The Community Initiative (CSI) and the Supplemental Education Program (SEP)

Youth Association for Academics, Athletics and Character Education (YAAACE) is a community organization that engages children and youth from racialized communities through its summer and weekend programming for K-Grade 8 students. Y AAACE reaches 500+ students per year, offering wrap-around education support aimed at students to reach and excel at their grade level. Their model has been recognized as an effective way of supporting educational interventions within students. This grant will assist YAAACE in their effort to increase the capacity of Black children and youth in West Toronto, and create an evidence-based model that can be replicated nationally across Canada as an alternative to educational attainment models. The Community School Initiative – CSI/Supplemental Education Program – SEP (Weekend Academy, Summer Institute, March Break Camp & Virtual School) is tasked with closing the achievement/opportunity gap by ensuring that students are at or above the provincial standard and streamlined to become 21st-century learners.

Alignment with the 5 Year Strategic Plan: YAAACE aligns with the Foundation’s Education strategy as they have a proven and highly regarded model to increase educational attainment for racialized youth. This grant will center on the educational attainment of Black youth and is focused on closing the existing gap in achievement and academic support. YAAACE also has many great partnerships within the educational system and within the province.