YOUTHCOLLEGE OMMUNITIES MPOWER NEWSLETTER SUCCESS SUPPORT RADUATION SPRING NATION 2016 DUCATION GRADUATE IN THIS ISSUE: YOUNG PEOPLE CHARITY CHIEVEMENT 03 A message of celebration from the CEO LEARNING POTENTIALUNIVERSIT CANADA 04 Founder Carolyn Acker reflects on 15 years of Pathways 05 Ermias, Richard, Roshaan, and Tarak share their alumni stories 08 Sixth annual Community Winter Feast in Winnipeg and other Pathways news 11 Tremendous Pathways partners show why support matters HIGH SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Samuel L. Duboc Chair Co-Founder and CEO EdgeStone Capital Partners Robert Wright, CM Vice Chair President Edinglen Holdings Inc. Honourary Director Teck Resources Ltd. Trent Henry Treasurer Chairman and CEO EY Nicole Boivin Former Chief Branding Officer Manulife Financial Craig Campbell CEO Resilience Capital The Honourable Justice Gloria J. Epstein Court of Appeal for Ontario Robert M. Franklin President Signalta Capital Corporation Michael Gardiner Chairman Fairwater Capital Corporation Chairman Sonor Investments Ltd. & The Sonor Foundation Gervais Jacques Chief Commercial Officer Rio Tinto Alcan Brett Marchand President and CEO Vision7 International Kerry Peacock EVP, Retail Banking Products & Services TD Canada Trust Lori Pearson Senior Managing Partner Brookfield Asset Management David Reeve CEO and Co-Founder InvestorCOM Sandra Stuart President and CEO HSBC Bank Canada Charles Winograd President Winograd Capital Inc. Sue Gillespie Ex-Officio President & CEO Pathways to Education Canada ABOUT PATHWAYS Pathways to Education is a national, charitable organization working to make Canada a Graduation Nation. Partnering with dedicated organizations in low-income communities, Pathways supports youth to graduate from high school and achieve their full potential. Celebrating 15 years of successful programming, our award-winning combination of academic, financial, social, and one-on-one supports continues to successfully break the cycle of poverty through the power of education. pathwaystoeducation.ca TAKE ACTION Every day, there are great conversations happening online about the work we are doing. Join the conversation to stay updated on our latest news or just send us a message to say hello! facebook.com/pathwaystoeducationcanada twitter.com/pathwayscanada linkedin.com/company/pathways-to-education-canada 2
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION PROGRAMMING At Pathways to Education we are excited to celebrate 15 years of successful programming in Canada fifteen years dedicated to supporting youth from lowincome communities with a winning combination of academic, financial, social, and one-on-one supports to help them graduate from high school and successfully transition to post-secondary education, training, or employment. As I look back over the milestones of the past 15 years, I am extremely proud of the incredible growth trajectory, the excellent and consistent results year over year, the growing number of truly dedicated community partners, staff, and volunteers, and our loyal supporters from coast to coast. Together, we have supported thousands of youth from diverse backgrounds and circumstances to ensure they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Thanks to each of you for your continued support of Pathways to Education and Canadian youth. Many of you have been with us from the beginning. We are grateful for your generous investment and trust in Pathways to Education. We have been very fortunate to have a powerful combination of public, corporate, individual, and foundation partnerships that have grown stronger each year and we know we wouldn t be here without your support. As many of you know, the Pathways to Education Program was born out of the vision of the Regent Park Community Health Centre and further developed by Carolyn Acker, then Executive Director, and Norman Rowen, the first Pathways Program Director. We are grateful for their insights, persistence, and hard work the foundation of Pathways. Pathways first cohort was 83 students and 15 years later we celebrate serving 10,000 youth, their families, and communities from coast to coast. While we celebrate 15 successful years of positive impact on so many lives, we know our work is not done. We know that there are still thousands of youth and families across Canada that could benefit from the Pathways Program. Recent reports highlight that Canada ranks 26th out of 35 nations with respect to the well-being of children* and that 1-in-5 children still live in poverty across this country.** We have an ambitious plan that will take us through 2020 that includes continuing to invest in program excellence, expansion to reach more youth, and continued innovation and evaluation. We look forward to reaching even more youth, families, and communities. We will continue to adapt and explore new ways to break the cycle of poverty through the power of education and together we will succeed to make Canada a Graduation Nation. Sincerely, SUE GILLESPIE President and CEO Pathways to Education Canada ** Unicef Canada s Unicef Report Card 13: Fairness for Children ** Family Service Toronto s 2015 Report Card on Child, and Family Poverty in Canada 3
