First, Southeast Advocates for Employment is an Estevan and Weyburn area based career and employment service, providing specialized services to individuals with multiple barriers to employment. Individuals are pre-screened prior to their referral from the Ministry of the Economy, labour market services branch. With the specialized services within our organization, individuals are provided with the necessary tools to commit to an enhanced employment plan to understand their individual capacity and become attached to their local labour markets.
It is with satisfaction, accomplishment, and dedication that the existing board and staff of this organization strive to promote the agency and each of the individuals we serve.
The unique nature of our service allows us to be innovative in our approach. We have partnered with many services within our service area to continue to promote and expand our service.
One such endeavour is with youth currently in the high school setting, who have been identified with a disability and need transitioned support from high school to the world beyond. We believe this same method of transition should and could be expanded to include youth within the high school setting who are at risk of dropping out of high school. At this time, while the demand is for many, the opportunity for funding is limited. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a challenging time. Youth and young adults must make complex decisions regarding education, work, finances, and personal relationships. Many of the accommodations and learning methods youth find in school environments will be different or nonexistent in work environments.
Youth with disabilities or youth at risk often do not do as well as their peers in traditional classroom settings, in the work world, or in social settings. Adding to these challenges, these youth often experience social isolation and lowered self-expectations.
When provided with support, youth are capable of becoming successful in any environment—academic, work, and social. Youth services play a critical role in providing guidance and representation for youth to ensure they are able to reach their potential in school and the world beyond.
Southeast Advocates for Employment, through the transition to the world of work program, ensures that the youth of today are better equipped for the challenges that lay ahead. Working in a student-centred approach, captivating the team that exists formally and informally in the life of the youth, builds not only stronger communication among resources, but empowers the student by making informed decisions based on their unique needs and wants.
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