Windsor youth employment programs receive $3M from Ottawa

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The federal government is investing more than $3 million to help hundreds of youth find job opportunities in Windsor-Essex County.
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MP Irek Kusmierczyk (L — Windsor-Tecumseh), alongside representatives from Women’s Enterprise Skills Training (WEST) of Windsor, Family Fuse, and the New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence (NCCE), announced Thursday that Ottawa has committed $3,085,368 through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program.
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“The Government of Canada is making sure that every young person in Windsor-Essex and in Canada gets access to the skills and experience they need to build a bright future,” Kusmierczyk said in a statement.
Out of over 1,000 applications received, three Windsor-Essex projects were among the 200 approved for federal funding. The grant will support WEST of Windsor, Family Fuse, and NCEE in launching programs design to help young people aged 15-30 tackle obstacles to entering the workforce.
“We understand the significant impact of empowering youth by enhancing their skills and confidence, leading to improved employment outcomes,” said WEST executive director Rose Anguiano Hurst. “Through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program, we leverage our organizational strengths, utilizing a robust partnership model that includes in class training and supports, networking opportunities with local businesses, and paid work placements for our participants.”
Windsor’s WEST will receive $1,762,000 to assist 136 youth over four years with wrap-around supports such as counselling, nutritional support, transportation assistance and more.
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Family Fuse is partnering with the UHC – Hub of Opportunities on a $423,368 project that will support 33 youth, including serving at least 50 per cent of youth that have a disability. The New Canadians’ Centre of Excellence will help 69 youth with $900,000 in YESS funding, providing individualized supports such as emergency food, housing resources, and legal services.
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“These three new community-led projects are great examples of how the federal government can work together with local organizations to create opportunities for young people and ensure they hit the ground running when they start their careers here in Windsor and Essex County,” Kusmierczyk said.

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