1. Aspire: Tutoring and Peer Mentoring Program

2. WHAT IS ASPIRE? HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP AND IMPROVE THEIR ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SKILLS

3. ASPIRE  One-on-one after school tutoring and peer mentoring program  Under-serviced Mississauga neighbourhoods  Kindergarten to Grade 6

4. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES  To improve students’ grades and learning  To foster positive attitudes towards education and the community  To bring children, youth, and families together

5. CREATING YOUTH LEADERS  VOLUNTEER BENEFITS: Community Service Hours Work experience A reference Giving back to the community

6. WHY ASPIRE? A Place-Based Program

7. EDUCATION AND CRIME  Poor School performance is a risk factor for involvement with crime  Educational experience has both significant direct and indirect effects on criminality

8. A PLACE-BASED PROGRAM  We bring Aspire to the community  All-inclusive program  Ensure accessibility to all children and youth

9. HOW DOES ASPIRE HELP COMMUNITIES? BENEFITS OF A COLLABORATIVE MODEL

10. WORKING TOGETHER  HELPING THROUGH : Collaborative Committees Community referrals True partnerships

11. Outcomes MeasuredIndicatorsMethods Improvement in school grades and skill development Improvement in family relationships Improvement in self- confidence Parent reporting Tutor reporting Skill development assessments More time spent with children when homework is finished Parent reporting Tutor reporting Surveys Tutor logs Student agenda’s Report cards Surveys Ongoing evaluation is key to success METHODOLOGY

12. RESULTS AND OUTCOMES THE IMPORTANCE OF EVALUATIONS

13. ASPIRE  Improvement in: School grades Academic skill development Family relationships  Enhanced: Self-confidence Social skills

14. ASPIRE “The trip to the Ontario Science Centre made the summer for my three children who never get to go on any outstanding trips all summer” – Aspire Parent “When I first started doing Aspire in grade 9, I had no idea how this would change me as a person. I helped my students do better at school and in return, they helped me become responsible, compassionate and improve my communication.” – Aspire Tutor

15. ASPIRE

16. KEY LEARNINGS FROM PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES

17. HELPING FAMILIES IN A MEANINGFUL WAY  Creating healthy communities and increasing cultural sensitivity  Advocacy on behalf of parents/Navigating the School System  ESL Student support  Newcomers and French immersion programs

18. ASPIRE NEXT STEPS  Expansion to additional site locations  Third-party evaluation  Parenting workshops