Lawrence Heights Community Health Centre: Reducing High School Dropout Rates

The purpose of this initiative was to determine whether or not residents of Lawrence Heights would be receptive to bringing the Pathways to Education program to their community. Local youth were trained to conduct interviews and focus groups using a youth-led model to ensure they understood and were able to inform the community engagement process. They used their skills and learnings to explain the Pathways program to members of the community.

The end result of the community engagement process was that members of the Lawrence Heights community were interested in participating in the Pathways program. As such, the initiative received additional funding from YCF in Round 3 to implement the program in the neighbourhood.

171 students from Lawrence Heights schools registered in the first co-hort. Youth involved in the community engagement phase enjoyed learning more about their community and developed skills in research, program design and outreach.