July 28, 2023
Manitoba Government Providing $1.45 Million to Support Six Indigenous Youth Programs for Employment and Income Assistance Participants
– – –Funding will Help Community-Based Organizations Bridge Programming Gaps, Increase Opportunities for Indigenous Youth: Squires
The Manitoba government is providing $1.45 million through the Indigenous Youth Initiative to support six community-based programs that will help Indigenous youth aged 16 to 29, who are Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) participants and on their journey toward greater independence, Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.
“In our government’s continuing effort to modernize the EIA program, we identified client groups that would benefit from more targeted and culturally-appropriate programming to help them toward greater independence,” said Squires. “We found that Indigenous EIA clients aged 16 to 29 often have long-term dependence on EIA and after consulting Indigenous community leaders, we developed this funding program to help organizations provide programming designed to meet the unique needs of these underserved clients.”
Launched in February 2022, the first expression of interest (EOI) was established to fund community-based programs to bridge the gaps in available programming and increase opportunities for Indigenous youth to work towards increased financial independence and community inclusion. A second round of EOI was launched in December 2022.
Six organizations were selected to deliver programming:
- Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD)
- Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre – SUCCEED Connections Path to Employment
- Manitoba Moon Voices
- Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre
- Ready, Set, Go! Work Program
- Shawenim Abinoojii
“Ready, Set, Go, is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that exists to help close the employment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and provides opportunities for Indigenous youth to find meaningful employment,” said Crystal Irvine, executive director, Ready, Set, Go. “Funding through the Indigenous youth grant enables us to provide valuable hands-on training, work experience, and employment-bridging opportunities for marginalized youth to help connect them with their first job.”
The Manitoba government has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CARHD to support mutual Indigenous clients in pursuit of greater self-sufficiency, independence and sustainable employment aligned with labour market needs. The MOU provides delegated authority to CAHRD to recruit, assess, select and case manage program participants who receive financial support from the departments of Families and Economic Development, Investment and Trade.
“CAHRD is grateful for the Manitoba government’s commitment to supporting Indigenous youth through this generous funding. This investment makes a significant difference by enhancing opportunities for our community’s future leaders, said Heather McCormick, director of education and training, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development. “Our learner readiness program will provide culturally-relevant guidance to program participants equipping them with the necessary tools to embrace a path of self-sufficiency, wellness, and sustainable employment.”
The six programs will begin operation in 2023 and operate for one year from the date of launch, the minister noted.
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