Boosting graduation rates goal of national charity

Pathways to Education breaks down barriers in low-income neighbourhoods to help students succeed

KITCHENER — While many students are getting new supplies and clothes for the start of the school year, low-income youth are wondering how they’ll get to school or if there will be lunch.

Breaking down the barriers to help more students in vulnerable neighbourhoods graduate is the goal of the national charity Pathways to Education. It is working in 18 communities across Canada, including two Kitchener neighbourhoods.

“The Kitchener program is the second largest,” said Tracy Elop, chief executive officer of Carizon Family and Community Services.

Carizon runs the program for Pathways to Education in the Kingsdale and Chandler Mowat neighbourhoods. When it started 10 years ago, the graduation rate in those neighbourhoods was only 37 per cent; now, it’s up to 67 per cent.

“I think Pathways to Education can take a lot of the credit for that,” Elop said, adding that both local school boards have also focused on improving Waterloo Region’s graduation rates that are below the provincial average.

Pathways’ mission is to break the cycle of poverty through education.

“It is about helping them dream big dreams,” Elop said. “They don’t know what they’re capable of.”

Pathways started in Regent Park in downtown Toronto in 2001 to address high dropout rates. That model has been spread to communities across the country. “It was incredibly successful,” Elop said. Pathways looked at systemic barriers, basically “what’s holding them back from graduating,” and came up with the four program pillars to give students the support they need to stay in school and be successful.

First is academic support, which is tutor-

ing provided after school from Monday to Thursday.

“A lot of these kids, they just need guidance,” Elop said.

The tutoring is done by volunteers, and about 120 are needed every year, which is why Carizon is always on the lookout for volunteers.

Financial support is also crucial. By participating in the program, students earn bus passes and grocery cards.

“A lot of these kids, they might not go to school because they can’t get there easily,” Elop said.

Social supports provide positive socialization among their peers, such as a soccer game in the neighbourhood.

And finally there’s one-on-one support from a staff member, “somebody they can contact if they’re having problems,” Elop said.

While the program is based on the four pillars, it’s individualized to a youth’s needs. Some may be doing well academically, but have other challenges.

Students join in Grade 9 and continue through high school. It’s free to any student in the neighbourhoods served.

Last year in Kitchener, 620 students were in Pathways, about two-thirds in Kingsdale.

“We’re looking at what are the opportunities for Pathways locally. Are there opportunities to expand? We know there are needs beyond these neighbourhoods, but expansion takes funding,” Elop said.

The national organization has different sources of funding, with 65 per cent coming from government of various levels, a portion coming from corporate support, and the rest from foundations, agencies and donations. It funds Carizon to deliver the program locally, and Carizon also directs donations there.

Giving the students the support they need to graduate and realize the importance of education can change the course of their life.

Every spring, Carizon hosts a graduation to celebrate the students’ achievements.

“Watching these youth walk across the stage and talk about what their future plans are is incredibly powerful,” Elop said.

Find out more at www.pathwaystoeducation.ca.