Vancouver, Canada — The Lohn Foundation, renowned for its charitable contributions, has pledged an additional $25,000 to the Vancouver Sun’s Adopt-A-School (AAS) program, spurred by concerning tales of hardships faced by students in alternative education systems across British Columbia.
This decision comes as a continued commitment from the Foundation, specifically prompted by reports highlighting the dire circumstances of students who attend alternate programs in Surrey, Vancouver, and Mission. These students often grapple with challenges such as poverty, mental health troubles, substance abuse, criminal justice involvement, and vulnerability to exploitation.
Jack Kowarsky, a Vancouver-based lawyer and trustee of the Lohn Foundation, expressed deep concern for the youth entangled in such adversities. “It’s extremely troubling that these young individuals find themselves in such difficult circumstances, far removed from the traditional educational system and bearing the weight of numerous problems,” Kowarsky stated. Having already donated $125,000 earlier in the year, Kowarsky felt compelled to further support the cause after learning about the students’ struggles.
At the heart of the funding drive are stories of resilience and critical need. Youth care workers and teachers, like Kirsten Castonguay from Mission’s Fraserview Learning Centre, have been vocal about their students’ daily hurdles. Fraserview Learning Centre, catering to an enrolment of 120 students, some of whom are homeless, is in dire need of fundamentals such as food, clothing, and hygiene products. Castonguay emphasized that while problems like hunger are profound, they are within the realm of issues that can be resolved with adequate resources.
The grim reality continues in the Vancouver Alternate Secondary School, which oversees 13 satellite schools scattered throughout the city. These educational hubs not only offer academic learning but frequently engage in outreach efforts to bring disconnected youth back into the schooling system. Bryce Recsky, the district principal of these alternate schools, highlighted that tangible support in the form of food, clothes, and assistance plays a significant role in encouraging students to pursue education.
Further east in Surrey, the Safe Schools Wraparound Program, a collaboration involving school district staff, city employees, and police officers, seeks $25,000 to cater to the basic needs of some of the city’s most vulnerable youths.
Despite often heart-wrenching individual stories shared by students, there is a silver lining in the proactive steps taken by school staff across these programs. Anecdotes from former students, like one from the Wraparound program, reflect a transformative impact. “Honestly, without what…the team did for me, I wouldn’t be here. I’d be in jail, a drug addict, or dead,” a former student shared.
Moved by such powerful testimonials and dire needs, Kowarsky concluded, “These young people need all the help we can give them,” reinforcing his resolve to bolster his support for AAS.
The Lohn Foundation’s increased funding is a beacon of hope, aiming to ease some of the burdens shouldered by these young individuals and bolster their chances for success. As the community and its benefactors rally to support, the tough road faced by many of these students is met with renewed vigor to foster change and offer a brighter future.
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