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER FOUNDER OF PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION REFLECTS ON 15 YEARS OF SUCCESS In 2001, as Executive Director of the Regent Park Community Health Centre, Carolyn Acker founded Pathways to Education with then Program Director, Norman Rowen. Fifteen years later, she reflects on why they created Pathways and what the 15th anniversary means to her. We wanted to break the cycle of poverty Pathways emerged from our efforts to implement the Regent Park Health Centre s audacious vision of community succession. Our dream was that the young people growing up in the community would be the future doctors, nurses, social workers, community development workers, and administrators of the Centre. What we really wanted to do was break the cycle of poverty. It was the community who told us if you want that vision to come true, you have to focus on two things: education and employment. Up to 77% of kids dropping out Our research uncovered the biggest issue that needed tackling: there was a 56 per cent high school dropout rate, and for the children of single parents and immigrants it was 77 per cent. We found that youth had little to no academic support, had no social capital, and had financial problems. They were living within a culture of fear and despair. The kids are capable of being anything There was a fellow named Ainsworth Morgan who grew up in Regent Park. He graduated from university on a football scholarship, played for the CFL, retired, went back to teachers college, and then came to teach at his old school, Nelson Mandela Park Public School. He had told his Grades 7 and 8 students that he grew up in Regent Park, and they looked at him and said, No way, sir. You can t be a teacher and come from here. Carolyn Acker founded Pathways to Education in 2001 with a vision to break the cycle of poverty through education. Education really does have the power to change everything, says Carolyn Acker, Founder, Pathways to Education. The youth had no hope for their future. For me that said it all, because they re capable of being anything they want if they re given the proper supports. So, we started Pathways in September 2001, with close to a hundred youth going into Grade 9. I m proud of the students Here we are now, 15 years later, and there are 17 Pathways Program locations from coast to coast. Now we have over 5,000 students across the country and the results are similar to the results achieved in Regent Park. Creating Pathways was the hardest thing I ve ever done, but it was worth it. I feel very proud of the accomplishments of Pathways, and especially proud of the students, because they have to work as hard as we do to graduate from high school. Education really does have the power to change everything! It is unbelievable to see what happens to a young person when they believe that they can accomplish their dreams when they re given the support they need to succeed. To hear more from Carolyn, watch her interview here: https://pathwaystoeducation.ca/carolyn-acker-15-years 4
ALUMNI STORIES THE STORY OF TARAK Tarak, a Pathways alumnus, was one of the first graduates of the Pathways Program. We asked Tarak what it was like to be a Pathways student, what it s been like to see Pathways grow over the years, and how he feels about the 15th anniversary. Overcoming immigration and language barriers Being one of the first students to experience such a new type of program was amazing. My family emigrated from Bangladesh, so getting that support was really helpful. I didn t have older siblings, my parents didn t speak the language, and I didn t really have a lot of family here, but there was Pathways. Connections that wouldn t exist without Pathways The big things that drew me to Pathways were the tutoring and getting bus tickets to go to school. But as time passed, there was a lot more that came into play that I really appreciated. Pathways felt more like a family and that really impacted me. My Student/Parent Support Worker (SPSW) was someone I could talk to about my social issues, personal problems, school challenges, anything I wanted. It was someone to listen to me and support me because I didn t have that support at home. The students from my cohort are in law school and medical school I hope one day the Pathways Program will be available to every single low-income youth that needs support, regardless of where they are. That the Program has been successful and growing every single year really shows that there s a need for this kind of service in our communities. I sometimes think about the students that were in my cohort and that impact the Program had on them. Some of them are in law