It was less than a year ago that 5th on 5th Youth Services got the bad news: the province was cutting its funding to the Youth Connections program.
Operating under the umbrella of Alberta Employment and Immigration, Youth Connections was carried out locally through 5th on 5th, helping "to prepare young people for learning and work by providing them with career and employment assistance," according to the program's website.
The end of provincial support left a big funding hole for the folks at 5th on 5th to fill. But they have soldiered on, tapping into other funding sources and continuing to provide valuable job assistance and career counselling to young people in the community. Last year, the non-profit organization had about 17,000 visits from youth clients.
The loss of $275,000 in Youth Connections program funding meant 5th on 5th had to set a record fundraising goal of $38,000 last year. This year, the goal is higher still, $45,000, in the organization's 16th annual Investing in Youth fundraising campaign, which culminates with the Taste of Lethbridge donors' dinner March 31.
Contributions to the campaign are just what the name suggests - an investment in youth. The money goes toward assisting young people in the community with finding their place in the workforce. Youth clients receive employment guidance such as help with crafting resumŽs, and learning how to search for jobs online.
5th on 5th programs help young people in a wide variety of ways. For example, the Group-Based Employability Skills program helps youth develop skills in employment, budgeting, nutrition and more. The Work Experience program provides the opportunity for clients to receive on-the-job training. The Ready, Set, Go! program assists newcomers to Canada in making a smooth transition by helping them improve their English language and math skills, and to develop skills needed for everyday life in southern Alberta.
Provincial decision-makers may not have felt the Youth Connections program was important enough to continue its funding, but make no mistake, the work done by 5th on 5th Youth Services is important. Investing in youth is an investment that pays dividends not only for the young people involved, but for the community as a whole.
Comment on this editorial online at www.lethbridgeherald.com/opinions/.