Standard Life signs a multi-year agreement with Pathways to Education Canada

Working to assure the bright futures of Canadian youth, Standard Life's contribution supports specialty and career mentoring programs

TORONTO, Aug. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Standard Life Canada has reasserted its commitment to helping young Canadians build their futures by pledging to donate $150,000 over the next three years to Pathways to Education Canada, a national charity that helps youth from low-income areas graduate high school and successfully transition into post-secondary. Standard Life's contribution will support specialty mentoring and career mentoring programs in Toronto and Montreal, which are designed to help older students as they progress through school.

"School dropout rates have a direct impact on our communities' futures. This is why we've chosen to invest in youth mentoring," said Charles Guay, President and CEO of Standard Life Canada. "Through our support of Pathways, we want to help our youth prepare for their future — and that of our communities."

At Pathways to Education, academic and social supports are delivered by volunteer mentors, who are recruited, trained, and supervised in delivering after-school programming. The programs provide students with a positive environment to get support and give them exposure to a variety of learning opportunities.

"We are thrilled that Standard Life is demonstrating such a strong commitment to Canadian youth. Our mentoring programs are essential for our students' long-term success," said Vivian Prokop, President and CEO of Pathways to Education Canada. "Standard Life's generosity will give many students the support they need to not only complete their studies, but also to choose their best path."

Pathways to Education Canada has operated in Canadian communities since 2001, and is working towards a time when all students in Canada have the resources they need to reach their full potential.

About Pathways to Education Canada
Pathways to Education Canada is a charitable organization that helps youth in low-income communities graduate high school and successfully transition into post-secondary education or training. Pathways addresses systemic barriers to education by providing leadership, expertise and a community-based program proven to lower dropout rates. Founded in 2001, Pathways operates in 16 communities across Canada, with programs in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British Columbia. Pathways was recently recognized with a 2013 World Innovation Summit for Education award (WISE) from the Qatar Foundation for its innovative and effective work in education - the first Canadian organization to receive the honour.

About Standard Life
Standard Life provides long-term savings, investment and insurance solutions to more than 1.4 million Canadians, including group retirement and insurance plan members. It has 2,000 employees, and the main operating subsidiaries in Canada are The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada and Standard Life Mutual Funds Ltd.

Its parent company, Standard Life plc, has its headquarter in Scotland and operates in the UK, Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

SOURCE: Pathways to Education Canada

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or to schedule an interview, please contact: 

Sybil Eastman
Citizen Relations
416-306-6660
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