WHAT WE DO

Aboriginal Youth & Education Strategy

United Way of Calgary and Area is partnering with members of the Aboriginal community to bring circles of people together to give Aboriginal youth more opportunities in school and throughout life.

Aboriginal youth face many barriers. Aboriginal youth (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) consistently post lower graduation rates than non-aboriginal students, the unemployment rate for Aboriginal peoples is twice that of non-Aboriginal people and 30 per cent of Aboriginal youth in Calgary live in poverty (2006).

The relationship between education, employment and income level is undeniable. Youth navigating the job market are finding it has become more specialized and competitive even at the entry level. With large numbers of Aboriginal youth entering adulthood, pre-emptive action is needed to ensure they have the same opportunities as other children and youth.

To address these challenges, our Aboriginal Inclusiveness Task Group developed the 10 year Aboriginal Youth and Education Strategy. Made up of aboriginal community members and United Way staff, working groups are helping urban aboriginal youth complete at least high school and overcome numerous social issues such as poverty, social isolation and economic insecurity.

We want to strip away the burden of history, inequality and cultural fragmentation that have affected aboriginal families and their communities.

We believe education is the key. By increasing students’ self-esteem, cultural identity and confidence, urban Aboriginal youth will have greater opportunities to complete their education and get good jobs, participate in the community and provide for their families' basic needs.

Our comprehensive solutions include:

  • Coordinated community action
  • Supporting aboriginal parents

To find out more about our plan to help more Aboriginal youth graduate from high school, download our brochure.

In the winter of 2011, UpStart undertook a Request for Proposals process to select an appropriate candidate to deliver this Circle of Supports Demonstration Project.  UpStart is pleased to announce that the successful applicant is a collaborative between the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY), Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary and YMCA Calgary.

Check out our community announcement about Circle of Supports Demonstration Project for more information.

Background documents that informed the Circle of Supports Demonstration Project can be found here: