2009

YCW in Newfoundland 2009
On-site with Young Canada Works

For over ten years, the Heritage Canada Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage and other delivery organizations, has administered financial contributions under the Young Canada Works program.

This summer HCF assisted more than 80 employers across Canada in providing gainful employment to students with interests in the field of heritage. The YCW coordinator had the opportunity to visit St. John’s and Trinity in Newfoundland and Labrador to catch up with some of the organizations who have been helping to preserve and promote the heritage of Newfoundland. Here are a few snapshots of their activities:

Doors Open Events (St John’s and Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador)

Doors Open is a national program that raises awareness of heritage buildings by opening them up to the public free of charge. Two of the non-profit organizations in the province that have organized successful Doors Open events are the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) in St. John’s, and the Trinity Historical Society (THS) in Trinity. YCW student Andrew McGrath helped to coordinate HFNL’s summer event, which included 14 heritage buildings, and found his job added valuable experience to his education and career.

Mitchell Lasaga, who discovered Doors Open through his work with THS, acknowledges that his employment mainstay had previously been in the fishing industry. Working under YCW gave him important experience in built heritage conservation and an opportunity to build a network of contacts in his chosen career field.

Newfoundland Historic Trust in St. John’s

The Newfoundland Historic Trust is dedicated to the preservation of all forms of architecture reflecting the culture and heritage of Newfoundland. Ben Jesseau spent the summer working as an interpretational assistant at the Newman Wine Vaults, a provincial historic site. Ben was enthusiastic about the heritage aspect of his work and admitted it was not easy to find a job in his field. “I had one interview in my field in a year and I didn’t get it. It’s usually a call centre, gas station—not pleasant experiences.” The Newman Wine Vaults are busy in the summer with several events related to their extensive history, and Ben was able to take part in a bit of everything. His favourite duty was giving tours in the vaults and teaching others about the story of the Newman family.

HCF accepts applications for both the YCW in Heritage Organizations program and the YCW at Building Careers in Heritage. Applications are completed online and are due in early 2010. To find out more about YCW and the application process, please visit www.youngcanadaworks.gc.ca.