Firm gives at-risk kids jobs as interns

Foresters also boosts Flemingdon Park radio station

Miller acknowledges response slow to his youth training plan
Aug. 21, 2006. 01:00 AM
DONOVAN VINCENT
CITY HALL BUREAU


A Toronto life insurance company has launched an internship program for six young people from Flemingdon Park and is investing $75,000 for a local youth radio station.

The initiatives, by Foresters, are being touted by Mayor David Miller as an employment opportunity that came about through his community safety plan. The plan encourages businesses in the city to create jobs and training for young people, especially those from the city's "priority communities'' areas like Flemingdon Park, which has seen gun violence.

The paid internships, which last four months, were announced last week during an event at the recreation centre, which was attended by Miller, local councillor Jane Pitfield (Ward 26 Don Valley West) and Liberal MPP Kathleen Wynn (Don Valley West).

Toronto businesses have been slow to respond to the mayor's call to hire youths from these communities. Youth One, a campaign in which the Toronto Board of Trade challenged its firms to create 1,000 jobs for the city's at-risk youth by Sept. 1, has only managed to create 82 jobs.

George Mohacsi, CEO of Foresters, which has operated at the corner of Eglinton Ave. E. and Don Mills Rd. for 40 years, defended the small number of interns his firm is hiring, saying his company has supported local schools, supported local Meals on Wheels programs and other initiatives.

"It's a start,'' Mohacsi said.

"We've done a lot of community support. We may not have had an internship program, but we've supported this community centre by supporting the infrastructure, volunteered at local schools ... We're making a big initiative largely due to the mayor's community safety program,'' Mohacsi said.

He didn't disclose the amount the interns would be getting paid.

Miller acknowledged six is a small number, but said it was a step in the right direction.

The money for the radio station, which began operating in January and broadcasts out of a recreation centre in Flemingdon Park to a radius of about 300 metres, will go toward 14 honoraria for youth to get experience in broadcasting, and pay for equipment and other start-up costs. The funds come from an annual charity golf tournament the company runs, plus a corporate contribution.