A new program aims to help Charlotte County youth facing “significant barriers” in returning to school or getting work.
Youth Launch will support and assist youth aged 15 to 29 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
The program will offer adult high school diploma courses, as well as training focused on a variety of topics.
“It’s helping those young folks to get back on their feet and build some positive momentum in their lives,” said program director Keith Pierce.
Pierce pointed to a recent census survey which indicated that one-in-five youth in Charlotte County are not in employment, education or training.
“That’s obviously not a healthy statistic and one that’s of concern,” he said. “There’s such a need here and that statistic is what’s driving this work.”
Pierce coordinated a similar program in Saint John called the Urban Youth Employment and Education Service (UYES!) from 2018 to 2020.
The program design in Charlotte County will be similar based on what was learned in that program, he said.
“Sixty percent of the youth we served in Phase 1 of UYES! in Saint John were facing five or more barriers including unstable housing, food security, addictions and mental health,” said Pierce. “Many NEET youth in Charlotte County are confronting similar challenges.”
Youth Launch will be located at The Link, a new community hub operated by Neighbourhood Works Inc. in St. Stephen.
Pierce describes The Link as a “one-stop shop approach to providing services and programs and supports to those in need.”
Before Youth Launch can begin, Pierce and his partners will need to raise $550,000 to hire a team that will include case managers, academic and essential workplace skills instructors, a program coordinator and an office manager.
Pierce said they hope to help between 85 and 100 youth in the first phase, with an anticipated start date of this fall.
