Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre: Pathways to Education

Pathways to Education is a community-based program designed to reduce poverty and its effects by lowering the drop-out rate among high school youth from economically disadvantaged communities and increasing their participation in post-secondary programs.

The initiative uses a comprehensive program structured around four pillars of support: academic, social, financial and advocacy. It provides local high school students with academic tutoring, group mentoring, student and parent advocacy and support, and scholarships for all students who complete high school and are accepted into post-secondary programs.

171 students, from 12 local schools, registered for the initiative's fall 2008 school year. A complement of 45 volunteers have been supporting the youth throughout both terms. The initiative has engaged parents to be actively involved in their children's education by holding community forums and information sessions. The initiative has recently introduced participants to opportunities for volunteerism within the community to promote civic engagement.