Jobs to pay for university: New program looks to break cycle of youth poverty in Saint John

A Saint John organization is trying to break the circle of poverty for youth in the city's old north end by connecting them to employers and saving money for their education at the same time.

"We respond to what our community asks for," said Barry Galloway, director for ONE Change, a non-profit aimed at improving the city's north end.

"And our youth have been talking to us quite a bit about 'we need to earn money for our education.'"

10 employers, 10 internships

The organization is looking for 10 employers willing to take on one youth each in the community, said Galloway.

ONE change wants them to create an internship lasting 20 weeks and 200 hours, to take place during the next school year.

The employer would also create a tax-deductible bursary fund for $2,500 in the student's name, to be kept safe by the Greater Saint John Community Foundation.

The students would access the bursary after they graduate, and can only use it toward their post-secondary education, he said.

Not only will they get to do a work at a site a couple hours a day - if the employer is doing any staff training, having any staff event, anything like that, they're going to include these kids in that.- Barry Galloway, director for ONE Change

Galloway added that youth are welcome to sign up for the program more than once, and work with a different employer each year.

This could help them "be exposed to different types of careers," he said.

"Not only will they get to do a work at a site a couple hours a day - if the employer is doing any staff training, having any staff event, anything like that, they're going to include these kids in that."

Mother and son grateful

Ward 2 in Saint John, which includes the north end, has a child poverty rate of 76 per cent.

Forty-three per cent of families living in the area are single parents.

Only 50 per cent of students here complete high school in four years, and the region has an unemployment rate of 51 per cent.

Caleb Murphy, a soon-to-be Grade 11 student, already volunteers at the community centre run by ONE Change.

When he told his mother, Carla Murphy, that he was selected for the work program, she reacted very emotional, he said.

"I brought her in to talk to Barry," he said. "I knew she would be excited about it. I think she almost cried."

Carla Murphy said going to university was never beyond reach for her youngest son. 

But the two had a difficult relationship in the last few years, and they both needed this, she said.

"It's just nice to see," the single mother of three said. "I tried to give him that: 'See Caleb, be proud of yourself. ... Someone noticed you Caleb. It was you.'"

Connections needed

Galloway said students in other parts of the city often find their first jobs through family or friends.

"Those natural networks that you would typically find in more affluent neighbourhoods don't exist here," he said.

"There aren't a lot of jobs here or people who can put in a good word for you."

Those natural networks that you would typically find in more affluent neighbourhoods don't exist here.- Barry Galloway, director for ONE Change

Galloway said he never heard about a similar program as the one ONE Change is trying to start.

He also hopes to bring more employers on board in the future.

And while the centre focuses on the old north end, it won't turn anyone away looking to take advantage of the program's services, he said.

"I will be honest," he said. "If I have more than 10 employers come forward, I will find a way to make this work."