An e-mail I received from a friend in the Toronto area, thought I would pass it on for all to see, especially those in the Province of Ontario.
OFFICE OF THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO
Transmitted by CNW Group on : May 27, 2006 14:00
McGuinty government helps next generation of scientists
New Community Projects Give Youth Hands-On Training From Leading Science
And Technology Researchers
TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - Ontario Premier and Minister of Research and
Innovation Dalton McGuinty today announced funding for community-based
projects that will inspire youth to pursue careers in science and technology
by giving them hands-on experience.
"We're on the side of Ontario families who are working hard to build
opportunity for their children," said Premier McGuinty. "Our government is
doing its part by providing young people with the opportunity to gain valuable
experience in the fields of science and technology to ensure that Ontario's
long history of innovation success continues."
Under the Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program (YSTOP), the
McGuinty government will invest more than $3.9 million over three years to
provide youth with the opportunity to work in diverse fields such as robotics,
life sciences, environmental science, engineering and theoretical physics.
YSTOP focuses on helping at-risk youth and youth living in rural and
remote communities. More than 30 projects have been approved for funding and
the Ministry of Research and Innovation is calling for more proposals. The
closing date for the next round of funding is October 10, 2006.
"YSTOP funding is crucial to emerging organizations like Visions of
Science because it allows us to create opportunities in science and technology
for our young people," said Francis Jeffers, Executive Director, Visions of
Science Network for Learning. "By listening and responding to the needs of our
community, the government is helping our youth to become good, productive
citizens."
YSTOP is the latest example of how the McGuinty government is working to
help at-risk youth overcome the significant challenges they face in their
daily lives. Other recent initiatives include:
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- Launching the Youth Challenge Fund and providing up to $45 million
for community-led programs targeted to young people in Toronto
- Supporting the hiring of 39 youth-outreach workers in Toronto in
2006, growing to a total of 62 workers across Ontario in 2007, who
will build relationships with hard-to-reach youth, provide advice and
connect them to appropriate services
- Making Toronto's Summer Jobs for Youth an annual program, nearly
doubling the number of youth from at-risk communities participating
from more than 300 last year to 750 this summer, and up to 1,650
provincewide next year.
>>
"Providing Ontario's young people with experience in the fields of
science and technology will not only enrich their lives, it will improve the
lives of all Ontarians by encouraging research and innovation that will create
rewarding jobs, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life," said
Premier McGuinty.
More information on YSTOP is available at:
www.ontario.ca/ystop.