Phelps Helps announces two new programs

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federal and provincial governments; we never thought we would get here,” Lowry said. “We’re really proud to get to this point.”

Phelps Helps originally targeted students in Grades 7 and 8 based on statistics that suggested the following year was a make or break time, based on drop-out rates.

After seeing the impact the program had on students, Lowry said, “we need to do more, we have to get bigger, we have to go younger.” And so they did. Currently, Phelps Helps offers a homework program and an education program for elementary students, a high school tutoring program, a peer mentoring program pairing high school with elementary students, and a one-week summer day camp in August for kids aged 10-13.

According to Lowry, Phelps Helps has grown to meet the needs demonstrated in the community, and the new programs are the next logical step in the process.

The two new programs, Phelps en français and the Graduate Support Program, will extend Phelps Helps’ offerings to the local French community, and also continue support to students following graduation as they pursue post-secondary studies or enter the job market.

Phelps en français will involve a third evening per week of homework support and tutoring, taking place completely in French.

Lowry explained that one of the biggest obstacles for Anglophone students in graduating high school is completing the compulsory French requirement.

Being in an entirely French environment will give students an opportunity to concentrate on their language skills without slipping into English if they get stumped, according to Lowry. It will also open the door to French students from elementary and high schools around Stanstead who could benefit from tutoring. Lowry added that French students are welcome to attend any of the English programs currently offered by Phelps Helps.

The Graduate Support Program will formalize some things Phelps Helps was already doing, Lowry said.

While getting students to graduation is Job one for Phelps Helps, Lowry said, “It doesn’t end there.”

“First entering the job market is not so easy,” she said.

“We want to make sure all the logistics are covered,” Lowry said, explaining the new program will help recent grads with CV writing, school and student loan applications, and help eliminate any other obstacles they may have in moving forward with future studies or finding gainful employment.

The new programs will involve two new hires, Lowry said, pointing out she and operations manager Clea Corman would be spread too thin across seven programs.

The funding that will help launch the two new initiatives was provided by the community Innovation Fund (CIF), a federal pilot program managed by the Quebec Community Groups Network. The focus of the project is youth employability.

Phelps Helps is the only organization in the Townships to receive CIF funding. Lowry added that Phelps Helps is the newest group involved in the pilot project. “I think we are around 30 years younger than the other organizations,” she commented.

Phelps Helps was awarded $83,522 from the CIF to assist with the launch of the two new programs.

An additional $20,000 was recently allotted to Phelps Helps from the Quebec Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports, which Lowry said will be spread across the needs of all Phelps Helps programs.

Lowry was joined at yesterday’s press conference by local supporters Josiane Bergeron, coordinator for Project PRÉE (Partenaires pour la réussite éducative en Estrie) and Christian Vachon, founder of the Christian Vachon foundation.

“Everyone has a role to play,” Bergeron said, regarding decreasing the local dropout rate. She shared a number of statistics pointing to a lower standard of living among people without a high school diploma, earning an average of $15,000 less than someone who completed high school.

Bergeron also said that a mother’s education level has an impact on children. For mothers who do not complete high school, there is a greater chance that her children will face educational challenges.

“PRÉE believes in the importance and necessity of initiatives like Phelps Helps,” Bergeron said.

Christian Vachon explained that the goal of his foundation is to give students a level playing field.

His organization seeks out students whose families are experiencing financial difficulty and ensures that, when school starts in September, that they have everything they need to start the year on the right foot.

According to Vachon, that includes clothes, school supplies, and even financial assistance for extra-curricular activities and sports.

Vachon’s mission to level the playing field draws from his personal experience. While he has a successful career as a fireman and first responder, Vachon said his greatest obstacle in life was getting through high school.

He has been a partner and supporter of Phelps Helps for the past two years.

“We’re always looking at being sustainable,” Lowry said. “The problem isn’t going away.”

While acknowledging the financial support the organization has received from the government and some 21 local businesses, community supporters and partners, Lowry also gave a nod to the volunteers who make Phelps Helps a success at the ground level.

“All those people giving their time, their energy. That is so valuable,” she said. According to Lowry, there are a number of Phelps Helps graduates who have since become volunteers.

“We’re always reaching out to more partners,” Lowry said, for financial support, but also to learn from the experience of other community groups in an effort to constantly improve the Phelps Helps model.

“Our doors are open, and our minds are open,” she said, always interested in new ideas.

Lowry said that based on an idea shared by a local parent, Phelps Helps will host its first annual softball tournament on June 10-11, proving the tutoring program isn’t just all work, no play.