Choices for Youth has been forced to alter plans for its new social enterprise hub in St. John’s.
They’re planning to open the centre at the former site of Gruchy’s garage on Lemarchant Road.
The property has been transformed over the last year thanks to a total of $2.3 million in funding from the federal government, the province, the city and a variety of benefactors including Martek, the North Pine Foundation, Home Depot, and the R. Howard Webster Foundation.
But Choices for Youth executive director Jen Crowe says recent difficulties with finalizing a federal funding agreement has resulted in changes to their original plans for the new space.
(Jen Crowe, executive director with Choices for Youth)
They were hoping to open two secondary locations for their social enterprise operations; a crust craft bakery and neighbourhood thrift store.
Instead, they’ll be moving their current operations on Pearson Street to the new building on LeMarchant Road, pending leasing agreements at their old location.
In the meantime, they’re exploring options for the office space.
“Would we rent out a part of it? Would we look to partner with another non-profit organization?” Crowe mused, considering potential rental revenue.
“We’re really just exploring all of our options right now.”
St. John’s MP Joanne Thompson says the federal government is open to further discussions with Choices for Youth to find other streams of funding.
“It was one program,” says Thompson. “It was one program (that) was for a four-year period, (and) reached its conclusion. They were successful in the next round and, you know, it’s one of many programs within the organization that’s supported by government. So, conversations continue.”
Meanwhile, the federal minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth of Canada is in the capital city today.
(Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth of Canada)
Marci Ien is in St. John’s to make a funding announcement for the local LBGTQ+ community, but says a meeting with Choices for Youth is also on the agenda.
She has said she understands why the group is disappointed, but insists the $4-million funding allotment over the next four years was not a cut.
She also says discussions are ongoing, which limits her ability to talk specifics.
“But what I can say is that this is a program that is severely oversubscribed,” she said. “I understand why Choices is disappointed because they applied for monies and didn’t get the amount they applied for.
“But every organization is meant to apply for different streams when they come up. Choices for Youth was supported, and that ended, and then they re-applied, and didn’t get what they applied for. Negotiations continue, and I really look forward to meeting with them, and with the premier.”
