Committed to strengthening the Durham community, Trent University Durham will tackle persistent elevated youth unemployment levels in the area in two ways it knows best: evidence-based research and a longstanding dedication to social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Following a funding announcement of $692,000 made today by MPP Granville Anderson on behalf of the Honourable Deb Matthews, deputy premier, president of the Treasury Board and minister responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Dr. Kristy Buccieri, assistant professor of Sociology at Trent University will begin work as an evaluator of the (Not in Education, Employment or Training) NEET Youth Incubator (NYI) program. The program is offered by the Community Innovation Lab, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to equipping youth for success in the Durham Region, and a long-standing partner of Trent University Durham.

“With this funding, the Community Innovation Lab will be able to evaluate its service delivery model and help us learn more about what approaches are making a difference for at-risk youth in communities across Ontario,” said Ms. Matthews.

“We continue to be staunch advocates for social change in the region and are working towards alleviating youth unemployment,” said Joe Muldoon, head of Trent University Durham. “It is a natural fit for the University to work with our community partners in attempting to address this issue.”

In collaboration with other organizations including the Region of Durham Social Services Department and the Community Development Council Durham, the program will enable local businesses and educators to introduce entrepreneurship as a viable employment option for marginalized youth, often facing social or economic barriers. The NYI program will offer workshops, mentorship, training and crucial start-up funds to individuals who may not have considered entrepreneurship possible.

The project will provide research opportunities for Trent University Durham students and will further the University’s practical understanding of the impact of entrepreneurship on local unemployed youth. This is a theme that fits perfectly with new program offerings at the Durham campus including the Bachelor of Social Work, a new B.A. in Child and Youth Studies/Care, and the new business course “Social Enterprise and Social Innovation”.

The Local Poverty Reduction Fund offered through the Treasury Board to the Community Innovation Lab will enable expansion of the initial pilot project into a wider program including 144 participants across eight local municipalities in the Durham Region over three years.

The programs continued success and expansion to a possible national level, will depend on unbiased, tangible results.  This is where Prof. Buccieri will bring research expertise focusing on youth homelessness, poverty, mental health, substance abuse issues and involvement in the criminal justice system to her role as evaluator. Along with Dr. Tyler Frederick, Sociology professor at UOIT, she will study the success of the program through evidenced-based research, combining surveys and participant interviews. The findings will also offer vital insight to those working directly with unemployed youth.

“Trent is a community-based university,” said Dr. Buccieri. “We are known for our ability to connect outside of the academic structure through knowledge mobilization. We must ensure that those who are working on the front lines have access to the information they need. Trent University Durham is well-situated to play this role with the Community Innovation Lab.”