NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
1998-2022
01
BCAPI’s first project was the commissioning of a major Poverty Study for Saint John. The Study’s findings and recommendations were embraced by the broader community as Saint John’s first roadmap to ‘reducing poverty’. BCAPI then partnered with others to develop new approaches that could successfully break the ‘cycle of poverty, for children and families.
02
The celebrated PALS program, Partners Assisting Local Schools, initiated in one school by J.K. Irving (a BCAPI Leader) in 2000, has grown to 23 schools and 150 business and community partners and has influenced the establishment of the community school program in New Brunswick.
03
Adding to the success of PALS, BCAPI Leaders have helped to establish other ‘best practice’ programs that are closing the education achievement gap, from cradle to career, for children and youth who live in poverty. Examples include: First Steps, Teen Resource Centre, the Early Childhood Hubs, P.R.O.Kids, Brilliant Labs, Early Literacy Friends (ELF), Bee me Kidz, Sistema, UNB’s Promise Partnership, PALS En Route to Success, Pathways to Education, Achieve Literacy Greater Saint John and WorkLinks.
04
As a result of these innovations that enrich children’s learning opportunities, many more children from low-income families are ready for kindergarten, are achieving early literacy success by Grade 3, and are graduating from high school equipped for post-secondary pursuits and employment.
05
BCAPI has insisted on solid research to guide priorities and rigorous evaluation to track progress. All programs must aim to strengthen children’s health, education and social foundations and help them realize economic self-sufficiency by adulthood. Measuring outcomes and return on investment has also been introduced by BCAPI to ensure program effectiveness and impact.
06
BCAPI has helped to build and evolve Saint John’s 20 year Poverty Reduction Strategy that focuses on the improving health, education and employment outcomes for families in low-income neighbourhoods and expanding investments in this work from all sectors. Saint John’s progress has influenced the development of New Brunswick’s Poverty Reduction Plan and caused the NB Government to announce a $10 million social innovation fund for Saint John. Our city is being recognized as a poverty reduction leader among cities, from coast to coast in Canada.
Most importantly, Saint John’s poverty rate is declining each year, in part, because the education achievement gap is closing for children and youth who live in poverty, and more young people are ready and equipped to enter the workforce and break out of the cycle of poverty.
When children succeed, poverty ends. The lasting benefits for children - their future, and in turn, their children’s future - and the resulting economic impact on our city, our businesses and our province are well worth the investment.
BCAPI - Proud Partner In Saint John’s 20-Year Journey
HELPING CHILDREN TO SUCCEED - ENDING GENERATIONAL POVERTY
These milestones represent just a few of many initiatives that community business and government partners have created throughout Saint John’s 20-year journey. Thank you to all contributors! Our journey together continues, stronger and better.
