July 6, 2012

MINISTER MEETING WITH COMMUNITIES TO SEE SUMMER PROGRAMS IN ACTION

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Government Investments Give Summer Enrichment Opportunities to More Than 60,000 Children and Youth: Chief

Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief is visiting communities across the province to see their youth summer enrichment programs as school holidays get underway.
“Community groups have some of the best ideas for making sure the summer is full of enriching experiences for our youth,” Chief said today at Camp Manitou in Headingley.  “Our government’s investments in youth services help sustain community-led projects around Manitoba and I am looking forward to seeing their ideas in action.”
Funding from the Government of Manitoba will reach more than 60,000 children and youth this summer including 15,000 through the Green Team program, which creates summer employment opportunities for youth aged 15 to 29 years, said chief.  Participating employers provide a variety of community development projects that improve neighbourhoods, promote community involvement and help develop young leaders.
Other programming includes career partnerships with universities, the Manitoba Youth Job Centre and Odd Job Squads, and STEP Services, which is the official student employment placement service for the Government of Manitoba.  Last year, the program helped over 1,700 students find full- and part-time jobs with government departments, agencies and Crown corporations.
The minister began his community outreach today with a visit to Camp Manitou.  The camp uses a unique programming model that allows outside youth organizations to use their facilities while providing staff to operate a variety of camp activities.  As a  non -profit charity,  the camp focuses on serving more than 2,500 children and youth who would not otherwise be able to go to camp.  The camp receives funding through Manitoba’s Green Team program to hire and mentor young people as leaders and be positive role models to campers. 
“One of the biggest rewards of operating this camp is seeing young adults providing children the opportunity to explore their interests and talents while, at the same time benefiting from the responsibility and experience that comes with the job of being a camp counsellor,” said Michelle Harrison, executive director, Camp Manitou.  “The benefits of Manitoba’s youth enrichment and employment programs will impact thousands of kids and serve them well, long after their experiences this summer are over.”
The minister has a number of outreach visits planned in the coming weeks.  Community groups that would like the minister to visit and see their programscan contact his office at 204-945-1133 or by email at mincyo@leg.gov.mb.ca.

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