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2012 JOB CAMP REPORT Presented to: Global Giving

By: Youth Employment Services YES

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GLOBAL GIVING 2012 JOB CAMP REPORT We would like to take this opportunity to thank Global Giving donors for your support of Youth Employment Services YES. With your generous gifts to our Job Camp program, we were able to deliver the Job Camp program to 115 youth in the past 12 months.

JOB CAMP PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Job Camp is a two week individually tailored personal development program for at-risk youth ages 15 to 30 who are disengaged from the labour market and are not in education, employment or training. It combines one-to-one job search support and group learning activities, delivered by a dedicated team in The Rotary Club of Toronto’s Centre for Youth Empowerment. The program helps young people who face a range of barriers through developing concrete employability and life skills. Job Camp is structured to accommodate all types of personalities and learning styles. The program focuses on group work, one-to-one assistance from counsellors and supported independent work. The program provides a supportive place where youth with barriers can feel comfortable and see a future for themselves through improved life skills and self-esteem. We assist participants in clarifying their goals, identifying their strengths and weaknesses and assessing their job opportunities or educational options. JOB CAMP OBJECTIVES The objectives of the program are to reduce youth unemployment and enhance economic development in Toronto by assisting 150 at-risk and vulnerable unemployed youth to acquire employability skills in order to be successful in finding and maintaining employment. SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES:

- Provide a welcoming place where youth with barriers feel comfortable - Assist at-risk unemployed youth to clarify goals, identify strengths and access job

opportunities, educational options, training programs and or community resources - Increase participant’s employability skills - Help keep at-risk youth off the streets and out of trouble

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

- Empower and prepare participants to become productive, self-sustaining members of society who contribute to the economic growth of their communities

- Improve life skills and self-esteem of participants - Enable vulnerable youth to see a future for themselves in the world of work - Lessen strain on social services

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JOB CAMP PROGRAM OUTCOMES 2012 The 2012 success rate of this program is truly inspiring. Last year a total of 115 youth each participated in a total of 12 Job Camp workshops (including 4 guest speakers) over a 2 week period. Of the 115 youth Job Camp served last year 87, or 76.3%, completed this program and went on to employment, training, or back to school. Three months after the program an incredible 80% were still working, enrolled in training or were still in school. Outcome after Program Completion Employed full-time 54 or 47.4% Employed part-time 14 or 12.3% Apprenticeship 1 or 0.9% In Education or training 15 or 13.2% Both employed and in training 3 or 2.6% Unemployed 15 or 13.1% Lost Contact 12 or 10.5% These young people come to our office feeling frustrated, angry and hopeless about their situation. They leave empowered with a new sense of self-worth and value, and the skills needed to find work and stay employed!

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JOB CAMP PROGRAM PARTICIPANT PROFILE 2012

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2012 JOB CAMP SUCCESS STORIES

James’ Success Story I came to YES in February of 2012 when I was unemployed with absolutely no prospects or experience within the city at all. I had no money for expenses and no money for rent and was in a horrible position after leaving school. I gave it a shot and it was the best decision I have made since moving to Toronto. The Job Camp program kept me on my feet and motivated to find work, and I did. In just under a week and a half I had an interview with one of my favourite employers and was hired days later. I am now working 5 days a week and loving what I do. The people at YES are amazing at what they do and they will find you a job if you are motivated and work with them.

Rachel’s Success Story When I first entered the Job Camp program at YES I was on the verge of losing my apartment and in between schools. With the help of Job Camp I was able to revamp my resume and interview skills thus boosting my confidence to put myself out there on the job market. Within the second week of Job Camp I had 2 interviews and was hired on the spot at Alimento Fine Foods. Working there enabled me to keep my apartment and I've already saved enough to pay for my first semester of college. Without programs like these I wouldn't be where I am today.

Anita’s Success Story Before getting to YES, I was jobless and not having success finding a job because I feel that I did not have the skills or knowledge to find work. I found the number for YES on a flyer at local community centre and called. I got put into the Job Camp Program. They taught me how to improve my resume, cover letter, interview skills and how to best to locate jobs. I feel like my job searching improved 100% and I am now getting calls returned by employers and interviews!

James, Job Camp Participant

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I found out about YES when I was younger and on social assistance. but I found out about Job Camp from a friend on Facebook. I had a lot of interviews but I never got call backs afterwards. I was job hunting every day of the week but I was lacking some very important skills that are key to getting work. I gained a lot of valuable skills and learned a lot of information that helped me get my job. If I had not come to Job Camp I am fairly certain I would still be job hunting. My Career Counsellor and Job Developer were amazing in teaching me and helping me to get work. They gave me the support and encouragement even though I was having a hard time.

-Ben, Job Camp Participant My life was hard before YES because I didn’t have any direction in finding work since I dropped out of school… bills were really getting unmanageable… A friend told me that going to YES works. Since I’ve been here I have learned how to do effective job searching and they give you the tools to be successful.

-Anthony, Job Camp Participant I found about YES through their subway ads and their website. I didn’t know how to make a resume, cover letter, thank you letter or a reference list so acquiring a job was hard. YES helped to: Motivate me. Inform me. Got friends. Got a job. Thank you YES! - Sheila, Job Camp Participant