SHAW COMMUNICATIONS INC. Vancouver/Toronto,(March 27, 2015) - Today, the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors, announced the Government of Canada's continued support of Canadian youth by pledging to invest $24 million over the next four years to Pathways to Education Canada (Pathways), a national charitable organization working to break the cycle of poverty through education. With a proven track record over the past 14 years, the Pathways to Education Program™ helps support students in low-income neighbourhoods graduate from high school and build the foundation for a successful future.
"The Government of Canada is proud to continue its partnership with Pathways to Education in finding innovative solutions that help at-risk youth stay in school and pursue post-secondary education," says Minister Wong. "We are committed to making post-secondary education accessible to all Canadians, recognizing that education and training are key factors in building a strong economy and workforce."
"We are thrilled that the Government of Canada is demonstrating such a strong, continued commitment to Canadian youth," says Samuel L. Duboc, Chair, Pathways to Education Canada. "Their generous investment will be extremely valuable as Pathways continues to expand across Canada. Their support will make an important impact on the lives of thousands of youth across the country."
In addition to the Government of Canada's support, Shaw Communications Inc. has entered into a $1.5 million agreement over five years with Pathways to support the expansion of programming for youth from Vancouver`s Downtown Eastside (DTES). Shaw is passionate about children and youth and leads by example as a Founding Funder of the Pathways Vancouver program.
"Shaw is proud to support Pathways to Education as they help youth overcome barriers to education and graduate from high school," says Brad Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, Shaw Communications. "We know education creates opportunities for children and youth in the communities we serve and we are privileged to be a champion of their success."
Vancouver based mining company, Goldcorp Inc. has also confirmed a four-year $500,000 investment in the Vancouver program, as part of its commitment to creating sustainable value by supporting better outcomes for education, health and economic development in the communities where it operates. Together, Shaw Communications and Goldcorp's generous investment of $2 million will support Pathways Vancouver-the first Pathways location in British Columbia-which began registering students in September 2014. The opening of this site marks Pathways' role as a truly national organization, working with students from coast-to-coast. Shaw Communications and Goldcorp join other local funders HSBC and the Vancouver Foundation.
"We are very grateful for the support of Shaw Communications and Goldcorp," says Duboc. Their investments will provide life-changing opportunities for youth from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, a community who faces countless obstacles to educational success."
Pathways has partnered with Pacific Community Resources as part of the Graduation Strategy Partnership in the DTES to provide youth with the necessary resources and network to realize their potential.
As one of Canada`s lowest-income communities, Vancouver's DTES struggles with drug use, mental illness, crime, homelessness, housing issues, unemployment, and loss of business. Our generous lead supporters understand that these pose significant barriers to students and their families in the area, and are committed to turning this situation around for students in the DTES.
Pathways to Education Canada has operated in Canadian communities since 2001, and is working towards a time when all youth in Canada, regardless of their postal code, have the resources they need to reach their full potential.
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. The Pathways program addresses systemic barriers to education by providing academic, social and financial supports proven to lower dropout rates. Founded in 2001, Pathways operates in 17 communities across Canada, with programs in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and British Columbia. The first Canadian organization to be recognized with a World Innovation Summit for Education Award (WISE) for its innovative and effective work in education, Pathways plans to expand nationally and leverage its knowledge to serve more students across the country.
About Shaw Communications Inc. - www.shaw.caShaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company, serving 3.2 million customers through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw serves consumers with broadband Internet, WiFi, Digital Phone and Video products and services. Shaw Business Network Services provides business customers Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, Video and fleet tracking services. Shaw Business Infrastructure Services offers North American enterprises colocation, cloud and managed services through ViaWest. Shaw Media provides Canadians with engaging programming content through one of Canada's largest conventional television networks, Global Television, and 19 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY® and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, NYSE - SJR).
About Goldcorp Inc. - www.goldcorp.comGoldcorp is one of the world's fastest growing gold producers, with operations and development projects located throughout the Americas. A Canadian company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Goldcorp employs more than 18,000 people worldwide. The Company is committed to responsible mining practices and remains 100% unhedged.
About Pacific Community Resources - www.pcrs.caPacific Community Resources Society (PCRS), an award-winning non-profit, delivers alternate education, employment, addiction counselling and prevention services, housing support and cultural enrichment for children, youth, adults and families in Vancouver's Lower Mainland. PCRS works with individuals, businesses, other agencies and governments to deliver more than 40 programs for thousands of individuals. PCRS currently supports many initiatives in the Downtown Eastside including housing for 15 hard-to-house youth; the Broadway Youth Resource Centre, which provides one-stop social, health, education, employment and life skills services to homeless and at-risk youth between 12 and 24; and the youth portion of the Rent Bank providing short-term funding for those at risk of eviction or utility disconnection.
Colleen Ryan, Pathways to Education Canada, 416.646.1234 x503, cryan@pathwayscanada.ca
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