school, some of them are in medical school, some of them are doing amazing work around the city. To know that for the last 15 years Pathways has been providing those same services across Canada makes me really happy. I remember the little things sitting down with my SPSW, going camping, all of the friends that I made throughout the Program. There was a really important social aspect to it. And then there was the mentoring. I remember in Grade 11 we went to a law firm. To go up to a Bay Street tower, sit in their boardroom, meet some of their partners those were the kind of professionals that we wouldn t be able to meet in our everyday lives. Those were the connections and opening of doors that wouldn t exist without Pathways. Tarak, a Pathways alumnus, was one of the earliest graduates of the Program. He is now a social worker in Toronto, Ontario and is still very involved with Pathways. 5
ALUMNI ADVISORY COMMITTEE LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT GRADUATES The Alumni Advisory Committee is a volunteer committee of over 10 Pathways alumni from across the country. With over 3,000 alumni and counting, the Alumni Advisory Committee s goal is to help Pathways best serve our alumni community. As more students graduate from high school and the number of Pathways alumni increases, Pathways to Education will look to the Alumni Advisory Committee for advice on how best to support their growing community. We spoke to a few of the Alumni Advisory Committee members to get their perspective on the Committee, the growing alumni community, favourite memories, and 15 years of Pathways to Education. Ermias graduated from high school and the Pathways Program in 2011. He is now studying Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Ermias joined the Alumni Advisory Committee because he wants to give back to Pathways. Richard was a part of the first graduating class of Pathways students in 2005. He now owns his own film production company, Black Belt Productions. Being a part of the first graduating class is one of his favourite Pathways memories. Roshaan graduated from high school in 2013. She is now in her third year of university, pursuing an International Bachelor of Business Administration. She is proud to serve the needs of Pathways alumni. As an alumnus, how did you feel when you first heard there was going to be an Alumni Advisory Committee? Ermias: I was very excited to engage with Pathways on a larger scale. I decided to volunteer to be a part of the Alumni Advisory Committee as I have a detailed perspective of Pathways as a whole, experience in team settings, and the desire to give back to Pathways. Richard: I felt excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Pathways organization on a higher level. I have spent many years helping Pathways. It only felt natural to be a part of this Committee to further my reach in assisting the organization. Roshaan: I felt glad when I first heard that there was going to be an Alumni Advisory Committee. Pathways to Education has developed substantially over the years, and the alumni base is growing exponentially. The Committee is critical for gathering the thoughts and needs of the alumni. Why do you think the Alumni Advisory Committee is important? Ermias: It s a great method of assessing the unique needs of Pathways alumni and students. Richard: The future of Pathways will be spearheaded by alumni. Pathways can gain many inside 6
thoughts and advice from those who have gone through the Program. Roshaan: Not only does the committee signify an honest interest by Pathways to listen to its alumni, but it also provides potential for momentous improvement in engaging future alumni. What is your favourite Pathways memory? Ermias: Undeniably, my favourite Pathways memory is being notified by Rudhra Persad that I was selected to receive my first-ever hospital internship at Mount Sinai Hospital! A past Pathways program facilitator for employment and internships and a great mentor, Rudhra challenged me to pursue this opportunity provided by Pathways, taught me how to successfully apply for a job, and helped me realize my potential. Richard: There are many, but being in the first-ever graduating class of the Pathways Program is one of the best. Roshaan: My favourite Pathways memory is being able to go to the Pathways office after school to chat with my mentor about anything and everything. Pathways is celebrating the 15th anniversary of Pathways programming this year. What does this anniversary mean to you? Ermias: The 15th anniversary of Pathways programming makes me feel excited and very proud of the accomplishments this Program has made. I think the Alumni Advisory Committee can play an important role in recognizing active alumni members, and getting the word out to as many future alumni as possible. Richard: It feels pretty amazing to know Pathways is still going and that it s helping alumni across Canada. Roshaan: The anniversary makes me feel proud and happy because it signifies 15 years of positive change in communities across Canada. We are truly creating a Graduation Nation and I believe that the Alumni Advisory Committee can help to provide perspective and experiences that will bring the alumni perspective to life. ALUMNI AT A GLANCE 2020 3,1 38 Number of graduates: 3,138 The number of alumni is estimated to be larger than the number of students by 2020 73% of all Pathways students who graduated from high school while in the Program have gone on to post-secondary education or training Top 5 areas of study for Pathways alumni Health & Medical Business & Finance Social & Life Sciences Professional & Service Engineering & Engineering Technicians 7
