We know that for youth to succeed, they need access to career and job training that will help them secure a job and get a “foot in the door” to the career of their choice. While they learn work skills, our staff can provide counselling, job placement assistance, housing search support, mentorship opportunities, follow-up support and a range of other services to help youth achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
The goal of the Eva’s Phoenix Employment and Training Program is to provide homeless and at-risk youth with skills-based, experiential training that can help them identify career goals, access hands-on training, connect with on-the-job training placement or entry-level employment, and ultimately earn sufficient income to make the transition into interdependent living.
Develop personal action plans on how to meet their employment goals
Learn job readiness skills including resume and cover letter writing and interview skills
With job searching and applications for employment and training programs
Connect with industry specific training programs and build technical skills
Access trainings including WHMIS, Smart Serve, Food Handlers, and other relevant trainings
Access on-the-job training placements and/or entry-level employment through job development support
Receive follow up support for a minimum of six months once employed
Our on-site printing studio, Eva’s Phoenix Print Shop is an excellent training and working environment that is well respected by the printing industry. Our residents can learn practical printing skills that will prepare them for well-paying jobs that are enjoyable to do. We offer:
Printing and Graphics Skills Training including Adobe Creative Suite
Customer Service and Sales Training
Connection to a full time job
Long term support
The Graphic Communication and Print Training Program is designed to provide homeless and at-risk youth with career preparation support and skills training to help them overcome barriers to employment and access entry-level jobs, which will allow them to secure housing and transition to independent living.
Through Eva’s Phoenix Print Shop, our on-site social enterprise, youth have access to a 8-week comprehensive training program that introduces them to the pillars of the graphics industry. The program provides youth with hands-on training in Computer Graphics, Wide Format Printing, Customization of T-Shirts, Digital Imaging and Bindery, along with training in soft skills such as time management, attention to detail, problem solving, planning and communications. Youth are assisted with employment mentoring, career opportunities, internships and on-going support as they establish themselves in their career. This program is offered to eight youth per batch with four batches per year: a total of 32 youth participate in the program annually.
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At Eva’s Youth Succeeding in Employment Program (YSEP), we work closely with youth to seek out their passions and aspirations and then work with them to build a career-based action plan that is driven by that passion.
YSEP begins with a 5-week employment preparation component called Career Exploration and Preparation. During this component, 8 youth will be hired to participate in a 5-week series of employ-ability and career-exploration workshops. Participants are paid a training stipend of minimum wage, work 30-hours Monday to Friday and develop important skill-sets that raise their profiles on topics ranging from personality dimensions, budgeting, team work, communication to networking the hidden job market. Through supportive employment counseling and individualized action plans, participants increase their awareness on how to become the type of worker they want to be while preparing for the second component of the program which is called the Work Experience Placement.
This second phase is designed to give youth a real-life glimpse into a chosen career. Participants are matched with an employer of their choice and placed for up to 12-weeks based on their individual career goals. Each participant can work 35 hours per week and will be guaranteed a starting salary of minimum wage. Throughout this phase, participants receive guidance and support from YSEP staff to ensure that they’re meeting the goals and objectives created in their action plan. As well, access to continued training, tools and materials are available as additional supports. This innovative model links ambitious youth with employers seeking motivated staff and provides youth with vital experience and information related to their desired career.
Past placements have included positions within the business administration, hospitality, customer service, information technology, social services and skilled trades industries.
Upon completion of a placement, YSEP staff will facilitate a performance appraisal with the focus of permanent employment in mind.
Finally, YSEP understands that the road to employment is a long one. The key is not to give up if one approach doesn’t work. YSEP believes in working with youth and employers to create a plan of success. That is why Eva’s follows up on its YSEP graduates on a regular basis for up to a year, and provides assistance to link them to other community supports and resources once they leave the program.
Goal: connect every young person in our care with educational opportunities to equip and prepare them with academic credentials and skills, which lead to work opportunities and sustainable housing.
Eva’s Education Program was created in 2014 to respond to the stated needs and desires of young people served by Eva’s. They recognized the importance of better education to improved employment, housing, and quality of life outcomes. Housed at Eva’s Phoenix transitional housing and employment training facility, the Education Program facilitates reintegration of homeless youth with academic programs and assists them to plan toward their educational goals as they move toward living independently in the community.
Some youth who participate in the program have dropped out of high school and/or have not been able to pursue post-secondary programs. Most face multiple barriers and lack the resources needed to access education. Some have not been in formal academic settings for a while and some have had negative experiences in school settings such as bullying and curricula that doesn’t reflect their communities and histories. As such, we provide homeless youth specialized supports they need to re-engage with education and grow in confidence and knowledge as they navigate school systems in pursuit of their learning goals.
Through the Education Program, youth gain:
access to supports and resources that help them re-engage and/or continue with education
help with identifying academic interests and setting academic goals
support with developing and implementing their own individual learning plans
help with enrolling in General Education Development (GED) programs and securing their GED
confidence to pursue higher education
help with exploring post-secondary education options and determining which are best-suited to them
support with pre-admission English/math tests for mature students
support with academic applications (e.g. securing transcripts/reference letters; interview preparation)
insight into post-secondary life and maintaining balance while pursuing school
understanding of financial aid options (e.g. scholarships, bursaries, student loans) and help identifying the best options for their circumstances
help with applying for financial aid
connection to online learning opportunities and resources (e.g. Khan Academy, Cool School)
access to Eva’s student bursaries, which provide financial support for educational pursuits
connection with tutors
access to onsite homework club with peer and staff support
Education Program Manual
Read about the approaches and promising practices of Eva’s Education Program for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
Support young people in gaining career-building skills.
Eva’s training and employment programs do more than just help youth get a job. They prepare them with career-build skills and connect them with potential employers to created opportunities for gainful, long-term employment.