

The John Howard Society offers vocational and employment services for youth and adults involved with the criminal Justice system.

St. Christopher House is a neighbourhood centre offering employment counselling and placements for disadvantaged youth in the Parkdale area.

Parachute Community Employment Centre offers employment readiness and placements for disadvantaged youth in the Regent Park area.

Youth Employment Services (Y.E.S.) offers employment preparation, job placement for unemployed and out of school youth.