Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.


When CUPE Local 1860 at the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) was approached by Choices for Youth with an idea to help at-risk youth, the Local didn’t hesitate to respond.

Choices for Youth is a community-based, non-profit agency that works with young people who are at-risk and those with barriers to employment. Ten young workers are employed in the current project.

Following a presentation by the program’s coordinator Rosalind Curran, Local 1860 members voted unanimously to endorse the idea. “We jumped at the opportunity,” said Local 1860 president Bill Wakeley.

Working in conjunction with the housing corporation, the Local joined the Train for Trades project. The one-year initiative will include renovations to 40 public housing units in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and provides much needed experience for the individuals involved.

Ms. Curran said, “We’d like to thank CUPE for coming on-board with this project. This is a fantastic opportunity for these young people and will undoubtedly help them in deciding their future career path.”

The work includes demolition of existing basement areas and retro-fitting them with rigid insulation, stud-wall construction, vapour-barrier and drywall. All work is done to NLHC and national building code standards.

“These young people work very hard and have a great work ethic. Feedback from our members and tenant associations has been overwhelming,” said Wakeley. “Everyone deserves a break in life. Just knowing that we’re helping these young people get a positive start is very rewarding.”
  

For more information:

Bill Wakeley
President, CUPE Local 1860
Tel: (709) 689-5104

Rosalind Curran
Program Coordinator, Choices for Youth
Tel: (709) 754-0446                      

Derrick Barrett
CUPE Communications
Tel: (902) 455-4180