Agency was started April 1, 1988. Incorporation finalized August 16, 1988.
Official name was Victoria County Youth Employment Services Inc. Our core funding was $40,000 from the Ministry of Skills Development to provide employment counselling to youth 15- 24. We had 1.5 staff – an Executive Director and part time Secretary.
Our offices were located at 77 Durham Street in Fleming College’s Career House from April 1988 to March 1993.
In the summer of 1988 we received federal funding to run a summer “Work Orientation Workshop” for students at Fenelon Falls Secondary School at risk of dropping out of school. It consisted of workshops and job placements. The program ran for 5 years every summer and eventually expanded to two projects a summer one in Lindsay for girls only as well as a project for boys and girls in the north.
1989
We received federal funding to run a 26-week introduction to building trades to area women. The project was funded for 5 years. Each year 12-15 women were given instruction on a variety of trades and built a house within the workshop. In our final year a building was built at Ken Rei Park and donated to them.
1991
The agency applied to change its name to Victoria County Career Services Inc. to reflect the expanded agency clientele who were now adults and youth.
1992
The agency delivered stay in school workshops to all grade 7 & 8 classes in the county from 1992 to 1994.
1993
In April 1993 the agency moved to 6 King Street near the Locks. We started renting the main floor and by the fall had included rental for the basement. We eventually expanded to into a neighbouring medical office and into another vacant office to the west.
We set up our first Resource Room and had one computer.
Job Finding Clubs and Job Search Strategies Workshops started in September 1993.
1994
Counselling to social assistance recipients began.
The agency became a member agency of the United Way.
1997
The Job Connect started 1997 and ran until 2010.
We started assisting clients to apply for HRDC Training funds. This program eventually evolved into Second Career.
1999
A joint student centre with HRDC, and Fleming College began and ran for 5 years.
Started Volunteer Program for Youth in 1999 and expanded to include adults in 2000.
2000
Joined Fourinfo and started collecting information on community health and social service organizations and a volunteer database.
The agency moved to its current location October 1, 2000 in Whitney Town Centre after 10 months of planning.
The staff at VCCS were so helpful and really went the extra mile to suit my needs and help me in any way possible.
Ben
Youth Job Connection
You guys are amazing! I found two of my best employees through your services.
A Happy Employer
I had so much success with VCCS that I have referred my son to your office and he is currently enrolled in a program there.
Linda
Employment Services Program
My Job Developer was invaluable to me in my process of finding employment that further developed skills I was lacking and helped me add job experience to my resume. She’s a beam of light and an asset to your team; she gives 110% to her clients and she honestly deserves a raise.
I’ve learned so much from the YJC program. Everyone is amazing!
Jess
Youth Job Connection
Thank you all so much for supporting me throughout my job search and helping me set goals for my future.
Mark
Youth Job Connection
The YJC Program was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it to any young person out there who’s having trouble finding a job.
Ben
Youth Job Connection
In the past, the thought of looking for work was very stressful for me. After taking the YJC program, I realized that it doesn’t have to be that way.
Ben
Youth Job Connection
Thank you for all your help it truly means the world to me to finally feel I am getting somewhere and I’m so proud of my portfolio.
Jess
Youth Job Connection
Thank you again to VCCS for helping me to remember that I am worth it and the right job is worth the wait.
