ABRAM-VILLAGE – July 5, 2023 – The six young bilingual workers of The Hard Workers Youth Services Co-op are ready to get to work serving the people, organizations, co-operatives and businesses of their community.

They announced at their 2023 grand opening on July 4 that they’re ready to do painting, gardening, car washing, cleaning, dog walking, lawn mowing and similar jobs, all for a very reasonable rate, from now until the end of August.

To request an estimate, simply contact one of the coordinators, Brielle Arsenault (brielle@rdeeipe.org) or Adelle Joshua (adelle@rdeeipe.org). Once a price has been agreed upon, the young workers will go to the job site and carry out the work requested. The coordinators will then ensure that the work is done to the customer’s satisfaction before invoicing.

The coop’s young members, aged 12 to 16 years, have elected an executive committee among themselves to manage their own affairs. Jessie Gallant is president, Liam Richard vice-president, Doriane Ondua treasurer and Lexie Arsenault secretary.

Their structure also includes sub-committees:
• Human Resources: Payton Arsenault, Jessie Gallant and Liam Richard;
• Marketing: Jessie Gallant, Baylee Richard, Payton Arsenault and Lexie Arsenault;
• Finance: Bayle Richard, Doriane Ondua and Liam Richard.

This co-operative is organized each summer by RDÉE Prince Edward Island. Assistant executive director Stéphane Blanchard pointed out at the official opening that the overall goal is to help these youth develop a good work ethic and give them the experience of satisfaction in a job well done. All this, plus an opportunity to earn a bit of spending money for the summer.

He told them that the concept of youth service co-operatives began here on the Island over 40 years ago. Over time, the youth services co-op movement spread across the country; it now exists in New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba, and possibly elsewhere. RDÉE PEI has been supervising the co-op for well over 20 years.

The coordinators added that the objective of the CSJ is to give young people the opportunity to learn how a co-op works, and how to work in a group as well as independently. They therefore encourage the community to support the youth by offering them small work contracts, whether for a few hours or a few days.

-30-

 

PHOTO: At the official opening of the 2023 edition of the Hard Workers Youth Services Co-op, seen, from left, are coordinator Brielle Arsenault, president Jessie Gallant, secretary Lexie Gallant, workers Payton Arsenault and Baylee Richard, and coordinator Adelle Joshua.

 

For more information:
Stéphane Blanchard
Assistant executive director
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
stephane@rdeeipe.org
(902) 388-8460