SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, December 18, 2008-The federal government is helping unemployed and homeless people in the South Fraser region re-enter the work force and break free from the cycle of homelessness. Ms. Dona Cadman, Member of Parliament for Surrey North, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.
"Canada is built on a promise of opportunity; the chance to work hard, raise a family and make a better life," said Ms. Cadman. "By supporting this project, our government is helping these participants share in that promise by acquiring the skills, knowledge and experience they need to move forward in their lives."
The Newton Advocacy Group Society will receive $1.17 million in funding for its Project Comeback under the Government of Canada's Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program. The project is a continuous intake program that will provide counselling, consulting and job-search services to 210 unemployed and homeless participants from the South Fraser region, enabling them to acquire full-time sustainable employment and helping them to permanently break free from the cycle of homelessness.
This project reflects the federal government's commitment to working in partnership with the provinces and territories, communities and stakeholders to provide Canadians with the training, skills and opportunities they need to participate in the work force and contribute to their communities.
The EAS program is administered by Service Canada, which brings Government of Canada services and benefits together in a single delivery network. Service Canada provides Canadians with one-stop, personalized service they can access however they choose-by phone at 1 800 O-Canada, on the Internet at servicecanada.gc.ca, or in person at Service Canada Centres across the country.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a touch-tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Service Canada Communications
604-666-2337
Service Canada Communications
604-666-2337
Backgrounder
The Newton Advocacy Group Society is a not-for-profit, charitable society committed to the empowerment of individuals and families through education, advocacy and the creation of supportive, community-based networks.
The Society, through Project Comeback, has provided counselling, consulting and job search services to individuals throughout the South Fraser region under funding agreements with the Department since 2005. Project Comeback helps, empowers and supports homeless and unemployed individuals to acquire and maintain full-time sustainable employment, enabling them to permanently break the cycle of homelessness.
The Employment Assistance Services (EAS) program provides funding to organizations that offer employment services to help clients re-enter the labour market. Funding for the EAS program was provided for in the March 2007 federal budget.
All unemployed Canadians have access to a range of services under the EAS program. However, some EAS offerings are available only to clients who are eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, or who have recently been receiving EI benefits.
Employment Assistance Services include providing clients with information about the labour market, help preparing résumés, career-planning services, employment counselling, diagnostic assessment, help with job-search skills, job-finding clubs, and job-placement services.
Eligible recipients of EAS funding are businesses (including federal Crown corporations and provincial/territorial Crown corporations), organizations, individuals, public health and educational institutions, municipal governments, and band/tribal councils, as well as some provincial/territorial government departments and agencies. These entities act as employers or service coordinators under the program.
This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with Service Canada's administration of its grants and contributions programs, and is subject to review under the Financial Administration Act.
