The British Columbia government is providing nearly $6,000 for a Job Creation Partnership project that will help Habitat for Humanity Canada increase its impact in B.C.

The funding is helping Habitat for Humanity Canada provide work experience to a Lower Mainland resident. He will develop and expand the organization’s stakeholder database, as well as develop ways to increase donations to the organization’s ReStore locations across B.C.

Habitat for Humanity Canada is a non-profit organization that builds affordable homes in partnership with families. Its 15 B.C. ReStore locations sell items donated by the community and corporations and use the proceeds for its charitable work.

The project’s participant, Roar Bakken, began July 25 and is gaining work experience in a non-profit setting, learning to identify and approach potential corporate donors and to manage donor relationships. These are skills he has identified as desirable in the non-profit job market, as well as being transferable to sales-related opportunities in the for-profit market.

Working out of a new distribution centre in Burnaby, Bakken will also raise awareness about the work that Habitat for Humanity Canada does in helping people with low to moderate incomes become homeowners.

Funding for the project is provided through the Job Creation Partnerships stream of the Community and Employer Partnerships program.

Job Creation Partnerships are part of the Employment Program of British Columbia’s Community and Employer Partnerships, which fund projects that increase employability and share labour market information.

The Community and Employer Partnerships program is featured in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint and provides more support to people who are struggling to gain a foothold in the job market. It helps build stronger partnerships with industry and labour to connect British Columbians with classroom and on-the-job training, while making it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers they need – when and where they need them.

To date, more than 1,200 job seekers have benefited from work experience and more than 240 projects have been funded throughout the province.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“When a project can have multiple benefits to a community like this one, I believe it is a success. Not only will a British Columbian gain work experience to help him find his fit in our growing economy, but a non-profit organization that does such important work will be supported. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores play an important role in helping build homes for low-income Canadians and I’m happy to see them assisted with this Community Employment Partnership.”

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby South –

“It is great to see our government funding a work experience project for a Lower Mainland resident who is truly interested in the field he is getting this opportunity in. Habitat for Humanity Canada does vital work in communities across the country and I’m excited to see that they are continuing to improve their operations through initiatives like this.”

Roar Bakken, project participant –

“The Job Creation Partnership was a great option for me. I had been specifically looking for an opportunity with a non-profit or charity, but continued to come up short due to lack of fundraising experience. Working with Habitat for Humanity Canada, I’m now gaining incredible experience working for a larger charity and procuring large-scale donations for Habitat for Humanity ReStores. I’m learning from some amazing people who really know this field and I love going to work knowing that my activities are helping Canadian families build strength, stability and self-reliance.”

Rob Voisin, vice-president of ReStore and product support, Habitat for Humanity Canada –

“We are thrilled to be working with the Job Creation Partnerships program. The support of having a full-time person dedicated to helping us procure product donations for Western Canada will have a huge impact on the work that we do.  Not only will an increase in product donations help Habitat raise the necessary funds to build homes for Canadian families, but we also hope that Roar will learn new skills as part of the work experience that will position him for future success.”

Quick Facts:

• Through ReStore donations, more than 36,000 tonnes of material were diverted from landfills in 2015.
• Local WorkBC Employment Services Centres play a lead role in connecting eligible job seekers to Job Creation Partnership and Project-Based Labour Market Training opportunities in their communities. Once the right match of client to project has been found, the effort of the WorkBC centre continues by providing financial supports and services to ensure success.
• In 2016-17, the ministry has committed to investing $331 million in employment and labour market programs under the Employment Program of BC.
• The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Province of British Columbia, as well as the Government of Canada, through the Labour Market Development Agreement.
• Funding supports 84 WorkBC Employment Services Centres throughout the province and the four components of the Community and Employer Partnerships fund:
  • Job Creation Partnerships
  • Labour Market Partnerships
  • Project-Based Labour Market Training
  • Research and Innovation

Who is eligible for Community and Employer Partnerships funding?

• Businesses
• Non-profit organizations
• Crown corporations
• Municipalities, agencies or territorial governments
• Bands/tribal councils
• Public health and educational institutions

Learn More:

Learn more about Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.ca

Find your local ReStore: http://www.habitat.ca/restore-directory-p5011.php

For more information on Community and Employer Partnerships: www.workbc.ca/CEP

Find a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre: www.workbccentres.ca

Learn more about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.gov.bc.ca/sdsi

For more information on B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: www.workbc.ca/skills

To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/