August 26, 2005
Harbour Breton, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Harbour Breton Community Youth Network held a special
event today to launch Harbour YES, a new program aiming to
increase youth entrepreneurship in the Harbour Breton area.The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is
investing $62,316 in the initiative, which will work with
various partners to incorporate existing entrepreneurial
programs, and initiate new ones, in order to develop a more
entrepreneurial culture among youth."Harbour Breton is going through tremendous challenges
right now, which also have an impact on the youth of the
community," said Bill Matthews, MP for Random-Burin-St.
George's, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire,
Minister of ACOA. "Through Harbour YES, the Government of
Canada is working with the Harbour Breton Community Youth
Network to find ways for young people to access
entrepreneurial opportunities and skills development." The Harbour Breton Community Youth Network was developed to
enhance young people's opportunities for social and
economic development through participation in learning,
employment, capacity building and supportive services. It
was created by the provincial government in April, 2000 as
one of eight anchor Community Youth Network sites in the
province."We are very excited to be launching Harbour YES today,
which is a way for us to focus on the youth in the
community to create a positive outlook for the future,"
said Louise Price, chair, Harbour Breton Community Youth
Network. "This is truly a community initiative and we will
work with our partners and youth in the region to help
motivate them through many different initiatives."Some of the planned activities in the coming months will
include:* Youth Ventures - this province-wide program, which
helps youth to start their own businesses, was offered in
Harbour Breton during the summer and will be extended to
interested participants throughout the rest of the year.* Enterprise Education - Harbour YES will support the
delivery of the high school Enterprise 3205 course by
serving as a supplementary and coordinating resource.
Harbour YES will also promote programs and services
available to young entrepreneurs in the secondary school
system. * Business Wings - there are currently five youth
businesses in the area which will be offered participation
in this peer mentoring and networking initiative. * Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador's Youth!
(FINALY!) - Harbour YES will develop a strong partnership
with FINALY! to empower youth and get them more involved in
community economic development. Harbour YES was launched today as FINALY!'s annual general
meeting (AGM) kicks off in Harbour Breton. Approximately
40 youth from across the province are gathering in the area
for the next two days to learn more about FINALY! and how
they can benefit from this motivational youth forum.
Participants will also elect 12 representatives to act as
the Provincial Youth Council for FINALY! for the upcoming
year. The Harbour YES launch today will help set the tone
for the AGM, which will encourage youth to network and
participate in leadership workshops throughout the weekend.
ACOA is providing funding for this initiative through the
Young Entrepreneur Development Initiative (YEDI), which
targets the development of entrepreneurship and business
skills among Atlantic Canada's youth. FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:The Harbour Breton Community Youth Network held a special
event today to launch Harbour YES, a new program aiming to
increase youth entrepreneurship in the Harbour Breton area.The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is investing
$62,316 in the program, which will work with various
partners to incorporate existing entrepreneurial
initiatives, and develop new ones, in order to develop a
more entrepreneurial culture among youth.The Harbour Breton Community Youth Network was established
in 2000 to enhance young people's opportunities for social
and economic development through participation in learning,
employment, capacity building and supportive services. -30-
Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA
(709) 772-2935
Harbour Breton Community Youth NetworkIn April, 2000, the provincial government of Newfoundland
and Labrador announced the establishment of Community Youth
Networks, and Harbour Breton was selected as one of the
regional sites. The mandate of the Harbour Breton
Community Youth Network (CYN) is to enhance youths'
opportunities for social and economic development by
participation in learning, employment, capacity building
and supportive services.The Harbour Breton CYN is a successful incorporated entity
that functions in a community of about 2000, continuously
reaching out to enhance opportunities for youth who are 12
to18 years-old. The CYN also welcomes the services of
supportive groups through partnerships that may offer
opportunities to other age groups. The CYN is controlled by a board of directors, which is
made up of 50 per cent youth and 50 per cent adults. Youth
members are included in decision making and have an equal
opportunity to express their views and concerns during
board meetings. Youth members also have a voice on every
established committee of the CYN, including: website,
hiring, rules and regulations, recreation, café,
fundraising and newsletter. The CYN offers supportive services in a range of areas,
including babysitting courses, healthy eating and anti-
smoking initiatives. It also offers learning opportunities
in areas such as cooking, first aid, peer tutoring,
homework assistance during exams, and Internet access.The CYN partners with a number of different groups in the
community, including the local high school (King Academy),
municipal government, primary health care project, 50 Plus
Club, economic development committee, local organizations
and local businesses.Through the CYN, there are capacity building opportunities
that draw from the skills and expertise of community
members. The CYN also encourages volunteering and provides
information on employment opportunities and programs
available to youth.
