Renewed funding for the March of Dimes youth program

NEWS RELEASE

MARCH OF DIMES CANADA

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March of Dimes Canada wishes to thank the Government of Canada for their dedication and commitment to the youth of our province, and the Honourable Member Dr. Kellie Leitch and the Honourable Member Mr. Bryan Hayes for taking time out of their busy schedules to announce renewed funding for the Skills Link Achieving Success program today at their 550 Queen St. West, Suite 103 location.

March of Dimes is a community-based rehabilitation and advocacy organization for people with disabilities.  

Our goal is to enhance the independence and community participation of people with disabilities through a wide range of programs and services across the country. 

We are a one-stop service provider, helping our consumers achieve or sustain independence and remain active in their communities.

We enjoy a wonderful and effective working relationship with the government of Canada. 

Without their funding support and the support of our employer partners - this Skills Link Achieving Success program for our youth would not be possible.

Our Skills Link Achieving Success program has been in operation within March of Dimes several years now, starting in our Northwest Thunder Bay office and expanding into our Northeast Region, which includes Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie.

As we embark on our fifth year of funding, the Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie offices have partnered to enhance cost effectiveness and service efficiencies in our deliverables and outcomes. 

With these dollars, we will provide 48 youth, ages 15 to 30 who face barriers to employment (such as lack of work experience, a learning disability, low education level, low self-confidence), with the opportunity to change their lives and make a difference in our community.

We strive to find the right match between our employers and our youth.

With a good work ethic and a willingness to learn, many of these youth will retain their jobs beyond the work experience opportunity, or some may return to school, opening other doors to a successful and rewarding future.

Mr. Rod Goodall, general manager and owner of Final Touch Janitorial Services, has been an employer partner with March of Dimes for many years. 

As an employer, Rod has tapped into this labour pool of reliable and dependable youth. 

He has enjoyed the benefits and value of this program. 

He notes: “We’ve  sourced many good employees, who just needed preparation help and a chance to prove themselves. There is always great communication and follow up, as well as the monitoring of a new hire’s progress. These and other strong efforts are providing a solid service to both client and employers alike!”

Jessica McSherry is a graduate of the Skills Link Achieving Success program and has become a “shining star” within Final Touch. 

Mr. Goodall describes Jessica as “reliable, enthusiastic, and tries her best at all times. We are proud to have Jessica as part of our staff.”  

Jessica states: “One of the big benefits of the Skills Link program is you get to take small, gradual steps to prepare for a job. This program has helped me get a job I enjoy and with a good company, and the satisfaction of working and earning a paycheck has greatly boosted my self-confidence and personal well-being. I would highly recommend that any young person who has some barriers to employment give it a try.” 

Mr. Goodall sums up the partnership as a “win, win, win situation for client, employer and March of Dimes all being successful.”

For more information about March of Dimes Skills Link Achieving Success program, or services in general, please call 705-945-1044.

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