On Monday September the 28th, Yvan Baker-MPP Etobicoke Centre and Peter Milczyn-MPP Etobicoke Lakeshore made a very exciting announcement here at CultureLink. Through the Local Poverty Reduction Fund, Ontario is investing $752,800, over three years to help CultureLink implement and evaluate the Student Education Attainment Program (SEAP). SEAP will be delivered to 90 youth in grades 8-10 bridging middle and high school ages. This project, in partnership with Islington Junior Middle School and Runnymede Collegiate Institute, is an optimistic first step in reducing the staggering high school dropout rate of students of Somali decent. CultureLink, with the support of our partner schools, is excited to be spearheading this innovative new initiative. We would like to extend our thanks to Minister Deb Matthews, London North Centre and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy; MPP Yvan Baker; MPP Peter Milczyn; and staff at both Runnymede Collegiate Institute and Islington Junior Middle School. See the Minister’s Announcement.
Amina Yassin-Omar, Assistant Manager, Seniors Services and Newcomer Youth Centre