Hundreds of British Columbians receiving disability assistance have more money in their pockets as Disability Alliance BC marks the one-year anniversary of its free tax-filing service.

The Province and partners collectively will be investing more than $7.5 million to support youth who are at risk of substance-use and mental-health concerns with the launch of a new, Integrated Youth Services Initiative.

More than 2,800 single parents on income and disability assistance are already getting the supports they need to find employment and build a more secure future through the Single Parent Employment Initiative (SPEI), a program that provides skills training or work experience and wrap-around supports.

The Province is investing $761,038 to provide 75 at-risk youth with valuable work experience through temporary employment placements with social enterprises in the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria regions.  

B.C. social enterprises make positive social, cultural and environmental contributions to the province, but until now, there has been limited information about the sector and its labour-market challenges.

Eighteen job seekers will gain valuable work experience and contribute to the success of five local festivals, sports and community events, thanks to almost $110,000 in provincial funding from the Community and Employer Partnerships program.

After just four years in operation, WorkBC Employment Services Centres have helped put more than 77,000 British Columbians back to work.

Government is investing more than $3 million in five research projects to find new and innovative ways to help unemployed British Columbians find a meaningful job.

Up to 30 local people are getting classroom training and work experience as in-demand office administrative assistant workers, as a result of nearly $250,000 in provincial funding for Vancouver Community College.

As one of the country's leading employers for young people, Starbucks Canada, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation, is taking a leadership position by committing 10 per cent of its store hires to Opportunity Youth.