Victoria Immigrant & Refugee Centre Society

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SUMMARY

I-YES Project (Immigrant Youth’s Employment Steps) is funded by the Government of Canada under the scope of Group-Based Employability Skills of Employment Interventions for Youth within the Federal Skills Link program.

The primary objective of the I-YES project is to provide services and activities with a multicultural and client-centred approach based on an assessment of the specific needs of each individual youth to twelve immigrant youth-at-risk in the age group of 15-30 years old in the Capital Regional District. The ultimate objective is to help 12 project participants make positive changes in their life and increase their employability in the local labour market.
The 24 week pilot project starts on Oct. 4 10 and the end date of Mar. 18, 11
However, the first four weeks from Oct. 4 to Oct. 29 are for Start-Up, Planning and Intake Process and the last two-weeks from Mar. 7-19, 2011 are for closure.
The project offers the 18-week service delivery from Nov. 1, 2010 – March 4, 2011 (including two-week unpaid break during Christmas and New Year) for 12 participants (2 on the reserved potential dropouts during the first two weeks of service delivery).
Financial/living support: Participants will attend 6 hours/day or 30 hours/week and five days/week for 16 weeks. They will get pay bi-weekly at the rate $8.00/hour based on the actual hours of their actual participation. This is not a job. As a result no deduction will be made on the weekly payment
Other benefits: The first six weeks, participants will be provided lunch at the value of $5.00 per lunch per participant. Each participant will received a free bus pass for the first month.

What will the project offer for each participant?

Proposed Activities	Positive Impacts on Participants
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator 2 sessions	§ Awareness of their learning type and ability § Assessment of strengths and weaknesses in setting goals and making their individual action plan
Cultural workshops 2 workshops	§ Develop positive attitude toward two cultures. § Take pride in both mother culture and Canadian culture
Communication/Conflict Resolution 2 workshops	§ Have a positive way of dealing with conflicts § Solve conflicts in a non-confrontational manner
Life Skills 5 workshops	§ Gain positive attitude toward life and work § Be able to manage their daily living in an effective way
Job-Search Skills and Employment Maintenance 5 workshops	§ Gain basic job search skills and confidence in employment § Prepare themselves for searching and maintaining work
Career-cruising 2 workshops	§ Add a modern job search tool to their on-line tool box § Have a career portfolio online
Guest Speaker 2 Sessions	§ Develop positive thinking toward life and work
Employer Visit 2 Sessions	§ Connect to local employers and other job seekers § Understand employers’ hiring process and HR practices
Visits to local big businesses and community resource agencies. (6 trips)	§ Network with local employers and community agencies § Develop basic networking skills
01 week reception experience	§ Gain receptionist skills § Gain confidence in handling job
48-hour experience in organizing an event	§ Gain a wide range of organizational skills § Improve communication and marketing skills.
8 group field trips	§ Develop a positive attitude toward healthy lifestyle § Increase teamwork spirit
Cultural Gathering Night	§ Take pride in their own culture § Boost their cultural identity
Graduation Ceremony Night	§ Be proud of their success § Build the momentum for the next step