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Partnership
Programs

• Ryerson University
  at TBG
• TBG at George Brown College
• Second Base Youth Shelter Training Program

Second Base Youth Shelter, in partnership with Humber College, Operation Springboard, the Toronto Botanical Garden, and Landscape Ontario, the horticultural trade technician pre-apprenticeship training program offers at-risk youth between the ages of 18 and 24 interested in a career in landscaping the opportunity to gain relevant college and work placement experience. Program participants will be provided with free transportation, tuition, books, tools, lunches and, a paid work placement. Successful participants will also receive a certificate upon completion of the pre-apprenticeship program and will be eligible to register as a Horticultural Trade Technician Apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. This Horticultural Trade
Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Program is funded by the Ontario Government.

THE PROGRAM
The Horticulture Trade Technician Pre-Apprenticeship program is aimed at providing marginalized youth in the Scarborough, Ontario area, who have multiple barriers to employment, with job training, entry into the job market, new opportunities and pathways to learn, earn and achieve, helping them re-establish in their communities and thereby contribute positively. The ability to offer youth at-risk solid training via a pre-apprenticeship program as opposed to temporary job placements, is one of the best ways of addressing other issues, such as housing and mental heath. The participants will also be supported by professional, ongoing support to help them away from the streets, drugs and violence.

The partners participating in this program Landscape Ontario, Humber College, Job Connect, Toronto Botanical Garden. Landscape Ontario will be responsible for assisting with career counseling and job placement. Humber College is a training
delivery agent for horticulture technician. The College is also very experienced in the delivery of trade apprenticeship training. Job Connect (Operation Springboard), established in 1969 was designed to offer support to ex-offenders and their families.

Their role in the program will be significant in identifying, assessing and ensuring that the program truly opens the door to a career for homeless youth participants by providing job readiness workshops and one on one counseling. Toronto Botanical Garden will be providing participants with 'industry best practices'; the practical experience of working side by side with some of the nation's master practitioners, as well the use of their facilities.

Second Base Youth Shelter:

Second Base Youth Shelter is located in Scarborough, Ontario. We are a 56 bed
emergency shelter for youth between the ages of 16-21. Second Base is a safe haven for young people who find themselves in need of assistance. We provide the basic necessities such as a safe place to sleep, clothing and three well balanced meals a day.

In addition to the basics, we also offer an in-house, fully subsidized G.E.D program for shelter residents as well as youth from the community. Our drop-in resource centre which operates during the day provides programs and services and access to trained staff. The kitchen at Second Base is staffed by professionals as well as youth from the shelter. While helping to prepare three hot meals a day for all the residents and drop-in participants, they acquire valuable skills and training and a sense of community that translates into the real world. All of these aspects combine to create an environment that enables marginalized young people to gain their own independence, self confidence and find their place in the world. Second Base opened its doors in 1993, and is the only youth shelter in Scarborough which is geographically situated to properly meet the needs of at-risk youth in the area. We accommodate approximately 700 youth annually.