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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

United Way to contribute up to $1.5 million over three years in support of Summer Use of Schools Programs

Focus on Youth Program Underway in Toronto

TORONTO, July 3, 2007 – United Way of Greater Toronto joined the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the Toronto District Catholic School Board (TDCSB) and the Ontario Ministry of Education today announcing more details about the Focus on Youth Program, opening schools as community space and offering thousands of children and youth access to recreational, learning, leadership and employment opportunities in key neighbourhoods across Toronto this summer.

The program is designed to keep Toronto's youth engaged and productive during the summer holidays.

As a funding partner, United Way will contribute up to $500,000 this summer to support programs in schools participating in the Focus on Youth Program and has committed to contributing $500,000 for each of the next two summers, a total of $1.5 million over three years.

The United Way is pleased to support this very important initiative to provide services to youth in key neighbourhoods across Toronto," said Frances Lankin, CEO of United Way of Greater Toronto. " Having access to space in our schools and having community agencies providing programming, which the United Way is helping to fund, will make an important difference to youth and neighbourhoods across the city this summer."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Focus On Youth Program Launches at 106 sites across Toronto with 161 participating agencies

Toronto, ON, Tuesday, July 3, 2007 – Thousands of Toronto youth in high-need neighbourhoods will have improved access to summer learning and recreational activities as well as job opportunities this summer thanks to the Focus on Youth program.

Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne joined Focus on Youth Steering Committee Chair and Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Trustee Bruce Davis, and Vice-chair and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) Trustee Catherine LeBlanc-Miller as they announced further details about the summer program on July 3 at Blessed John XXIII Catholic School.

“I am very pleased to see our community and education partners working together on this important initiative,” said Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne. “Focus on Youth offers safe, fun, and supportive summer environments for positive activities and employment experiences to our next generation of community leaders.”

“We are taking a positive step in supporting our young people,” Trustee Bruce Davis said about the opportunity to reach out to thousands of children and youth this summer at 106 sites working with 161 participating agencies. “The cooperation between school boards, community partners, and the province is an excellent example of what we can achieve by working together to support youth in this city.”

“We are working closely with our partners at the TDSB and in the community to provide young people with positive choices during the summer,” added Trustee LeBlanc-Miller. “Overall, this initiative will employ more than 400 young Torontonians who will be placed in community organizations or who will work to keep their schools clean over the summer. This is an ambitious effort that we are launching this week.”

Minister Wynne and Trustees Davis and LeBlanc-Miller were joined by Trustees from TDSB and TCDSB and representatives of community partners, along with The United Way of Greater Toronto, a funding partner in the program.

“The United Way supports the province and the school boards in their efforts to increase community access to schools during the summer,” said Frances Lankin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto. “Accessible space is an absolute key requirement for building stronger, healthier neighbourhoods, as is providing effective programming for children and youth. So I am pleased to announce that the United Way will contribute up to $500,000 this summer for organizations participating in the Focus on Youth activities. In addition, we are prepared to pledge a similar amount for the next two years, contingent on the province and the school boards agreeing to a three-year initiative.”

Focus on Youth is a joint TDSB and TCDSB program that will see community organizations offer recreational, learning, leadership, and employment opportunities for youth in high-need neighbourhoods this summer. The Ministry of Education is providing $4 million in funding for the programs, which will be hosted at 106 schools across the city.

The program also offers paid employment opportunities for hundreds of young people by placing them with more than 161 agencies to help carry out activities such as summer camps and recreational programs.

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The Toronto District School Board serves more than 270,000 students throughout 560 schools.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board educates close to 90,000 students from diverse cultures and language backgrounds in its 201 Catholic elementary and secondary schools.

 

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