Pathways to Education Program

Be a role model, provide academic support and help high school students (grades 9 - 12) in Regent Park strive for excellence as a volunteer tutor with the innovative Pathways to Education Program.

Commitment: Once a week for 2 hours (5:00 - 7:00 pm or 6:00 - 8:00 pm) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday

What is the Pathways To Education Program?

The Pathways to Education Program (P2E) is an initiative of the Regent Park Community Health Centre to increase success in high school and access to post-secondary education for students living in the Regent Park community.

The reality of life in Regent Park (located just east of the downtown core) is challenging: the majority of the 10,000 families live in subsidizes housing; the median annual income is only $18,000 a year; 79% of Regent Park's residents are visible minorities; almost 85% of Regent Park residents do not speak English as a first language; and there is no high school in the community which forces all students to commute to other neighbourhoods.

Recognizing that education is one of the most important social determinants of health, the P2E Program was formed three years ago to directly address the challenges faced by young people growing up in Regent Park so that high school students can get to school, stay in school, graduate and move on to post-secondary programs. Currently, over 450 grade 9, 10 and 11 students are enrolled in the program, representing an amazing 97% enrolment rate in the community!

As a parishioner in the Newman Centre community, you have the opportunity to be a part of this exciting and unique project as an academic tutor. This will be an excellent experience for those interested in a teaching, social service or youth development career, or simply if you are interested in positively impacting the lives of teenagers in our local community.

What will the volunteer work entail?

As a P2E volunteer tutor, you will have the opportunity to be a positive role model and provide academic support to grade 9, 10, 11, and 12 students in the Regent Park community. The focus will be on literacy and learning through context and subject applications in English, Math, Sciences, French, Geography and History. You will be asked to commit to one evening per week for 2 hours: 1 ½ hours of tutoring one on one or in mixed-grade groups of up to 4 students, and an additional ½ hour for recording observations and planning with other volunteers and staff.

When and Where will I volunteer?

The shift choices are 5:00 - 7:00 PM or 6:00 - 8:00 PM from Monday to Thursday each week from September to December; January to May; or September to May. Tutoring locations are located in the Parliament and Dundas area at the heart of the Regent Park community, and are within walking distance of the Pathways to Education Office (411 Parliament Street, 2nd Floor--just north of Gerrard Street East).

Click Here for a Map of where Pathways To Education is Located in Toronto

What support is available for volunteers?

There are Program Facilitators to organize and support the volunteers and students each evening on-site and on an ongoing basis. A staff person is always present to assist with attendance, supervision and distribution of resource equipment. Letters of reference and appreciation are available to all successful P2E volunteers.

How do I get involved?

To volunteer with Pathways to Education, please contact Peter Baltutis, the Director of Outreach Ministry for the Newman Centre, at outreach@newmantoronto.com.

Where can I get more information?

If you would like to learn more about the Pathways to Education Program, please visit www.p2e.ca.

By participating in the Pathways to Education Program, you are making a strong statement that you are interested in reaching out to youth, you are willing to donate your time and energy to support them strive for personal excellence and you support local efforts that align with your Christian vision of social justice.