For Immediate Release

February 14, 2006

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
New Initiatives To Help Youth Succeed

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is investing more than $28 million in the first three years of a new Youth Opportunities Strategy to expand programs that help youth succeed in life, Minister of Children and Youth Services Mary Anne Chambers announced today. 

“Young people are telling us that they need more opportunities to help them overcome the significant challenges they face to achieve success,” said Chambers. “Our government’s investment today will provide additional opportunities so more youth can look forward to a rewarding future.”

The Youth Opportunities Strategy, which responds to needs identified by youth and community organizations, will first be implemented in communities in Toronto.  Next year, the strategy will be expanded to include additional communities across the province including, Windsor, Ottawa, London, Hamilton and Thunder Bay.

The Youth Opportunities Strategy will expand programs to help youth.  The investment includes:

Supporting the hiring of 39 youth outreach workers in Toronto initially, expanding to 62 across Ontario, who will build relationships with hard-to-reach youth, provide advice and connect them to appropriate services.

Enabling the government to partner with the Toronto Police Services Board in a new “youth in policing program” for up to 100 youth, expanding in other parts of the province to include at least 150 youth next year.

Piloting a new school-based prevention program in high schools in six communities to support pro-active peer mediation and role-modelling programs for students.

Helping 20 Toronto youth, ages 16 to 18, complete their high school education through a “Learn and Work” program in the Ontario Public Service that combines work experience with credit recovery.

“Today’s announcement is good news for youth and their communities,” said Claire Fainer, executive director of East Metro Youth Services. “The government’s investment recognizes the importance of providing our young people with the variety of tools they need to succeed. We look forward to working on the government’s plan to make positive changes for youth and their communities.”

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is also working with other ministries across government to develop and enhance programs that address the needs of at-risk youth, including the launch of a youth opportunities website to provide information on services and programs.

As well, the government is investing $1 million to provide more opportunities for youth by supporting projects that advance students’ interests and abilities in science and technology through the Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program.

“We are pleased to be working with the Ontario government to bring additional employment and skills development opportunities to youth,” said Toronto Police Services Deputy Chief Keith Forde. “Our police services are keen to be working with communities side by side to improve outcomes for young people and help them make a positive contribution to their communities.”

“The McGuinty government is taking positive steps in the right direction to providing more opportunities for young people,” said Sandra Carnegie-Douglas, president of the Jamaican Canadian Association. “The initiatives announced today send a signal that the government is placing focus on the root causes of the disenfranchisement that many youth experience and address preventative measures. We are encouraged by this development.”

“Children and youth dream of being successful in life,” said Chambers. “Our Youth Opportunities Strategy is grounded in our confidence that when provided with appropriate support, most young people will work towards the realization of those dreams.”