Filmmaking program launches youth into successful careers
NEW WESTMINSTER, BC—Brooke Young had dreamed for years of owning her own store. On Canada Day, that dream came true, when she opened The Littlest Thrift Shop for the first time. She already dreams of expansion.
"I'm hoping within six months we'll be able to hire staff," says Young. "Also once our lease is up next year, we hope to have enough money to get into a bigger location."
Young credits her success entirely to a Government of Canada-funded Youth Skills Link program called Kaleidoscope, created and run by Agora Employment Essentials, a wholly owned company of the Mennonite Central Committee of BC.
Its 13-week course in digital filmmaking helps eligible youth aged 15 to 30 with a personal history that has created barriers to helping them reach their career potential, such as not completing high school, being a single parent, or a recent immigrant to Canada.
When Young enrolled in the program last year, she had not worked in three years, and lacked the work experience needed to get hired.
"I felt so down," she says. "But honestly, after a week being there, I felt 100 per cent better. By the time I left, I felt like I could do anything. And really I have."
"Filmmaking is the lure," says John Dawson, MCC BC's director of employment and community development, in an e-mail. The real goal is to give them the skills to survive in the workplace.
"It is used to teach youth dozens of other essential employability skills such as time management, problem solving, team work, conflict resolution, working with numbers, communication, managing information, plus the technical skills required by the digital economy and so embedded in everyday life."
Launched nine years ago, 300 youth have now gone through Kaleidoscope. In August, 14 more are expected to enter the program.
"We continue to achieve the outcome targets sought by the funder," says Dawson. "We have seen youth go on to be filmmakers, actors, chefs, work in retail and customer service, hospitality or even start their own business."
For Young, Kaleidoscope continues to be a key partner as she builds her business.
"I really didn't think that would ever happen, at least not for several years," she says. "Kaleidoscope has been unbelievable in getting us connections and support and help and marketing. We've got really good marketing plans coming up in terms of social media.
"It's been amazing."
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