As previously reported in the Bulletin, the Sparks Youth Centre has been successful in obtaining several grants that will lead to sustainability for the youth centre.

Now it's time to get the programs underway, and for that, says Program Manager Bev Middlebrook, participants are needed.

"There is a lot coming to life right now," she said.

One of the programs for youth at risk is LEE, the Life Entrepreneurial Employment Skills program.

"This is funded through Skills Link and Service Canada," Middlebrook said. "There are four positions left in LEES. It starts November 1, 2010. Youth will be paid minimum wage to attend."

Youth will learn life skills, learn about community resources available to them and work on a project to help out the SPCA.

"The youth will leave the program with seven certificates that will assist them in gaining employment," Middlebrook said. "They will pick up valuable life skills like assertiveness training, help with communication and self esteem.

"The first time we did this program the youth were very successful. Most found employment or returned to school."

Certificates include World Host, Food Safe, WHIMS, WCB Safety, First Aid, Serving It Right and True Colors.

The other program, BladeRunners, is focused mainly on aboriginal youth at risk but can take others as well.

The program will be administered out of Kimberley and will be offered in Kimberley, Invermere, Radium, Golden, Nelson, Salmo, Kaslo and Creston.

The youth are not paid to attend the year long program, but do receive help in finding employment and a wage subsidy that will add to any minimum wage job they may get, topping it up to $11 per hour.

"We assist them with their resumes, match them with employers and and train them in the skills that employer might require."

The program has been running in the lower mainland since 1994, but this is the first time it has been offered in the Kootenays.

Middlebrook has two signed up in Kimberley and would like four or five more youth to sign up.

Middlebrook is the program coordinator, Chelsea Tierney is the coordinator and Josh Deglow will be the job coach for the programs.

For more information on either of these programs call the youth centre at 250-427-7017.