HSBC Bank Canada investing $400,000 in Pathways to Education Canada to expand programs supporting indigenous high school students in low-income communities

HSBC will help Indigenous students graduate from high school and continue with post-secondary studies

TORONTO, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Pathways to Education Canada is pleased to announce HSBC Bank Canada is further increasing its commitment to Indigenous youth education by supporting the expansion of programming in three communities where students face daunting challenges to graduate from high school.

HSBC's $400,000 investment over three years will bolster Pathways programs in communities with high Indigenous representation. The HSBC involvement will allow for expansion of one-on-one tutoring, mentoring and financial support.

"HSBC Bank Canada has been a loyal Pathways supporter, recognizing that the best way to build communities in a sustainable way is through education," says Vivian Prokop, President and CEO of Pathways to Education. "Our program recognizes the unique challenges our students face and provides the skills that youth need to succeed both in and out of the classroom."

The funding will establish the Pathways HSBC Indigenous Education Attainment Fund, which will help more than 400 high school students in its first year by providing the support and encouragement that all young people need to thrive.

Paulo Maia, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Sponsor of HSBC's Indigenous Canadian Employee Resource Group, HSBC Bank Canada, said: "HSBC currently offers six permanently endowed awards for indigenous students at colleges and universities across Canada — but we want to do more.  Through our three-year commitment to Pathways to Education, we aim to help Indigenous youth achieve their full potential."

This commitment is part of a wider community investment program which also includes a charitable contribution from HSBC Bank Canada to Indspire.  Specifically designed to enable more Indigenous youth to successfully complete high school and make the transition to post-secondary education, the new HSBC programs are expected to assist nearly 500 youth in 2014 alone.

In addition to working with thousands of youth across Canada, Pathways aims to raise awareness of the growing achievement gap where more than 400,000 young people in low-income communities are at risk of not graduating from high school. The organization's ultimate goal is to build a Graduation Nation where all young people reach their potential and help their families, communities and country prosper.

About Pathways to Education Canada - www.pathwaystoeducation.ca
Pathways to Education Canada is a charitable organization that helps youth in low-income communities graduate from high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education or training. Pathways addresses systemic barriers to education by providing leadership, expertise and a community-based program proven to lower dropout rates. Founded in 2001, Pathways operates in 16 communities across Canada, with programs in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British Columbia. Pathways was recently recognized with a 2013 World Innovation Summit for Education award (WISE) from the Qatar Foundation for its innovative and effective work in education.

About HSBC Bank Canada
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in Canada. The HSBC Group serves customers worldwide from over 6,300 offices in over 75 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,758bn at 31 March 2014, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

SOURCE: Pathways to Education Canada

Sybil Eastman, Citizen Optimum, 416.306.6660, [email protected]