“Being a youth is recognizably difficult, especially when your relationship with yourself is not loving, but we see that being able to work through some of those issues with your peers in an accepting environment leads to more self-acceptance amongst the youth and, ultimately, confidence,” says Rachel, one of the facilitators for our Bladerunners youth employment program.
Bladerunners is a provincially funded program, offering employment supports for youth aged 15 – 30 who face multiple barriers to employment. These barriers could include housing instability, mental health challenges, is or was a youth in care, criminal justice involvement, incomplete high school education, or lived or living experience of substance use. Our program encompasses the values of harm reduction and thoughtful community impact.
The program provides job readiness skills such as interview role-plays and resume building, certification like WHMIS, First Aid Level 1, and Serving it Right, job coaching and support, workplace communication skills, life skills training and job placement opportunities.
“One of the sessions we felt had a strong impact was when three Lift staff from three different generations shared their life-long work experiences and how they came to find their favourite work at Lift. We talked about working in non-profits vs corporate settings, and the entire spectrum in between. It was funny, moving, honest, and real, and the participants were fully engaged! It created a strong sense of teamwork and trust between the group and the facilitators,” says Jessica, our program manager.
Rebecca was a participant in our January 2023 cohort and the course left her feeling better prepared and more confident to look for work. “I found the program to be a complete success for me.”
Rebecca participated in the 3-week program along with five other youth. “Everyone in and running the program was super welcoming and supportive. Together they created a safe space where ideas and learning thrived.”
Not long after the program ended, Rebecca got hired on as a baker at 32 Lakes Bakery. “Bladerunners gave me access to the skills and certification I needed to apply, and later receive my job as a baker. I would have never believed I was capable of being a baker because I’m self-taught, but throughout the course they made me realize I can have a job and love it too.”
Lift hosts this training twice per year. If you know a youth who could benefit from this support, reach out at crc@liftcommunityservices.org, or 604-414-9880.