Mackenzie's Story, UYES Partnership, Goals Project, Retirement Planning and Halloween Fun! No Images? Click here OCTOBER 2018Every day, we help individuals take the small steps toward their big dreams! Read about our new incentives project and how it's helping individuals achieve their goals. Meet Mackenzie in this month's Learner Story and find out about exciting new programs and opportunities for youth at the Learning Exchange. Learner Story: Mackenzie Arseneault In September 2018, I decided to come to the Learning Exchange to get my GED. I struggled for 4 years to finish high school after having my daughter at 16 years old. To my surprise, I was given the opportunity to earn my high school diploma through the GOALS program, and of course, I jumped on that. Little did I know this was the beginning of a brand new life for my family and I. Since I started coming to the Learning Exchange, not only did I build an amazing resume due to the work opportunities I have been offered, I have also improved immensely in my teamwork and communication skills. Our class has been given experiences that we wouldn't necessarily get on our own; we've conquered fears and built relationships. To speak for myself, I have managed to achieve my driver's permit, First Aid & CPR, Work Safety and WHMIS training, and have work experiences in a kitchen and a woodworking shop, through Outflow. I am currently working at Stone Soup Cafe a few days a week and will be starting the WESLinks Program in a few weeks. In the Spring I will be doing a women's empowerment program which will finish up in time for me to get into Majestany Institute for September 2019. I would like to start my own business by or before 2025! The time I have spent at the Learning Exchange has changed EVERYTHING about my life. I want to wake up in the morning. I want to socialize and feel like I'm part of something. I have to say a huge thank you to my teacher, Kate and my skills coach, Erin for all of their support and encouragement throughout. Funding Announcement: Scaling Opportunities for SJ Youth to Overcome Barriers and Gain Education and Skills for Employment We are so pleased to be partnering with the Human Development Council (HDC), Teen Resources Centre (TRC), Outflow and the Saint John Community Loan Fund (SJCLF) on an initiative to support youth in our city to advance in their education and employment goals. On October 11th, people invested in the success of youth in our city gathered at Outflow's Waterloo St. training centre for the funding announcement by MP Wayne Long. The HDC received $2.7 million to fund the 4 principle partners in scaling the important work they are already doing to advance youth with barriers to education and employment. Several of the 100 youth already registered in UYES are accessing academic learning, employment training and soft skills coaching through programs at the Learning Exchange. To read more about the UYES project: http://sjhdc.ca/in-other-news-.html Rewarding Successes: Incentives for Goal Achievement Moves People Forward All program participants at the Learning Exchange are now eligible to earn money for accomplishing SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) goals through our Incentive Project, and many are off to the races! > 5 people have secured their driver’s permit (and had the cost covered through the project!). > Over 20 people have earned $200 each in incentives for becoming employed. > Many participants are pursuing unique goals like participating in a 6-week mindfulness course, volunteering with Saint John Ambulance, and organizing the Canada Learning Bond for their child. Precious, a participant in the BEST program, has been successful in achieving various goals, from obtaining her food handling and safety designation to convincing her employer to apply to be an AIPP (Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program) designated employer, so that she can pursue Permanent Residency. “Setting and reaching these goals is really encouraging. I’ve always wanted to be a nurse, so working with my Coach and Facilitator has given me the support to take steps to apply for my language tests, and given me hope that I can reach that big goal. It’s a great chance for me to achieve what I want. I want to do something where I can help people.” Precious is now preparing to write the IELT (language exam) in December, and to get her GED. “My next goal is to get my GED. The GED is refreshing my memory academically, teaching me Canadian aspects of education and exposing me to geography and other areas and it will enable me to get into nursing.” Halloween Fun at the Social Enterprise Hub! Ginny, one of our CALP facilitators and Lily, a COOP student from St. Mac's outdid themselves again this Halloween by organizing a pumpkin carving contest at the Hub. Lots of learners and staff had fun dressing up too! Fair Compensation For Non-Profit Workers ~ SJLE Signs On As A First 50 Employer With Common Good Executive Director, Christina Fowler, has signed on as one of the First 50 Employers supporting the Common Good Retirement Initiative. Common Good is working to bring greater security and financial equity to the non-profit sector. This initiative is looking to create a retirement plan for the non-profit and charitable sector in Canada. The Learning Exchange is proud to join this national effort. If you are looking for support achieving your academic or employment goals, The Learning Exchange has a program for you. Our staff and facilitators are ready to learn about your unique goals and help you create an individualized plan for success!
The Learning Exchange is a leader of social innovation in our community. We have created a number of services for the socially minded consumer. We pride ourselves in looking outside the box to provide our customers and program participants with the highest quality service. Our bottom line at The Learning Exchange has always been the success of every individual that walks through our doors. When people reach their full potential, our whole community benefits. We seek to share these stories in hopes of inspiring new stories of success and community engagement. |