Jet Set Refuel charity event benefits program that helps teens stay in high
school

All money goes to pioneering Pathways to Education Canada

TORONTO , Sept. 16 /CNW/ - Pathways to Education Canada is seeing 80 per cent of its graduates enrol in post-secondary education, compared to less than 20 per cent from the same high schools before implementing its comprehensive tutoring and mentoring program.

"There are so many reasons to support Pathways," says Paul Barter , Executive Director of Future Focus Foundation, a charity that raises money and gives it to organizations helping young people succeed. "But that one statistic says it all: Before Pathways, many at-risk, disadvantaged youth were giving up on school. And now with Pathways so many more are moving on and opening opportunities that not only benefit them, but also their families and the overall community."

Future Focus is hosting a fun event called Jet Set Refuel on Wednesday September 30 in Toronto's Distillery District and every penny raised goes to Pathways to Education Canada . Jet Set Refuel is a refreshing new celebration to augment the annual Ultimate Jet Set Experience, Future Focus' high-octane annual gala fundraiser. The 2010 Ultimate Jet Set Experience next spring will also benefit Pathways.

Jet Set Refuel will run from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. September 30 at the Fermenting Cellar and feature live music, catering by Daniel et Daniel, exclusive auction items, open bar and much more. Tickets can be purchased online.

"These are difficult economic times for everyone and we are delighted that Future Focus has selected Pathways as its latest beneficiary," says David Hughes , President and CEO of Pathways to Education Canada . "We have achieved much success with Pathways, but there is still so much more to do. It is wonderful to have the support of Future Focus, an organization with its own interesting story."

Future Focus began in 2005 when a group of employees at T4G Limited, a national technology services company, set up a charity wing of the company to raise money to help young people succeed. To date, almost $1 million has been raised and channelled to worthy organizations.

Pathways was created in 2001 to reduce the harmful effects of poverty and address the 'achievement gap' in Toronto's Regent Park. It has since expanded to seven additional locations in Ontario and Quebec and is now making preparations to work with local partners in delivering the program across Canada . The Boston Consulting Group independently evaluated the program and called Pathways "one of the most successful programs of its kind anywhere in North America ".

The Pathways to Education Program provides four key supports to ensure young people will complete high school and continue on to post-secondary education and meaningful employment.

    
    The four supports are:

    -   Academic: after-school tutoring in core subject areas
    -   Social: group mentoring for grades 9 and 10, specialty and career
        mentoring for grades 11 and 12.
    -   Financial: immediate financial support such as free bus tickets tied
        to attendance and a bursary for post-secondary education (up to
        $4,000 per student in the program).
    -   Advocacy: Student-Parent Support Workers help connect teens, parents,
        school administration, teachers and community agencies.
    

For further information: www.jetsetrefuel.com; For more information on Pathways: www.pathwaystoeducation.ca; Paul Barter, Executive Director, Future Focus Foundation, [phone], [email protected]; Jennifer Bassett, Event Planner, Bassett Productions, [phone], [email protected]; Bob Brehl, abc2 communications inc., [phone], [email protected]