Youth Ventures delivers official kick-off to NL students and young entrepreneurs
St. John’s, NL – Youth Ventures is proud to partner with Frontline Action to kick-off the 27th season of Youth Ventures. The kick-off is dedicated to celebrating the success of young entrepreneurs in the province and to highlight the entrepreneurial resources available to youth in Newfoundland and Labrador. If you’re between the ages of 12-29 and interested in starting your own business, then Youth Ventures can help you do just that.
“Youth Ventures encourages youth to tap into their entrepreneurial spirit by starting their own money-making profitable ventures,” said Robyn Evans, the Provincial Coordinator with Youth Ventures. The program runs from April to August, with coordinators from coast to coast who can assist youth with creating a business idea, writing a business plan, accessing financial support, marketing and promotion, business counselling, mentoring and more.
To kick-off the season, Youth Ventures hosted an entrepreneurial showcase featuring Youth Ventures’ businesses and partner organizations. Youth from Villanova Junior High, Choices for Youth and Association for New Canadians attended the event to learn more about how entrepreneurship can be a viable career option for youth in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the entrepreneurial support that is available to them.
The start of the Youth Ventures season is always an exciting time for the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC). “Youth Ventures has been delivered by the CBDCs since 1996. Even though it is a summer-based entrepreneurship program, the energy that the young business owners show carries throughout the year,” said Roseanne Leonard, Managing Director, Newfoundland and Labrador Association of CBDCs. “We see the lessons learned through owning a small business help shape the futures of the young people of this province. Many find that their experiences help direct their careers. Quite often we see the entrepreneurial skills help them become community leaders, business owners and the innovators of this province.” Since its inception, Youth Ventures has helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), provided $425,009 to support the delivery of the Youth Ventures Program this year.
“Our government is committed to investing in initiatives that promote innovation, entrepreneurship and career development among our youth in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. “The Youth Ventures Program has been instrumental in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in our province’s young people and guiding them every step of the way in setting up their own businesses. I applaud all program
participants for their hard work, creativity and entrepreneurial drive, and I wish them good luck with their summer ventures and continued success in the future.”
The Provincial Government is providing $95,000 this year to the Youth Ventures Program.
“Our government is proud to partner with Youth Ventures, which has a proven record of successfully supporting young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in creating entrepreneurship opportunities,” said the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour. “I congratulate Youth Ventures for kicking off what is sure to be another successful year and commend everyone involved with the organization for the crucial role they continue in play in strengthening our workforce and creating jobs.”
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For more information, contact Project Coordinator – Community Development, Robyn Evans:
709-745-4406 (office) / robyn.evans@cbdc.ca (e-mail)
Cellular: Roseanne Leonard/ 709-691-5530