PATHWAYS NEWS SIXTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY WINTER FEAST IN WINNIPEG BRINGS TOGETHER 500 TO CELEBRATE WINNIPEG S YOUTH Not even a Winnipeg-caliber snowstorm could keep 500 North Winnipegers away from the sixth annual Community Winter Feast in Winnipeg. Coinciding with the Winter Solstice, community members of all ages gathered at the North Indian & Metis Friendship Centre in Winnipeg s North End to celebrate youth and their limitless potential. Families delighted in a homecooked meal, lively entertainment, and food and gift giveaways. The Winter Feast is all about community. It s as much a celebration of students as it is the work they are contributing in the community and in school. The importance of the community feast goes far beyond one evening. It s important in nurturing relationships, trust, and asserting Pathways as a safe and welcoming space, says Pathways supporter, Kate Giesbrecht, who attended the festivities. Audiences cheered as a 12-member high school drama troupe presented an original play, sang songs, danced, and shared indigenous teachings. 500 North Winnipeg residents gather for the sixth annual Community Winter Feast. 8
Pathways students in green t-shirts represent the strength and potential of Winnipeg s youth. Pathways students and staff beamed in their bright green t-shirts as they served hearty dishes to families, friends, and neighbours. Jubilant children weaved through the crowd, tearing open gifts like colouring books, crayons, snowball makers, and stickers won in the evening s raffle. Children and youth are the heroes of the evening. That s special because they represent the next generation of Pathways students, says Giesbrecht. There is such a beautiful sense of community and celebration at this event, says Giesbrecht. It s all so undeniably Winnipeg. Inclusion and cooperation are at the heart of this yearly event, and every Pathways student contributes to the Winter Feast s success. Senior students take part in event logistics, while younger students play a more hands-on role. This year, Grades 9 and 10 students crafted each table s centrepiece as a mentoring activity. The 2016 Winter Feast welcomed Pathways partners from RBC Foundation, United Way, The Winnipeg Foundation, The Souchay Gossen Family Foundation, and government. The crowd roared when Premier Greg Selinger entered the room, shaking hands with community members, and delving into conversations about the community and its youth. A community elder entertains a group of children in a storytelling circle. 9
SCHOOL PERSEVERANCE SUPERHEROES RAISE THEIR GLASSES TO GETTING HOOKED ON SCHOOL On February 18, 2016, local supporters, politicians, and Pathways alumni transformed into school perseverance superheroes, gathering to celebrate Quebec s annual Hooked on School Days. Among the distinguished guests at Montreal s BDC offices, Rio Tinto, Quebec Program Champion, took centre stage. Also in attendance were guests from National Bank, Centraide du Grand Montréal, Air Canada Foundation, The Blema & Arnold Steinberg Foundation, and Jean-François Parenteau, the Mayor of Verdun. The Pathways Program is having a considerable impact on the lives of future citizens, and has had a positive effect on the communities that participate, and society as a whole, says Pierre Côté, President and Executive Director, Pathways to Education, Quebec. By offering me the tools, people, and resources to succeed, I can assure you that my path would not have been the same without this wonderful program! says Ion, a Pathways alumnus who shared his story with the crowd of 60. Delivered in six Quebec communities to more than 700 students, the Pathways Program has played an important role in engaging young people with education. Results point to a trend in lowering high school dropout rates, an important indicator of the Program s effectiveness. Pathways alumna, Amy, presents school perseverance superhero recognition to Pathways Board Chair, Sam Duboc at a reception on February 18 in Montreal. 10 Gervais Jacques, Bryan Tucker, and Michelle Adams of Rio Tinto, Quebec Program Champion, celebrate Hooked on School Days with Sue Gillespie and Quinn Bingham from Pathways to Education Canada at a reception in Montreal.
