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Grant geared toward employment

Mentorship program to put youth with developmental difficulties in touch with businesses

Youth with developmental barriers will have the opportunity to better their chances of employment with a new Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS) Mentorship Employment Program in Whistler. The Vancouver Foundation, the largest of Canada's community foundations, is providing a grant of $30,000 to SCSS to be used to improve the professional contributions of youth and young adults.

"Our goal is to break down barriers for youth to engage meaningfully in their communities and in the workplace - celebrating abilities instead of disabilities can inspire all of us," said SSCS Executive Director Lois Wynne.

The program will be designed to put youth in touch with the business community to show what meaningful contributions can be made by both sides.

The program launch is set for September 2011.

"This is about getting a job," said Faye Wightman, president and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation. "A job is so much more than just a pay cheque. It's an important source of self-esteem, of satisfaction in a job well done, of ongoing education, of growth, of interaction with other people, and the community at-large. It's also a measure of achievement."

For more information on the Youth Mentorship Employment Program, contact Community Living Services Manager Donna Bent at donna.bent@sscs.ca or phone 604-892-5796.  For more information on Sea to Sky Community Services programs, visit www.sscs.ca .