PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION CANADA RECEIVES GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM MANITOBA
GOVERNMENT AND RBC FOUNDATION

WINNIPEG, Oct. 19 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Manitoba and RBC Foundation announced their support for Pathways to Education, the program that is helping students in Winnipeg's North Point Douglas, Lord Selkirk Park and William Whyte graduate high school and go on to pursue post-secondary education.  RBC Foundation announced a $1 million dollar commitment to Pathways to Education with a focus on the Winnipeg program, while the Manitoba Government reiterated their support of the program and their dedication to breaking down barriers that prevent Manitobans from taking full advantage of educational opportunities.

"The Manitoba government has worked with school divisions and community-based partners to improve education outcomes for all students, including those who face barriers to completing high school and pursuing a post-secondary education," said Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger. ""Pathways to Education is an excellent example of a successful community partnership that will positively affect the lives of Manitobans for this and future generations through improved health, social benefits and employment opportunities."

The Province of Manitoba has been involved in development work in the community since 2008 through its Bright Futures program. Bright Futures supports community-based agencies to deliver early intervention programming that reduces barriers to help under-represented students graduate and pursue post-secondary education.  Through this program, the Pathways to Education program is receiving $425,000 in the current fiscal year.  Pathways will use this money to ensure that students in the Northern Winnipeg communities receive the holistic support they need to graduate high school and unlock their full potential, as it has done in its ten other communities across Canada.

"Each year, Pathways to Education Canada helps thousands of kids from economically disadvantaged areas overcome barriers in their communities and graduate high school," said Samuel L. Duboc, Chairman, Pathways to Education Canada.  "With the support of partners like the Government of Manitoba and the RBC, Pathways is building a strong coalition of local leaders to ensure Winnipeg students have access to the supports they need to unlock their full potential."

RBC has been a long time supporter of Pathways to Education Canada, first partnering with the program in 2002.  Today, RBC announced an additional $1 million in funding that will be directed mainly to the Winnipeg program.

"RBC is pleased to extend its support for Pathways to Education Canada to Winnipeg," said Rob Johnston, Regional President, RBC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan & NW Ontario.  "As an organization, we have witnessed the success that the Pathways program has had in reducing dropout rates in communities across the country and are excited to see the impact it will have in Winnipeg."

The Pathways to Education program offers a comprehensive, community-based and results-focused approach that sets it apart from other programs in its holistic commitment to improving the opportunities of participating students. Pathways provides academic tutoring, group and career-oriented mentoring, student advocacy and financial assistance, including transit tickets or meal vouchers as well as academic scholarships for post-secondary studies. Since its inception in Toronto's Regent Park in 2001, Pathways has expanded to eleven communities across the country as part of its long term goal to serve 10,000 students in 20 communities by 2015.

In June of this year, Pathways to Education Canada announced its expansion into Manitoba with the provinces first site in Winnipeg.  The Pathways program is delivered through the Community Education Development Association, and serves the communities of North Point Douglas, Lord Selkirk Park and William Whyte, where 90 students have already enrolled in the program since September.

About Pathways to Education Canada - www.pathwaystoeducation.ca
Pathways to Education Canada is a community-based charitable organization that is reducing poverty and its effects by lowering the dropout rate and increasing access to post-secondary education among youth in low income communities. Pathways was developed by the Regent Park Community Health Centre which launched the initial program in 2001 and now operates in eleven communities, with programs in Toronto (Regent Park, Lawrence Heights, Rexdale and Scarborough) as well as Kitchener, Ottawa, Hamilton, Montreal, Halifax, Kingston, and Winnipeg.

For further information:

Tonisha Bath, Optimum Public Relations, 416.967.8125, [email protected]