We’re sending out a big congratulations to the new graduates of our YES (Youth Employment Skills) Group. This group was made possible thanks to the RBC Future Launch program. RBC Future Launch funding helps young people access meaningful employment through work experience, skills development and networking.

Stella’s Circle offered this pre-employment skills training and leadership group to young adults under the age of 30 who face barriers to inclusion in our community. These barriers include mental illness, addictions, trauma, poverty, homelessness, low literacy, and unemployment. The YES group took place safely in-person throughout the fall of 2020 and concluded with a celebration on December 11, 2020.

The group focus was to prepare participants for the workforce, and equip them to maintain work in the future. Learning took place in a variety of group settings. For instance, they visited a cafe, carpentry shop, and community garden.

Participants developed important workplace skills over the 12 weeks. For example, they worked on assertive communications, stress management, financial literacy, goal setting, career exploration, and job maintenance. These young adults benefited from mentoring and professional networks made available through the Stella’s Circle Employment Services Division, additionally.

We were delighted that Luke O’Brien, VP, Portfolio Management & Wealth Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities was able to attend the graduation ceremony. (Pictured here with Rob McLennan, our Director of Employment Services.)