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Manulife recently announced a $300,000 donation to expand Laurier’s Jumpstart to Higher Education program to Brantford, as well as more schools in Waterloo Region.
The funding from Manulife will extend support of the innovative program to more Grade 7 and Grade 8 students from at-risk communities, equipping them with resources to make decisions about post-secondary education when the time comes.
“A post-secondary education can be the foundation of future financial stability for individuals and their families,” said Manulife Canada President and CEO Michael Doughty. “Having control over one’s financial future sets the stage for success in many other areas of life. Programs like Jumpstart to Higher Education are a great way for Manulife to underscore this important message and help put young Canadians on the right track.”
Jumpstart to Higher Education’s mandate is to provide students, parents and teachers with information about the pathways to post-secondary education. The program includes information about funding and career options and encourages strategic thinking about which courses to take in high school to ensure students can achieve their education goals.
Additionally, there is a research component to the program through the Poverty Reduction Research Group, part of the Centre for Community, Research, Learning and Action at Laurier, to measure the long-term impact of the program with the goal of eventually incorporating it into the Ontario junior high school curriculum.
“Manulife’s generous gift will make a material difference in the futures of thousands of children from our communities," said Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy. "Jumpstart to Higher Education continues Manulife and Laurier’s long tradition of fostering lasting social change through community partnerships.”