Back to basics
Youth empowerment program helps at-risk participants find their inner entrepreneur

A SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY program is getting high marks for putting at-risk youth in Halifax on the path to success.

In February, the Options: Youth program run by the university’s chapter of Enactus Canada took home first place in the Scotiabank Youth Empowerment Challenge during the organization’s Atlantic Canada regional competition. The challenge encourages postsecondary students to focus on addressing the needs and opportunities facing youth. Enactus Canada is a student leadership organization that centers on entrepreneurs passionate about advancing economic, social and environmental health in Canada. The Saint Mary’s team involved in Options: Youth definitely met that challenge. The program has resulted in lifting 69 young people out of poverty, eight are pursuing post-secondary education and six have created their own businesses. “Many of these youth have been through some terrible stuff,” says Bridget Stevens, a member of the project team. “They teach you so much about how to overcome things.”

Ten young people are selected each year to take part in Options: Youth. The participants are taught skills like public speaking, budgeting and how to do a job interview. They are paired up with a Saint Mary’s mentor, who meets regularly with the youth. Work placements are arranged for each participant. The program also offers
interest-free micro-loans the youth can obtain.

The program seems to be working well. Stevens says one participant has started his own t-shirt company. Another was just promoted to a management position at a local information technology firm. Stevens and her team are obviously proud of how the participants are able to better their lives through Options: Youth. But she says the team members take a lot away from the experience as well. “Honestly, we learn more from the youth than they learn from us,” Stevens says.