Youthab program refunded for another year

By Ashliegh Gehl

A summer jobs program aimed at giving local students vocational experience has been renewed, said Prince Edward-Hastings MPP Leona Dombrowsky.

Dombrowsky announced today the renewal of funding for Youthab, a provincially funded program designed to give youth between the ages of 15 and 18 the chance to experience vocations they are interested in pursuing.

Students spend six to seven weeks in July and August working for local businesses, non-profit organizations and police services.

The program has been running for three years and is already two weeks into the season.

Amanda Bolyea, Youthab’s youth coordinator, said the program is not guaranteed for funding next year.

Dombrowsky presented a $730,671 cheque to fund the program.

Rodney Barker, 17, is one of 170 students in the Quinte area participating in this year’s program. With only a few weeks of work at Shannonville Auto Upholstery, Barker said Youthab’s program has been instrumental in giving him the experience he needs.

“The best part about this program is that I get to do what I like,” he said. “And they help me find what I need to do to get there.”