September 13, 2016
Province Announces Support for Program to Help Inner-city Students Succeed
Manitoba’s new government is supporting a program designed to reduce high school drop-out rates and increase access to post-secondary education with a $625,000 grant to Pathways to Education, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today.
“Education opens the door to opportunity, and many young people who face barriers to education have already been able to complete high school and go on to advanced education or meaningful employment with help from Pathways to Education,” said Wishart. “Manitoba’s new government is pleased to provide this funding, which helps to close the opportunity gap for people from disadvantaged communities.”
Established in 2001, Pathways to Education Canada is a national charitable organization that helps youth in low-income communities graduate from high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education or training. The program addresses barriers to education by providing academic, social and financial supports proven to lower dropout rates.
In September 2010, Pathways to Education Canada partnered with the Community Education Development Association (CEDA) to launch a Winnipeg program site to provide programming in Winnipeg’s North Point Douglas, Lord Selkirk and William Whyte communities.
“Many of our students face socio-economic barriers to education that threaten to keep them in a cycle of poverty,” said Darlene Klyne, program director, CEDA/Pathways to Education. “With funding from the Manitoba government, we’re able to provide them with the support needed to overcome these challenges and, in many cases, become the first members of their families to graduate with a high school diploma. Their successes set a new bar for achievement and benefit the whole community.”
The program accepts approximately 100 new students each year and provides:
• nutrition, financial support, bus passes, school supplies and scholarships to 300 students from Grade 8 to 12;
• an activity-based learning program;
• a lending library, student and family literacy program, tutoring, learning resources and computer access;
• a student parent support worker for every student;
• free summer programming to support continued learning over the summer months; and
• one-on-one mentoring, culturally appropriate life-skills training, volunteer and employment opportunities and cultural activities and ceremonies.
Students in the program can also access the North End Trades Discovery Initiative, a year-round program in partnership with Skills Manitoba Canada and the Winnipeg School Division that provides hands on experience in the trades, the minister added. The program incorporates an Indigenous approach to youth development. Approximately 75 per cent of participating students identify as First Nations or Métis.
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