An effective and accessible public school system is a vital component of any prosperous society. Alberta has a world-class education system, but your success as a student is about more than just what’s in the curriculum. Social factors like mental health, cultural barriers, and poverty play a pivotal role as well. This episode, we’re trying a thought experiment. We speak with EPSB’s Kris Simpson, E4C’s Kelly Bickford, and BGCBIGS’ Tracy Simon to learn how the All In For Youth program holistically supports students. And we’ll also show you how these supports work together in context at the Peace Out Poverty Academy for Successful Youngsters (though the cool kids call it POP Academy).  

Timecodes 

Intro to POP Academy – 2:14  

Interview with Kris Simpson – 5:42  

Nutrition Support Programs – 16:50  

Interview with Kelly Bickford – 19:10  

Afterschool Programs – 30:55  

Interview with Tracy Simon – 32:37  

Conclusion – 44:55  

Links 

Connect: Spruce Avenue Instagram 

Connect: e4c Instagram 

Connect: e4c Make Tax Time Pay 

Connect: BGCBIGS Instagram 

Donate: All In For Youth 

Donate: Tools for School 

Learn: e4c School Nutrition Program 

Volunteer: BGCBIGS Mentorship Program 

The GenNEXT podcast team is Tokunbo Adegbuyi, Jordan Barrett, Renée Chan, Andrew Mason, David Odumade, Rebecca Price, and Noreen Remtulla. GenNEXT is a volunteer committee of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. If you’d like to learn more or find out how you can be a part of the plan to end poverty, visit MyUnitedWay.ca.