Scotiabank generously matched every dollar raised from the event.

For more information on Family Transition Place, visit their website.

David Tilson

Tilson demonstrated his ongoing support and congratulations to a program that continues to assist and support youth facing employment barriers, develop life and job skills to ease transition to work, or return to school.

The Step Up program has assisted 109 youth within Dufferin County since July 2008. It has continually met targets set out by the Skills Link project of supporting at-risk youth under the age of 30 by facilitating key workshops to assist them in succeeding in today’s labour market.

“The Step Up Program provides an opportunity for youth to explore their career choices, learn workplace skills and connect with local employers,” said Barbara Moore, Step Up program facilitator for the College’s Centre for Career and Employment Services.

“After participating in this type of program, youth are more confident in their skills and have greater success in finding and keeping a job, which has long-term effects on youth, their families and the community. Georgian is excited to be able to continue to offer this program in 2010-2011 to youth in Dufferin County”

“The Step Up program is a valuable tool in our community and I’ve seen the positive results first hand. Because of the Step Up program, I’m a more assertive and confident person, ready to start a more successful phase of my life. I hope that many others like me will continue to benefit from the Step Up Program,” said participant Megan Gravel.

Skills Link is delivered by Service Canada, part of a federal strategy to create the world’s best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce.

Employment programs at Georgian College’s Centre for Career and Employment Services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who provide assistance in resume, cover letter creation, job search techniques and more.

For more information about the federal Step Up program, visit http://www.georgianc.on.ca/dufferinjobs/.

PHOTO: Back row, from left: Connie Baxter, program support; David Forbes, Regional Campus Manager and Community Relations; MP David Tilson, MP for Dufferin-Caledon; and Barbara Moore, Program Facilitator Support; Front row: participants Sarah Ellies, Carly Smith, Megan Grave and Kevin O’Rourke.

David Tilson

Funding for the Step Up Program will help 45 Dufferin County youth facing employment barriers prepare for and find meaningful employment or return to school.

“The Step Up Program provides an opportunity for youth to explore their career choices, learn workplace skills and connect with local employers,” said Brenda Burman, Co-ordinator for the College’s Centre for Career and Employment Services. “After participating in this type of program, youth are more confident of their skills and have greater success in finding and keeping a job. Georgian is excited to be able to offer this program to youth in Dufferin County.”

Skills Link and the Step Up Program are delivered by Service Canada, which provides one-stop personalized services for Government of Canada programs, services and benefits. For more information about the Step Up Program, call 1-800-O-Canada, visit http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca or drop by your local Service Canada Centre.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS AT GEORGIAN

Youth employment programs at Georgian are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professional career counsellors, youth advisors and job developers who provide assistance in resumé and cover letter creation, job search techniques and more.

For more information on the Step Up Program at Georgian College, e-mail Brenda Burman at bburman@georgianc.on.ca.

Pictured: Students in the Step Up Program celebrate news of additional funding for the youth employment program at Georgian’s Orangeville Campus. Also pictured: Barb Moore, Facilitator, Step Up Program (far left) and Connie Baxter, Program Support Worker, Step Up Program (far right).

Starting in March, the staff at 22 Centennial Rd. and 51 Townline divided into two teams and started gathering pennies. The goal was to compete and see which team could gather the most pennies over six weeks and bring them to the staff meeting on April 7.

The winners were children in Third and Fourth World Countries who receive the bed kits. The total number of pennies gathered was 17,500 and five bed kits were purchased with the pennies.

“Why pennies? Some see pennies as insignificant – we throw them in a jar, and sometimes don’t wait if we are only getting pennies back in change, but these pennies, in six short weeks, will provide bed kits for five children that would otherwise sleep on the bare ground,” explained Dave Forbes, Campus Manager. “The Orangeville Team is an amazing group and steps up to any challenge when it comes to helping others!”

Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) donations provide bed kits to children of any race and/or religion who will benefit the most; typically being located in underdeveloped and developing countries. No portion of a bed kit donation is spent on administration – 100 per cent reaches a needy child.

Each $35 donation (Canadian funds) provides a bed kit  consisting of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies.

Bed kit contents vary from country to country depending upon local needs. Since its founding by Murray and Margaret Dryden in 1970, SCAW has raised over $20 million to provide bed kits for over 900,000 children in 33 countries. In 2009, the organization will reach its millionth child.

“This is great news for local students,” says campus manager Dave Forbes.

“Students previously had to go to Toronto, Brampton or Barrie to take the full-time program. Now they can study at home, save money and stay connected to local employers.”

The Orangeville Campus already offers a part-time Practical Nursing program, but the new full-time offering will allow students to receive their diploma in less than two years. The fast-track program will include five consecutive semesters, starting in January 2010 and finishing in the summer of 2011.

“The Practical Nursing program offered by Georgian College is second to none. Our program offers anyone interested in a career in health care the opportunity to gain unique and valuable experiences in a mutually supportive environment,” says Julian Faulkner, Health Science program co-ordinator.

“Practical Nursing is a great choice for a first, second or even third career. Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) have the opportunity to work in diverse health environments. Some of our recent graduates have obtained jobs in emergency departments, obstetrics, long-term care and home care. RPNs are a valued part of the health care team and I foresee even more exciting opportunities for RPNs as health care and technology continues to evolve.”

Georgian’s current Practical Nursing programs boast one of the highest placement rates in Ontario, consistently in excess of 90 percent each year. Hospitals in Peel, Dufferin, Wellington and Simcoe counties are in need of Practical Nurses, which should be attractive to grads wishing to train and work close to home. Students experience practicums, offering a great range of practical experience.

Georgian’s Nursing program philosophy focuses on the concept of caring. In the classroom, students learn about the care of clients, families, and groups in a variety of settings.

When the final numbers and weights were tallied, the Orangeville Campus raised the most food collecting more than 1,700 items and more than 600 pounds worth of food.

The participating campuses were thankful they were able to provide food for those in need in their own community and look forward to carrying on the tradition next year.

Photo courtesy of Snap Dufferin.