• 94 new grade 9 students registered in summer program, with 80 earning their first secondary school credit, a success rate of 85%.
• An additional 12 students joined the program late and were ineligible for the credit, with all 12 expressing in a survey that they felt more prepared for secondary school as a result of SBL.
• Of 106 students, 32% were transfer students, and 50% were referred to us due to social/personal/academic concerns from their schools, parents and/or community partners.
• 25 Mentors were employed full-time (20 in the classroom environment and 5 in a documentary film training program).
• Partnership with SkyWorks Films supporting 5 Mentors in the completion of two community focused documentaries.
• Of the 25 Mentors: 15 were former Mentees and 10 Mentors were former volunteers.
• 30 Volunteers (Mentors-in-Training) contributed 1260 hours to the summer program.
• 14 Volunteers (Mentors-in-Training) were former Mentees, with 100% expressing goal of becoming an SBL Mentor.
• Since 2010 we have worked with 11 TDSB teachers and 9 of that 11 had previously taught in the Jane-Finch community.
• Of 11 teachers, 5 are from the Jane-Finch community.
• 6 of 7 SBL teachers were returning staff, with one new hire from Westview Centennial Secondary School.
• In a research study done by Social Work Graduate students, 100% of SBL teachers surveyed indicated that teaching in the SBL Summer Program was transformational in their teaching practice, brought them closer to youth in the community, and encouraged innovation in their classroom.
• 2 former SBL/Westview students worked as dance instructors and paid facilitators in the program, delivering programming to youth participants.
• Completed our first annual general meeting, adding four youth members to our board of directors.
, a local youth led organization that runs a variety of programs to support young people, and with Tyrone Manners. He received support through the program, became a mentor, and is now a youth leader.
(runs 7:50)