Head Start in Business has been a driving force in entrepreneurship awareness and initiation since 2002. Over 68,000 youth have participated in our innovative and experiential programs making entrepreneurship more accessible and realistic as a viable career option.
Head Start in Business is a Pan-Northern Community Futures Development Corporation project that encourages youth to explore and expand their entrepreneurial potential while remaining in Northern Ontario.
Young people are aware of the entrepreneurial option resulting in the development of a more prosperous, vibrant and innovative Northern Ontario economy.
Trista Vermette is a skilled project manager with over 5 years of project management experience. She has experience in both corporate and not-for-profit project management and has successfully led high-profile projects at Head Start.
Trista is known for her exceptional organizational, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills. Her dedication to improving the lives of others, combined with her professional expertise, make her a valuable asset to the Head Start team and the business community.
Head Start in Business is the brainchild of the North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC). What began as a pilot program in 2001 to help youth at risk has evolved into a series of 6 webinars designed to encourage young people between the ages of 5 and 18 to explore and develop entrepreneurial skills. The programming covers a continuum of age-appropriate material that helps participants envision entrepreneurship as a viable career option in Northern Ontario.
Service Canada/ FedNor funded Youth Entrepreneurship Program for youth at risk in Kapuskasing and was initiated by North Claybelt CFDC.
The very first Youth Enterprise Camp was piloted by North Claybelt CFDC in Moonbeam at Camp Cadanac with seven campers.
Consecutive contracts were secured to continue to expand the Youth Entrepreneurship mandate through North Claybelt CFDC.
Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative – North Claybelt CFDC with six partnering CFDCs was started as an adhoc project of the group of seven (working collaboratively with seven CFDCs along the Quebec border).
Northeast Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative grew to include all 13 Northeastern Ontario CFDCs – The continuum of programming was built starting with curriculum connected programming such as Create a Logo and Market Your Thoughts (5995 participants).
Northern Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative – growth to Northwestern Ontario of the initiative to include all 24 Northern Ontario CFDCs- (20,000 youth).
Pan Northern inclusive project, rebranded as Head Start In Business- Northern Ontario continues the important work of culture development in Northern Ontario.
New workshop development to strengthen the continuum for school aged youth. Launched online access to on-demand workshops in English.
Find all of our regional CFDC collaborators on the interactive map, by zooming and clicking on their respective icons.
