Young Hard Workers always ready to do odd jobs in Evangeline area


ABRAM-VILLAGE – June 12, 2018 –
The 10 teenaged members of the Hard Workers Youth Services Co-op are proudly announcing that they are ready to take on all kinds of odd jobs to help out people, organizations and businesses in the Evangeline region this summer.

During the recent official launching ceremony for the 2018 edition of the co-op, young president Brent Arsenault told the more than 20 guests present that the members can, for example, mow lawns, babysit children or pets, wash cars, paint fences, weed gardens, plant flowers, bring in firewood and do housework, all at a reasonable rate.

He then symbolically cut a board with a handsaw, instead of doing a traditional ribbon cutting.

The young Hard Workers, all bilingual and aged 12 to 15 years, are now seeking work contacts for short durations, either for a few hours, a few days or even a few weeks. They’re already received some work requests, including for the construction of picnic tables and park benches.

These work contracts give the youth an opportunity to learn how to undertake responsibilities, gain work experience and earn a bit of pocket money.

Those wishing to get a free estimate or to place a work order are asked to call 902-854-2975 (carpentry workshop) anytime Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Or, people may send an email to either one of the coordinators, Mélanie Arsenault (melanie@rdeeipe.org) or Makenzie Hayes (makenzie@rdeeipe.org).

TRAINING

Again this year, some of the coordinators got the opportunity to participate in a week-long training session in Shippagan, NB, where they learned all about the establishment and management of youth services co-ops. The training, developed by the umbrella organization La Fabrique entrepreneuriale of Quebec (which oversees about 150 youth co-ops), was delivered in Atlantic Canada by the Coopérative de développement régional Acadie.

The coordinators then returned to PEI to recruit participants. In turn, they delivered training on the management of boards of directors and co-ops to the young Island workers.

At their first board meeting, the youth elected an executive committee: president Brant Arsenault, vice-president Brady Corkum, secretary Taia Gallant and treasurer Keanah Arsenault. These four, along with their six fellow workers – Jackson Arsenault, Kadyn Arsenault, John Isaac Montgomery, Jaden McInnis, Tyson Short and Jake Gallant – also formed marketing, human resources and finance committees.

A portion of their income goes to the co-op to cover its various expenses. At the end of the season, the youth will decide whether to put aside a portion of their co-op’s profits to ensure a start-up fund for next year and/or to pay themselves a rebate, based on the number of hours they put in.

Thanks to an agreement negotiated with the French Language School Board, the co-op has access to the school workshops at Evangeline School for its construction projects.

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CUTLINE: Brent Arsenault, president of the Hard Workers Youth Services Co-op, cuts through a board to officially launch the 2018 summer edition of the Co-op. He is supported by fellow co-op members, from left, treasurer Keanah Arsenault, secretary Taia Gallant, and vice-president Brady Corkum.

 

 

For more information:
Stéphane Blanchard
Youth Development Officer
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 370-7333, Ext. 402
stephane@rdeeipe.org