United Way is one of four charities that HSBC Bank Canada (HSBC) is supporting through an $11 million funding commitment from 2014 to 2020.
The three other charities are Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, Indspire and Pathways to Education Canada. Through this combination of charitable organizations, HSBC is funding wraparound support to Indigenous youth, as well as young people who are at-risk, in low-income communities, or involved in the child welfare system. With programming delivered from coast to coast – including in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City – the aim is to help more young Canadians achieve their educational goals and reach their full potential.
While Canada has one of the highest post-secondary education completion rates amongst Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries,1 there remain major inequalities for under-represented youth. For instance, less than half of Indigenous peoples in Canada have completed post-secondary,2 and youth from low income communities are three times more likely to drop out of high school.3
“At HSBC we believe that every young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, should receive the support they need to pursue their educational goals and prepare for future success,” said Sandra Stuart, President and CEO, HSBC Bank Canada. “We have seen first-hand how these programs are transforming the lives of Canada’s future generations, and we’re building on this success through renewed funding to help promote long-term sustainable change and organizational development.”
HSBC’s funding will support United Way programs that help at-risk school-aged children have a place to go after school where they can be safe, healthy and supported to succeed.
“Having access to after-school programming that sets young people up for success is so important,” said Michael McKnight, President and CEO, United Way British Columbia. “These programs are designed to meet kids’ developmental needs, they build social and emotional well-being and relationship development and provide opportunities for physical activity, ensuring all participants have the ability to achieve their full learning potential.”
HSBC employees will also continue to show their support for children’s education and vulnerable youth through volunteering, employee fundraising and organizing skills-based events. For more information (link to news release).
1) Education at a Glance Canada, Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (2013): http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2013_eag-2013-en;jsessionid=i80d4e7yxwlq.x-oecd-live-03
2) Aboriginal Statistics at a Glance: 2nd Edition (2011). http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/89-645-x/2015001/education-eng.htm
3) Boston Consulting Group Assessment of Pathways to Education, Boston Consulting Group, (2011): https://www.pathwaystoeducation.ca/return-investment
Topics : Kids and Youth, Partnerships
