Welcome to Pathways to Education’s 2022 Annual Report
from our Acting CEO and Board Chair
Dear Pathways supporters,
We are pleased to share that despite another challenging year in education related to the impacts of the pandemic, our organization experienced a year of continued growth, successful results, and accomplishments, thanks to your support.
Events from this past year continue to amplify barriers for students living in low-income communities, threatening to jeopardize their academic, social, and economic success. At Pathways, we remain committed to implementing innovative solutions to empower them to overcome barriers to education and equip them with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in a post-pandemic world.
This report highlights some of the work that has been accomplished throughout the last year. Our dedicated program staff across Canada found ways to adjust to changing pandemic protocols and, most importantly, keep students connected to their education. They adapted by delivering a blend of in-person and virtual programming and effectively engaging students to ensure their most urgent needs were met. We increased our focus on technology to facilitate the virtual connections between front-line staff and students. In addition, we conducted a Youth Connectedness Survey to validate our approach by assessing how connected students felt during the pandemic—with findings confirming that Pathways students see the Pathways Program as a valued source of ongoing support.
Opening three new locations in Quebec and one in Thunder Bay, Ontario, we reached more students living in rural and Indigenous communities. We’ve tested various delivery models with our Program Partners and replicated the best solutions to support expanded programming. Additionally, we adapted a series of new pilots to enhance our program delivery for current students, while also reaching more students by leveraging people, process, data, and technology.
Our latest research and evaluation work includes a third-party evaluation by the federal government, where findings highlight the positive ways the Pathways Program continues to impact students. And a review, conducted by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), further confirmed the many strengths of the Pathways Program—and provided recommendations for ongoing support.
Your commitment as a champion of the Pathways Program is critical to the success of the students we serve. We couldn’t have done this work without the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you for helping us continue making a difference in the lives of youth across Canada. We truly appreciate your dedication and support of our vision to break the cycle of poverty through education.
Quinn Bingham
Vice-President, Chief Development Officer (Acting CEO)
Pathways to Education Canada
Vincent Mercier
Chair, Board of Directors
Pathways to Education Canada
Events from this past year continue to amplify barriers for students living in low-income communities, threatening to jeopardize their academic, social, and economic success. At Pathways, we remain committed to implementing innovative solutions to empower them to overcome barriers to education and equip them with the skills and competencies needed to thrive in a post-pandemic world.
This report highlights some of the work that has been accomplished throughout the last year. Our dedicated program staff across Canada found ways to adjust to changing pandemic protocols and, most importantly, keep students connected to their education. They adapted by delivering a blend of in-person and virtual programming and effectively engaging students to ensure their most urgent needs were met. We increased our focus on technology to facilitate the virtual connections between front-line staff and students. In addition, we conducted a Youth Connectedness Survey to validate our approach by assessing how connected students felt during the pandemic—with findings confirming that Pathways students see the Pathways Program as a valued source of ongoing support.
Opening three new locations in Quebec and one in Thunder Bay, Ontario, we reached more students living in rural and Indigenous communities. We’ve tested various delivery models with our Program Partners and replicated the best solutions to support expanded programming. Additionally, we adapted a series of new pilots to enhance our program delivery for current students, while also reaching more students by leveraging people, process, data, and technology.
Our latest research and evaluation work includes a third-party evaluation by the federal government, where findings highlight the positive ways the Pathways Program continues to impact students. And a review, conducted by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), further confirmed the many strengths of the Pathways Program—and provided recommendations for ongoing support.
Your commitment as a champion of the Pathways Program is critical to the success of the students we serve. We couldn’t have done this work without the generosity of supporters like you. Thank you for helping us continue making a difference in the lives of youth across Canada. We truly appreciate your dedication and support of our vision to break the cycle of poverty through education.
Quinn Bingham
Vice-President, Chief Development Officer (Acting CEO)
Pathways to Education Canada
Vincent Mercier
Chair, Board of Directors
Pathways to Education Canada
from the Chair of the
Alumni Advisory Committee
On behalf of Pathways to Education Canada’s Alumni Advisory Committee, I am proud to share that our collective work over the last year helped create a stronger foundation to support the Pathways youth we represent, both now and into the future.
With young people across the country still adjusting to the challenges brought by the pandemic, as a committee, we have focused on sustainable growth—answering the question, how can we continue adapting and responding to the needs of our diverse network of alumni? Over the past 12 months, we have laid the groundwork to increase our access to all alumni voices.
We’ve grown as a committee, tapping into our unique perspectives and experiences. We created a Terms of Reference framework, which outlines our plan to self-mobilize, organize, and engage. This includes establishing dedicated subcommittees to address key focus areas where we want to make an impact, such as diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice initiatives, and alumni outreach and events.
Since we joined the program, Pathways has been with us every step of the way and has continued to support our success long after graduation. As the Chair of the Alumni Advisory Committee, I have the pleasure of working alongside a group of engaged Pathways alumni. Leveraging the skills and connections we gained from our Pathways experience, we have become a part of the robust support system we were fortunate to access throughout high school.
We thank you for continuing to believe in Pathways youth and our potential. You have been a critical part of our journey to grow, advocate for young people across Canada, and be the changemakers in our communities.
Richard Fung
Pathways alum, Regent Park
Chair of Pathways to Education Canada's Alumni Advisory Committee
Co-Founder & Director of Production, Black Belt Productions Inc.
from the Government
of Canada
Canadian students have overcome so much over the past two years. So much of our ability to learn and to succeed in school depends on our environment, and I know that this time has been very socially, mentally, and physically isolating. It has been especially challenging for marginalized students, as the gaps in education and resources that existed before the pandemic only intensified throughout it. I recognize the incredible perseverance and focus it has taken so many young people to continue their education over the last two years.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to thank Pathways to Education for their unyielding commitment to support students to achieve their goals. It is because of this organization that so many young Canadians are able to realize their potential and start on a path to meaningful, fulfilling careers.
Over 6,000 youth from disadvantaged communities now have access to academic, financial, and social supports to help them complete high school and pursue post-secondary studies. This is thanks to the team at Pathways to Education.
During the last year, Pathways to Education showed innovation and resilience, adapting its programming to ongoing pandemic protocols using a blend of in-person and virtual options. When so many organizations were understandably struggling to maintain their operations, the Pathways team expanded its programming to four new locations in Ontario and Quebec.
Our government is proud to be working with Pathways to Education to build a brighter future for young Canadians. Because when every young person has the chance to pursue an education and a career of their choice, our economy is stronger, and our country is better for it.
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and
Disability Inclusion
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to thank Pathways to Education for their unyielding commitment to support students to achieve their goals. It is because of this organization that so many young Canadians are able to realize their potential and start on a path to meaningful, fulfilling careers.
Over 6,000 youth from disadvantaged communities now have access to academic, financial, and social supports to help them complete high school and pursue post-secondary studies. This is thanks to the team at Pathways to Education.
During the last year, Pathways to Education showed innovation and resilience, adapting its programming to ongoing pandemic protocols using a blend of in-person and virtual options. When so many organizations were understandably struggling to maintain their operations, the Pathways team expanded its programming to four new locations in Ontario and Quebec.
Our government is proud to be working with Pathways to Education to build a brighter future for young Canadians. Because when every young person has the chance to pursue an education and a career of their choice, our economy is stronger, and our country is better for it.
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion
Government of Canada