The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) held a stakeholder meeting on Feb. 8 in partnership with Manitoba Aboriginal & Northern Affairs (ANA) to announce their intention to once again run their summer commuter program.
Representatives from an array of Thompson community groups and companies such as, Thompson Unlimited, Thompson Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures, Vale, and the Canadian Mental Health Association, were among those in attendance.
The summer commuter program has run for the past four years and is a means of assisting youth from outlying communities in finding and accessing gainful employment.
Charles Nyabeze, of Aboriginal & Northern Affairs, spoke of the problem of unemployment in outlying communities.
"We want to give the youth something to do," said Nyabeze, "this program gives youth the opportunity to experience not only the city, but having a job and responsibility."
For the past four years, the program has provided means of transportation to and from the communities of Wabowden and Nelson House; these communities, more often than not, do not have enough job opportunities, and as a result, hundreds of youth are unemployed.
Last year the program provided transportation to four youth from Wabowden and between eight and 12 from Nelson House.
A photo presentation, accompanied by some heartfelt testimonials from past participants lent to the success and value of the program.
"It's so great when I go in to the places where these youth are working and I see them smiling and enjoying their jobs," said MKO representative Freda Lepine, "I remember one student when she first started she was so shy, but this program really helped her come out of her shell."
As is the case with many community programs, the summer commuter program faces issues with funding. Nyabeze and Lepine have however, jumped out to an early start this year in an effort to collect funding and keep the program running smoothly.
"We've already been out in schools, trying to garner interest for the program and so far the response has been very positive," said Nyabeze, "we already have around 20 youth who have expressed an interest in this program, so us starting recruiting just over a month ago has allowed us some more preparation and planning time."
Due to funding once again, they commuter program is not able to support all who apply, and only those who pass through a screening process and are deemed to have the greatest interest will be selected from the group.
With more funding and support, more vehicles could be purchased, and more students could participate.
For the time being, Nyabeze says they are focused on their main goals of securing interest among communities and youth, establishing partnerships, assisting students in obtaining work, developing the work force and promoting youth empowerment.
This year, the program will be open to males and females between the ages of 16 and 29 and is proposed to launch July 10 and run through Aug. 18.
"We have more time this year to approach companies and get the ball rolling," said Nyabeze, "now we are taking the next steps in our requests for funding."
