School is back in session, but many students still struggling to graduate - Together Pathways to Education, HSBC to support record number of youth next year

**Pathways to Education one of more than 140 charities globally to receive a significant
contribution from HSBC's global 150^th anniversary, US$150m community fund**

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Pathways to Education Canada (Pathways) will serve 10,000 youth in low-income communities across Canada in 2016, thanks in-part to a significant increase in charitable funding from HSBC Bank Canada.

Sue Gillespie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Pathways to Education Canada said: "Pathways programming aims to give students from low-income communities the tools they need to address barriers to education, graduate from high school, and  realize their full potential. Today's announcement marks a significant increase in HSBC's financial support for our core and Indigenous-focused programming as well as our scholarships. With this boost, we will be able to offer 75 Pathways HSBC Scholarships this coming school year – triple the number awarded in 2014."

Pathways will receive a significant grant from HSBC's global US$150m community fund over the next three years to support:

• Pathways Core Programming – Working alongside the school system, Pathways provides after-school tutoring, mentoring and financial assistance to students in 17 communities across Canada.
• Pathways HSBC Indigenous Educational Attainment Fund – Supports the delivery of the Pathways to Education Program tailored to Indigenous youth in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec – the Pathways Program locations with the highest self-identifying Indigenous populations.
• Pathways HSBC Scholarship Fund – Provides scholarships for students who have completed the Pathways to Education Program – helping those who may not have otherwise graduated from high school access post-secondary education.

Sandra Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer for HSBC Bank Canada, and HSBC Executive Sponsor of Pathways said: "HSBC and Pathways share in a belief that education has the power to change lives, and that improving access to quality education is fundamental to health, well-being and economic prosperity. Together, we are helping more children and youth – including those from Canada's Indigenous communities – access the academic, financial, and social supports they need to help break the cycle of poverty, enabling strategic, long-term social change."

To mark its 150^th anniversary this year, HSBC will grant US$150m over the next three years (2015-17) to more than 140 selected local charities from around the world. This funding is in addition to the regular annual charitable contributions made by the bank. Last fall HSBC employees voted to decide what charitable themes the US$150m community fund should focus on, and the top themes selected by Canadian employees were education, the environment and children's health.  For more information, visit: www.hsbc.com/150-community-fund

About Pathways to Education Canada: 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 17 communities across Canada. Pathways is the only Canadian organization to be recognized with a 2013 World Innovation Summit for Education award (WISE) from the Qatar Foundation for its innovative and effective work in education. Learn more at: pathwaystoeducation.ca

About HSBC Bank Canada: HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in the country. HSBC helps companies and individuals across Canada to do business and manage their finances internationally through three global business lines: Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Retail Banking and Wealth Management. Canada is a priority market for the HSBC Group – one of the world's largest banking and financial services groups with assets of US$2,572bn at 30 June 2015. Linked by advanced technology, HSBC serves customers worldwide through an international network of around 6,100 offices in 72 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa.

SOURCE Pathways to Education Canada

Media enquiries: Colleen Ryan, Director, Marketing and Communications, Pathways to Education Canada, 416-646-0123 x503, [email protected]; Aurora Bonin, Senior Manager, Media Relations, HSBC Bank Canada, 604-641-1905, [email protected]