SUPPORT MATTERS ON YOUR MARKS: BOSTON MARATHON FUNDRAISING EFFORTS SOAR PAST $200,000 THANKS TO MANULIFE EMPLOYEES On April 18, 2016, 32 Manulife employees laced up their sneakers for the run of a lifetime at the 2016 Boston Marathon. Manulife operates as John Hancock in the U.S. and has been the marathon s principal sponsor for the last 31 years. And for the fourth time, Pathways was honoured to be the recipient of the runners fundraising efforts. Since 2013, the enthusiastic group has raised nearly $200,000 for Pathways programming across Canada. Each year, Pathways has been delighted to participate in training runs down Toronto s busy streets, giving our cheering muscles a solid workout. Our congratulations and sincere thanks to all of the runners and to all the friends and supporters who helped them achieve their goal. Manulife employees at a Boston Marathon John Hancock Employee Training program practice run. Runners have raised nearly $200,000 for Pathways to Education over the last four years. 11
HOW ONE AWARD-WINNING EMPLOYEE-GIVING PROGRAM IS RALLYING SUPPORT FOR PATHWAYS YOUTH When employees rally together for a good cause, an organization s human strength shines. But how do you build a culture of giving so that employees across an office, or even in offices across the country, enthusiastically take part? Northbridge has the award-winning, secret recipe for employee engagement. Under the umbrella of their social responsibility framework, Northbridge Cares, employees have been joining together to create success for Canadian youth by giving back to their communities. One initiative of Northbridge Cares has been the successful Give Together campaign. Every fall since 2013, the national week-long campaign encourages employees to donate to Northbridge s charitable partners. Northbridge sweetens the incentive with a matching gift for every donation. Pathways to Education is one of five charities that employees have been able to select over the years, with donations to Pathways programming totalling $85,000. Every year during our Give Together campaign, we get a chance to really come together as a group and focus our attention on supporting our partners, says Silvy Wright, President & CEO of Northbridge. Through our Northbridge Cares focus, we work with organizations like Pathways to make a difference in our communities and help create greater success for Canadian youth specifically, supporting them to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. Any employee-giving initiative has to be easy. For Give Together, this happens through a seamless back-end. Employees can give online and through payroll deduction, making the donation process worry-free. The proof is in the numbers: the annual giving trend is rising. The November 2015 Give Together campaign raised the most money for charity yet: over $183,000 with matching. Since 2013, Northbridge has committed $1 million in funding, internships for students and alumni, and participated in multi-level volunteering, like these Northbridge employees volunteering at Grad Ball 2015. Photographer: Mary Elizabeth Armstrong www.maryelizabetharmstrong.com 12
Every year during our Give Together campaign, we get a chance to really come together as a group and focus our attention on supporting our partners, says Silvy Wright, President & CEO of Northbridge. Photographer: Mary Elizabeth Armstrong www.maryelizabetharmstrong.com We all give back in many ways throughout the year, but this campaign gives us a chance to pool our efforts and show our communities just how much Northbridge cares, says Drita Bogic, Manager, Social Responsibility at Northbridge. For Pathways to Education, Give Together is a way to spread the word about breaking the cycle of poverty through education. In 2014, as excitement was building for Give Together, Northbridge invited Pathways representatives to make a presentation to employees at the Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Vancouver offices. Give Together posters hang in every Northbridge office while campaign representatives travel floor to floor promoting the campaign and encouraging staff to get involved. The representatives cheer their colleagues on and share information and videos of the selected charities impact, like the ones available at pathwaystoeducation.ca/ success-stories. Since 2013, Northbridge, Pathways National