A new provincial funding boost aimed at helping people find jobs is coming to Terrace through the Salvation Army.
The province announced its Community-Based Employment Services program will expand to cover 16 additional communities across B.C., including Terrace, with $18.6 million over two years in partnership with the federal government.
In Terrace, the program is intended to help overcome barriers preventing them from finding and maintaining work, which may include factors such as unstable housing, health issues, or lack of access to traditional employment services.
The funding will enable up to 2,680 people in the province to access services. In Terrace, the program will be run locally through the Salvation Army, offering support tailored to the needs of the community.
According to the Province, the program focuses on flexible, community-based outreach. Workers connect with people in familiar settings and provide support at a pace that works for them, rather than requiring participation in structured, office-based programs.
Access to the services offered includes one-on-one coaching and mentoring, skills building, advice regarding income assistance or housing services, training options, certification, and employment experience.
This program is an expansion from a pilot run in 2024 as part of B.C’s poverty reduction plan. This plan emphasizes the need to improve affordability and provide access to employment.
In a statement, the province cited challenges related to the cost of living that some individuals still face, which can make it more difficult to enter or return to the workforce.
WorkBC Centers will operate alongside the program, providing other services as well that include access to assistive technology for people with disabilities and training programs for people who do not get enough representation in the workforce.
According to a provincial report released April 16, the poverty rate in B.C. has declined since 2016, although such initiatives aim to assist people facing greater challenges in finding employment.
