Alliance between Pathways to Education Canada and United Way Greater Toronto

The United Way of Greater Toronto (UWGT) and Pathways to Education Canada (Pathways Canada), two independent not-for-profit organizations with a shared dedication to building stronger and healthier communities in the City of Toronto's priority neighbourhoods, have decided to form a strategic alliance to build on the success of Pathways in Regent Park and create additional opportunities to support the success of youth in other communities in Toronto.

The alliance is a four-year agreement to support the creation and delivery of the Pathways to Education Program in communities in the City of Toronto.

Since 2001, the Pathways to Education Program has demonstrated significant and consistent results in reducing the high school dropout rate in the Regent Park community. Through local community agencies, Pathways Canada is supporting the replication of the program in Lawrence Heights and Rexdale (Jamestown). Both communities are among the thirteen identified as a priority for UWGT and the City of Toronto. Other communities beyond the thirteen may also be considered for subsequent replication. Parents and youth must want the program and be involved in its development. The selection of the communities will be made on the joint recommendation of UWGT and Pathways Canada.


The goals of the alliance are to:

• Support the delivery of the Pathways to Education Program in communities in the City of Toronto;
• Report on outcomes from the delivery of the program in each community;
• Determine additional communities for possible replication;
• Approach funders and governments collaboratively for support for the Pathways to
  Education Program.

Pathways Canada will:

• Provide key program supports to the community partner agencies to ensure the program is delivered effectively;
• Oversee the delivery of the programs and ensure local agency ownership and accountability;
• Together with the respective local community agencies, will work to secure the financial resources to meet the budget for each local program;
• Support the 'community engagement' and 'program development' activities in two additional communities-one in 2008/09 and one in 2009/10;
• Report on the results of the Program's delivery at each site.

United Way of Greater Toronto will provide:

• A portion of the funding for the delivery of the Program in the current sites and in two
  additional communities;
• $8 million paid over four years directly to the agencies delivering Pathways programs in the respective communities;
• $2 million paid over four years directly to Pathways Canada to support the development of Pathways Canada's capacity to transfer the knowledge and experience of Pathways to Education to the communities and agencies delivering the Program in the City of Toronto.

The alliance is governed by a joint committee of the respective Boards of Pathways Canada and UWGT. This committee will annually review the terms and ensure that accountability and reporting requirements are met.

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For more information about United Way of Greater Toronto, please visit the organization's website.