When the COVID-19 pandemic became a state of emergency and everyone was ordered to stay home, 360°kids and our Employment Programs team immediately responded. Knowing we had one invaluable resource need to support already vulnerable young people in our community in navigating COVID 19, access to earning wages through programming.  Utilizing financial incentives to keeping youth connected and supported, fostering community while developing independence, encouraging them to not give up on employment goals but rather to keep focused on them, a path to not get lost in the land of isolation but instead build mental stability and plan for post-pandemic (re)entry to the workforce.

After gaining swift support from our funders, the Employment Team jumped into action.

How?

1. Workshop development including Public Health Ontario / World Health Organization/York Region information and resources links; EI/CERB application support; food banks; Naloxone availability and use should drug use increase.
2. Amending the delivery model of programs to increase time paid for attending group workshops when the availability of job placements quickly decreased or vanished as businesses closed or decreased hours.
3. Recreating all workshops for virtual delivery.  Becoming pros at Zoom, Skype, Google Classroom, while accessing resources already developed (i.e. Skills to Succeed Insight and Learning by Accenture).

Employment Programs by the Numbers

All of our employment programs continue to operate, with 86 participants registered and active as of April 8, 2020.
For the 3 week period beginning March 30^th and ending April 17^th, youth have participated in 2,484.5 hours of PAID employment and life skill workshops. 

At $14.00/hour, that’s $34,783 into the pockets of those most vulnerable and at-risk in our community!

How Base 4 Success Program has adapted to COVID-19

360ºkids has adapted our HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL Base 4 Success Program so that we can still help at risk and homeless youth find income during this time.

B4S is a 12 week paid employment program for youth who face barriers to employment. Through 168 hours of facilitated classroom pre-employment workshops and 192 hours of paid work placement opportunities, B4S has the potential to make a lasting impact towards sustainable employment for youth.

The next session of Base4Success begins May 4^th

How the Youth Job Connection Program has adapted to COVID-19

360ºkids has adapted our Youth Job Connection Program so that we can still help at risk and homeless youth find income and employment during this time.

YJCS supports secondary school students with multiple barriers through mandatory employability skills training and part-time employment opportunities, either throughout the summer or at a maximum of 10 hours per week during the school year. We guide and coach students to make positive educational and career choices as well as gain valuable work experience.

The next session of Youth Job Connection begins May 11^th

How Every the Bite Matters Program has adapted to COVID-19

360ºkids has adapted our Employment Program so that we can still help at risk and homeless youth find income and employment during this time. Every Bite Matters (EBM) is a 16-week paid employment program for youth who face barriers to employment and have interest in culinary skill development.

Participants are provided with certification opportunities for Smart Serve, WHMIS, Food Handlers and First Aid/CPR, as well as pre-employment workshops focused on job readiness and life skill development.

The next session of Every Bite Matters begins May 25^th

How the STEP Program has adapted to COVID-19

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus our staff have been working night and day to tailor our programs as best we can in order to continue to support youth and families who are in need.
STEP provides employment training and supports to youth with barriers and self-identify specifically with mental health challenges.

Through counselling, one-on-one job coaching and paid work placement opportunities, STEP has the potential to make a lasting impact towards sustainable employment for youth.

More about our Youth Employment Programs:

Please visit https://www.360kids.ca/programs-services/employment/ for more information and to access our Referral Form as we are actively accepting applications for all programs.