May 20, 2008
NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO: Seven Community Futures Development Corporations, working together as the Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative, have been recognized as outstanding CFDCs for their work in the community. The seven CFDCs have developed programs to engage children and youth in entrepreneurship. The Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations honours its own each year with the CFDC Achievement Award, which acknowledges CFDCs for economic development in their local area.
Three Achievement Awards were presented at the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporation’s (OACFDC) 15th Annual Conference held in Stratford recently. The OACFDC is a provincial organization of 61 Community Futures offices, serving northern and rural Ontario. Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) provide small business counseling and loans, as well as collaborating on community economic development projects in small towns and rural areas. In Ontario, CFDCs are funded by Industry Canada through FedNor. Community volunteers form the boards of directors of each CFDC and make decisions based on the needs of the local economy.
The seven CFDCs who partnered on the RYEI project are: Nord-Aski Regional Economic Development Corporation, Hearst; North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation, Kapuskasing; The Venture Centre, Timmins; Kirkland & District Community Development Corporation, Kirkland Lake; South Temiskaming Community Futures Development Corporation, Haileybury; Economic Partners/Partenaires dans l'économie, Sturgeon Falls; NECO Community Futures Development Corporation, North Bay.
Together they developed a plan for Youth Enterprise summer camps for youth 9-12 and teens 13 – 16, Create a Logo competitions for students in grades 4 to 6, and Hector, the Animated Business Planner, which is a bilingual interactive learning tool on CD-ROM for youth in grades 5 and 6. In addition, there are numerous other programs promoting entrepreneurship to children and teenagers –including Kids Invent Toys, Market Your Thoughts for Grades 7and 8, The FedNor Business Plan challenge, and Generation E, a creative-thinking session for youth at risk to examine their skills in a positive light. General Manager of North Claybelt CFDC in Kapuskasing, Denis Bérubé, says the intention is to provide entrepreneurial opportunities and experience for the youth of Northeastern Ontario. “With our partners, we have been integral in stemming youth out-migration and assisting in workforce development,” he explains.
Not only were these much needed activities for children and youth, but the projects are themed in keeping with the economic development plans for the area. Young people are challenged to learn entrepreneurial skills, which in turn may encourage them to start their own businesses and stay in their communities. “We believe that fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in our youth, beginning as young as eight years of age, is what sets us apart,” says Cindy Reasbeck of North Claybelt CFDC, Regional Project Coordinator. The group has worked together to develop an impressive catalogue of materials – books, binders, CDs, right through to specialty yo-yos.
Almost 350 members of the OACFDC were on hand to see the award presented to RYEI at the conference in Stratford. The Achievement Awards are sponsored by Desjardins Financial Security and Comprehensive Benefits Solutions, insurance providers to OACFDC members.
To learn more about RYEI, contact Cindy Reasbeck or Denis Bérubé at 705-337-1407