25 Years of Breaking Barriers
Welcome
What began as one community’s response to local challenges has grown into a national network committed to helping young people overcome barriers and realize their potential. This report is a celebration of where we’ve been, the people who made it possible, and the opportunities still ahead for the next generation of young people.
A Message from Our Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Twenty-five years ago, a simple but powerful idea started in Regent Park. When young people are surrounded by the right support and people who believe in them, they can overcome barriers and build the futures they choose for themselves.
Where it all began
The Pathways story starts with a community determined to beat the odds. Faced with low graduation rates and complex social and economic barriers, local leaders in Regent Park came together to reimagine how young people could be supported to succeed.
Read Our Origin Story
What we’ve achieved
Over the past 25 years, Pathways has grown from one community into a national network. As the program expanded across Canada, so too did the evidence demonstrating the difference community-led support can make.
Canada’s first Pathways Program location, offering tutoring, mentoring, financial supports, and a community where young people could belong.
Four new Ontario locations open in Lawrence Heights (Toronto), Rexdale (Toronto), Kitchener, and Ottawa, alongside the first Québec location in Verdun (Montréal).
New programs launch in Hamilton, Scarborough Village (Toronto), Spryfield (Halifax), Winnipeg, and Kingston.
New locations open in Shawinigan, Pointe-Saint-Charles, Sherbrooke, Mashteuiatsh, Lachine, Vancouver, and Saint John.
See Our Full Growth Journey
Where we’re going
Our mission remains the same, but the world around young people continues to change. While staying true to our community-led approach, we’re strengthening how we support students and expanding how we measure success, both inside and beyond the classroom.
Learn More about What's Next for Pathways
Alumni Journeys
Every Pathways graduate has their own story. From our earliest graduates to those just beginning their next chapter, meet the Pathways alumni creating positive change in their communities and beyond.
“Kids from communities like Regent Park are no different from kids anywhere else. We have the same drive. We want to build something for ourselves. We watch our parents work hard and make sacrifices for us. The only difference is that we don’t have the same resources.”
“I always tell youth, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. It may look like a rough season now, but one day, one year, one opportunity can change everything.”
“I’m staying focused on my goal, which is to have a stable job that I love. To wake up in the morning and love what I do. My message to other Pathways students is, ‘Don’t give up. Keep going!’”
“Joining Pathways was the best decision I ever made. Graduating from high school and seeing my name on the list of high honours was amazing, and I couldn’t have done this without the help from the wonderful staff.”
“Those events helped me connect with my culture and be more accepting of it than I used to be.”
Our Community of Support
Each milestone in our history has been made possible by those who were willing to invest in a new approach to supporting young people. Meet the people and partners who believe in our mission, from our earliest champions to those helping to grow our impact today.
Learn More about our Supporters and Funding Partners
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