Goldstream News Gazette, December 30, 2015

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GOLDSTREAM The five West Shore T H G I mayors look ahead SPOTL to the coming year

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NEWS GAZETTE

NEWS: Arson charges laid against two youths /A7 COMMUNITY: Annual polar bear swim set for Jan. 1 /A17 SPORTS: Midget Juan de Fuca Grizzlies on a tear/ A18

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

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Return to work training funds utilized well on West Shore WorkLink helping people get unstuck from ‘welfare trap’ Tom Fletcher Black Press

Arnold Lim/News Gazette staff

Victoria Shamrocks star Corey Small shows off the team’s Mann Cup championship trophy alongside his recently acquired Western Lacrosse Association first team all-star award at the team office in Langford.

Green Christmas for Small Lacrosse star one of many cogs in 2015 wheel of success for Victoria Shamrocks Arnold Lim News Gazette staff

Corey Small’s last name is no indication of his value to the Victoria Shamrocks. In fact it is quite the opposite. Visitors to the Western Lacrosse Association club’s Langford office recently were

reminded of that value, as the diminutive 5’ 9” forward dropped by to pick up his 2015 first team all-star trophy. The all-star nod was one of various highlights from the season for Small, who led the team to their first Mann Cup in 10 years and ninth in their history. “Corey is the type of player every team dreams of having,” said club general manager Chris Welch. “He is a phenomenal talent and a great guy, a tremendous ambassador for our sport and a real emerging leader in our group.” Over the past five season, Welch said, Small has quickly become one of the key faces of the franchise. “He is a very spe-

cial player, a special guy and he fits the green and white perfectly, so we love having him.” Small led the WLA in points with 79 (33 goals, 36 assists) during the regular season, added a league-high 40 in the WLA playoffs and topped it off by winning the Mike Kelley Award as Mann Cup most valuable player. His third first-team all star selection matches the number of times he has been voted most popular Victoria Shamrock by the fans.

Close enough to visit... PLEASE SEE: Far enough to Shamrocks get away. look ahead, Page A4

The B.C. government’s new training and employment program for single parents has enrolled more than 1,300 people since it began Sept. 1. The program covers tuition, daycare and transportation costs for up to a year of on-the-job training, or education towards in-demand jobs, for single parents receiving social assistance or disability payments. The benefits can continue for up to the first year of employment, including extension of government-paid dental and other health benefits. It replaces the previous system, often referred to as the welfare trap, where single parents would lose their assistance payments and benefits if they went back to school to train for a job. West Shore residents can access the program through the WorkLink Employment Society in Langford. “People in the West Shore have been utilizing it … There’s a lot of excitement and interest in the program,” said WorkLink case manager Jo Zlotnik. “Anything that gives someone an opportunity to become unstuck is very beneficial.” Social Development Minister Michelle Stilwell called the results of the program’s first four months “a very good sign,” particularly since about 400 of the voluntary participants are not in the ministry’s “expected to work” category because their children are under the age of three. Of the 1,330 people signed up as of mid-December, 50 are already on the job in construction, retail, health and community service positions.

Treat Mom to Victoria’s PLEASE SEE: Mountain Escape! WorkBC staffers, Page A4

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