With massive budget cuts to partner agencies and evolving safety protocols affecting us all, Covid 19 has put a kink into many plans. The Cataraqui Kingston RC has been navigating some unpredictable waters in establishing the Rotary F.A.R. project that will be put in place in collaboration with Pathways to Education (P2E), the Kingston Community Health Centre (KCHC), and the Kingston Youth Employment Agency (KEYS) Insight Program. The budgets of those three community organizations have been cut by almost 60% in some cases, so much of the time these folk are putting in is their own.
First, a quick refresher:
The project involves financing a counsellor position with P2E in Kingston to assist high school graduates from its program as they progress through post secondary education. When they graduate from high school, it is also intended to help them find full time meaningful employment, whether immediately on graduation or after their post secondary schooling. Financing for this position as well as a student alumni co-ordinator is provided for 3 days/week for the next three years. Rotarians from several clubs, including the Passport Club, have completed mentorship provided by the KEYS staff. Rotary mentors will be matched with the graduates who have yet to decide whether they wish to pursue an immediate career or further education - to take the time to make the decision that is right for them. I know Terry and I are both excited to meet the graduates we will be paired with!
So, here’s where the project stands now:
# 1. After some delays, largely caused by administrative “glitches" arising from the Covid - 19 pandemic, TRF has advanced funding to CK RC for this project.
# 2. The F.A.R. facilitator counsellor position has been filled since the beginning of July 2020, which has permitted our counsellor/facilitator to reach out to the graduating alumni from P2E over the summer. A Pathways' graduate alumnus has also been hired to provide assistance to other alumni as an Alumni Co-ordinator.
# 3. Training for the first group of Rotarian mentors was provided by the KEYS Insight Program staff, and has been completed. Interviews between mentors and graduates will likely be done on line now, rather than in person, but we hope to establish mentor/mentee relationships with alumni by early fall of 2020. Some 15 Rotarians drawn from all 4 Kingston area clubs as well as our own Passport club have participated.
# 4. Assistance to those Pathways alumni who have successfully completed their post secondary education/training this past spring is already being provided by the Kingston Youth Employment Agency (KEYS)
# 5. As reported last week, on Tuesday, 11 August, a formal cheque presentation ceremony to celebrate the commencement of this project was held in the garden at the Pathways / KCHC premises. The Madras Coromandel RC had requested ta photo to share at their celebration of 10 years of community service.
Next steps:
You will get information when available about the more formal celebratory event now scheduled for 12 September. Plans are also in the works for the establishment of an Interact Club for Pathways high school students.
