Board of Directors
Executive

President: Norma McCormick
Vice President: John Nesbitt
Past-President:Al Burrows
Secretary: Linda Tyack
Treasurer: Joyce Laidler

Directors

Graham Gork
Valdene de Vries
Carol Hillier
Naomi Blake
Michael Walker
Suzanne Pelletier
Jennifer Glen
Alan Vilar
Daniel Edwards
Roxroy West
Scott Paterson
Patrick Bowman

 		Staff Board Reps

Lynn Purvis
Irene Regehr
Al Hammond
Robert Cleveland

Thompson Advisory

Glen Rosse
John Donovan
Kathy Jenson
Elaine Karpick
Rene Kastrukoff
Ernie Konrad
Donna Lulashnyk
Harold Macdonald
Cheryl Martinez
Jeff McIntyre
Terry Skarban
Const. Calista McLeod
Cylene Rainville
during the seven day annual Boo at the Zoo program.

The study (available on MYS? website) identified certain characteristics which contributed to a successful and youth-friendly worksite environment. Youth survey responses indicated that youth enjoyed working in an environment which provided an opportunity for enjoyable social interaction between staff, mentors and other youth.

In all cases, CSSP staff and mentors created and maintained a relaxed and energetic work environment. This was achieved through a 		non-authoritarian team approach which encouraged participation by all parties.

The Project Group (TPG) evaluation confirms several important benefits of the CSSP. It is a program which allows youth to acquire useful and practical work skills while gaining a sense of accomplishment and pride through successful participation. In addition, CSSP staff and mentors have noted significant improvement in youth in the development of life skill areas such as caring, punctuality and the ability to work as part of a team. Meanwhile, many tangible benefits have been realized in the community as a whole through the meaningful contribution of CSSP youth participants.
Minister Bradshaw Visits Skyline Recycling
uring July of this year, The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Federal Minister of Labour, undertook a cross Canada information gathering process regarding the issue of homelessness. The Federal Government is taking an increasing role in looking for solutions to this problem. While many groups in our community struggle with this issue, Macdonald Youth Services focuses on the issue as it impacts youth.

Ulysses Desrochers, Executive Director of Macdonald Youth Services (MYS), and Chari Arsenault, Supervisor of the Youth Resource Centre, were invited to attend a meeting of many community groups with Minister Bradshaw to discuss this issue. Homelessness is very directly related to poverty and access to affordable housing options. Whether it is clients of the Youth Resource Centre, the ITS Program or Skyline
Federal Minister of Labour, the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw (R), talks with Skyline participants.

 Recycling and Life Train, we are well aware of the difficulties youth face in establishing themselves independently.

We were very pleased that Minister Bradshaw was also able to include a visit (pictured above) to Skyline Recycling in her itinerary. Skyline Recycling is a youth employment program administered by MYS in partnership with Winnipeg Harvest. Funding for Skyline Recycling is provided by Human Resources Development Canada through their Youth Service Canada Program, Manitoba Education and Training through their Youth NOW Program and the Winnipeg Development Agreement. Skyline Recycling also generates most of its operating expenses by running a recycling business in the downtown area of Winnipeg. Revenue comes from service fees and sale of the material collected. Over the past few years it has provided many opportunities for youth to gain ?hands on? employment skills and move into fulltime employment. 		One of the key issues in maintaining employment is safe, affordable, stable housing.Whether it is finding an apartment, dealing with an eviction, knowing your rights as a tenant, or moving furniture, the Skyline staff team is able to support participants in addressing this issue. Finding appropriate affordable housing available to youth is often a major challenge.

Minister Bradshaw?s visit provided Skyline Recycling participants with an opportunity to speak directly about the situations they face and issues affecting them.This kind of input often gets missed in a consultation process. Minister Bradshaw?s own background, prior to becoming involved in politics, was working in the social service sector so she knows first hand some of the difficulties and frustrations faced. She is committed to action as opposed to more study so we look forward to the results of her involvement in this process.
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