October 21, 2004
Bancroft Times
The Business Builders Program at the Community Futures Development Corporation in Bancroft has been awarded the Outstanding Rural Youth Achievement Award by the Foundation for Rural Living. It is one of seven Awards of Rural Excellence presented by the foundation, presented on October 18, at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in London, Ontario.
The Business Builders Program is the first of its kind in Ontario. It provides free workshops highlighting the merits of entrepreneurship to children aged nine to 15 years and designed to get the best out of young participants through discovery, examinations and adventure.
“The program provides opportunities for learning entrepreneurial skills in a creative way to encourage youth to consider self-employment as a clear objective and not as a last resort,” said CFDC General Manager Bob Cloes. “When the chance of sustainable employment is so slim, Business Builders fills a much-needed void. The North Hastings region suffers from high unemployment and limited opportunities for higher paid employment. Some community members are turning to self-employment later in life, out of desperation, and are therefore very poorly prepared.
Since its inception in 2001, 45 students have availed themselves of the program. Eighteen have launched their own businesses.
According to Cloes, one of last year’s graduates is running an advertising business, Laura’s Amazing Advertising, with one very successful event under her belt. Ten days after graduation, another participant offered a dog walking service; another opened Bakery Treats and another formed a company called Baby Cakes, which specializes in unique baby shower gifts.
The Foundation for Rural Living is a non-profit, registered charity founded in 1979 to build sustainable rural capacity. It attempts to enhance the quality of life for rural citizens through the growth and development of the community investment, in the form of philanthropy, citizenship and collaboration. It is a partner in The Rural Council of Ontario and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. During the 1998 ice storm, it established the Ontario Rural Relief Fund, which raised $500,000 for rural communities affected by this disaster.