Young people are gaining life skills and hands-on training that’s helping transform their lives through Nanaimo Foodshare’s Home Grown program.
Participants gain certification in Food Safe, Superhost, WHMIS, first aid and more. Program coordinators and employers also help them learn communication and conflict resolution skills, time and financial management, and other skills they can use on the job and in their daily lives.
For Willow Detta-Coulson, 20, the program changed her plans for the future.
She previously wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but decided to become a horticulturalist after working at Compassion Farm in Lantzville last year. She’s attending Vancouver Island University in pursuit of her goal.
“It gave me a huge lift and motivation,” said Detta-Coulson, about how the program inspired her to continue her education .
Prior to participating in Home Grown, she was out of work for two years, dealing with health issues.
“I had a lot of barriers when I first started,” she said.
But Detta-Coulson worked through her barriers and was recognized by Foodshare with its personal growth and achievement award.
One aspect Detta-Coulson liked about the program is the conversations between the employees, employers and program staff to discuss how they can help the employee succeed.
Sky Wilson, 20, said getting certification in areas such as first aid and WHMIS gave her more confidence when she approaches employers because she has more skills to offer.
“It’s a good foundation, I guess, to get you going in whatever direction you want to get going in,” she said.
Stephen Cochrane, program coordinator, said it’s unique because it focuses on giving participants job training, but also incorporates a life skills component.
“This program has the opportunity to really transform a person’s life,” said Cochrane.
The program helps youth between the ages of 15 and 30, who are out of school and might face employment barriers, to gain hands-on work experience with community employers. Cochrane said participants work with coaches, employers and others to manage issues or barriers they face.
The 30-week program connects youth to employment opportunities in small-scale agriculture, horticulture and the food service industry. Participants receive a training allowance during the initial first six weeks and then for the remaining 24-weeks receive minimum wage, working 35 hours a week.
Nanaimo Foodshare has partnerships with about 50 companies, without which the program wouldn’t be able to function.
reporter3@nanaimobulletin.com
Home Grown Sider
Nanaimo Foodshare’s Home Grown program gives youth facing barriers hands-on work experience and life-skills training.
The program, aimed at youth ages 15-30, focuses on providing training to out-of school youth. The 30 week program provides six weeks of training and classroom workshops where participants earn certifications in Foodsafe, World Host, Serving it Right, first aid, WHMIS and more. The remaining 24 weeks are spent on the job.
The program was created by Nanaimo Foodshare and is funded through the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. The current Home Grown program is full; however, Nanaimo Foodshare is taking names for a waitlist for the next intake which begins in August 27.
For more information please contact Nanaimo Foodshare Society at 250-753-9393.