GUELPH, ON, Aug. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Across Canada, there is a rich variety of community-based organizations providing life-changing employability and career training services for marginalized youth and people with mental health challenges. Recognizing the importance of the work they do, The Co-operators today announced funding of $360,000 to 16 organizations that provide training and employment opportunities to help people overcome barriers to employment and become more self-reliant.

"These organizations fill a very real need in their communities, supporting many people to help them create better, more positive futures for themselves," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "Through their efforts to help others, they are creating resilient and sustainable communities."

The following organizations are receiving funding from The Co-operators Foundation Community Economic Development (CED) Funds:

Stella Bury Community Services (Stella's Circle) – St. John's, N.L.
Open Sky Co-operative - Sackville N.B.
Centre résidentiel et communautaire Jacques-Cartier – Quebec City
Spectre de Rue – Montreal
Comité de revitalisation urbaine intégrée de Saint-Pierre – Lachine, Que.
Causeway Work Centre – Ottawa
Working for Change – Toronto
Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth – Toronto
Roots to Harvest – Thunder Bay, Ont.
FortWhyte Alive - Winnipeg
Ignite Adult Learning Corporation Foundation - Regina
Momentum Community Economic Development Society – Calgary
Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation – Vancouver
The Cleaning Solution – Vancouver
Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society (EMBERS) - Vancouver
The Kettle Society – Vancouver

The CED Funds were developed in 1995 to commemorate The Co-operators 50^th anniversary, and through it, The Co-operators has granted $5.6 million to 130 organizations. The CED Funds are part of The Co-operators Foundation, which supports community-based organizations and other worthy causes throughout Canada. For more information on the Funds and their recipients, please visit: www.cooperators.ca/en/About-Us/Foundation/CED.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $44 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators