Young entrepreneurs just say YEAH!

Mennonite Central Committee
Thursday, 29 March 2001

Have you been looking for work but haven't found anything satisfying? Do employers tell you that you don't have enough experience? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to start a business? If your answer to any of these questions is "yes" then here is something for you to cheer about.

Young Entrepreneurs of Agassiz Harrison (YEAH) is a new project that will give 12 young people between the ages of 16 and 30 a chance to try their hands at starting a business. The project, which is funded by HRDC through Youth Services Canada, will put together a team that will learn business start-up skills and design a small business from the ground up. Through the experience, they will gain communications and computer skills, personal management, team building and recognized certificates in First Aid, WHMIS, and SuperHost.

"Our goal is for these young people to develop a better understanding of what it takes to run a business," says program developer John Dawson. "We want to help them develop the skills they need to find a connection to the world of work. All of the participants will make better employees because they will understand what it takes to make a business succeed."

In addition to starting the business, participants will work on a park project with the Fraser Valley Regional District. They will receive a stipend of $228 per week for the 24-week program and a $500 bonus for completing the 6-month term.

"This can be a life-changing opportunity for twelve individuals," Dawson says. If you want more information on how you can be a part of this exciting opportunity, just call Ecoworks at (604) 852 8524 or fax your resume to (604) 852 0347 or e-mail it to ecoworks@mccbc.com .

Young Entrepreneurs of Agassiz Harrison is being delivered by MCC Employment Development in partnership with Agassiz Harrison Community Services, The Fraser Valley Regional District and the Business Development Centre of Community Futures Corp of the North Fraser.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org