Employment and Internship Partner, has committed $1 million in funding, internships for students and alumni, and numerous career mentorship activities, like speed-mentoring sessions and mock interviews, which build important employment skills for Pathways youth. Their engagement in Pathways to Education also includes multi-level volunteering in activities like Pathways Employment Advisory Committee, Future Forward, the annual student employment conference, and Grad Ball. Northbridge is the perfect example of a complete partnership, says Steven Presser of Pathways to Education. We re honoured that they ve made such a deep investment in Pathways. Their enthusiasm for raising funds and awareness for the cause is what corporate philanthropy is all about. Give Together is just one piece of Northbridge s overall investment in Pathways to Education. 13
LANDMARK GIFT TO PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION IS PART OF THE SLAIGHT FAMILY FOUNDATION CHILDREN AND YOUTH INITIATIVE Leave it to Gary and Donna Slaight to turn philanthropic giving into a team sport. Pathways to Education Canada is honoured to be a partner of the Slaight Family Foundation Children and Youth Initiative. On February 10, 2016, at the Ada Slaight Hall at Daniels Spectrum in Toronto, the Slaight Family Foundation continued what has become a yearly philanthropic tradition of selecting an important issue in the hearts and minds of Canadians. This year, 11 charities gathered for the announcement that each will receive $1 million to further child and youth initiatives. The Slaight Family Foundation Children and Youth Initiative aims to support the healthy development of children across Canada [and] will work in partnership with 11 national organizations providing new or expanded services to improve the physical, mental, social, and well-being of children in Canada, said Gary Slaight at the announcement. Funding will enable these organizations to kick-start new initiatives or quickly expand services to improve the lives of Canada s most vulnerable children and youth. Gary Slaight presents a $1 million donation to Sue Gillespie of Pathways to Education. The landmark donation is part of the Slaight Family Foundation Children and Youth Initiative that has been earmarked for post-secondary success programming. Photographer: Gary Beechey 14
This initiative is about ensuring that young people who need it most are getting the supports to be successful, says Pathways President and CEO, Sue Gillespie. Pathways to Education is in a unique position to work with youth to achieve this goal, and we are honoured to be recognized for our efforts to break the cycle of poverty by supporting youth in their education. The donation has been earmarked for postsecondary success, including the introduction of a new scholarship for Pathways students. In honour of their gift, the Slaight Family Foundation will be recognized as Pathways to Education s National Partner, Post-Secondary Success. This initiative is a tremendous acknowledgement of youth potential and how much further young people in low-income communities can go when they have mentors and role models, says Gillespie. Post-secondary success is an important piece in Pathways to Education s strategic plan to 2020. Investments in post-secondary success ensure that students are equipped to achieve their full potential after high school. From left: Sue Gillespie, Pathways to Education, Gary Slaight, Slaight Family Foundation, David Reeve, Pathways to Education, and Anusan, Pathways alumnus. Photographer: Gary Beechey The Slaight Family Foundation takes a strategic approach to their philanthropy. This is about much more than a major donation, says Gillespie. The Slaights shine the spotlight on issues where we can make a measurable impact. This is philanthropy at its very essence; it s about advancing human potential. THIS INITIATIVE IS A TREMENDOUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF YOUTH POTENTIAL AND HOW MUCH FURTHER YOUNG PEOPLE IN LOW- INCOME COMMUNITIES CAN GO WHEN THEY HAVE MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS. Sue Gillespie President and CEO Pathways to Education Canada The Slaight Family Foundation s generous donation will help Pathways students across the country achieve postsecondary success after graduation. 15
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