Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Presdient and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg and Rick Frost, CEO Winnipeg Foundation with UWinnipeg’s Kevin Chief – visiting UWinnipeg’s Eco-Kids Summer Day Camp – August 12, 2010/photo by Kelly Morton
WINNIPEG, MB – Surrounded by 150 inner-city children attending the popular Eco-Kids summer camp, Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Winnipeg accepted a grant of of $225,000 from the Winnipeg Foundation today.
The Board of Directors of The Winnipeg Foundation recently approved the grant of $225,000 over three years ($75,000 each year) for the University of Winnipeg’s Director of Community Learning.
“We’re very pleased to make this grant to support the Director of Community Learning position,” said Richard Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation. The University of Winnipeg’s innovative learning programs are having significant impact on the lives of inner-city, Aboriginal and newcomer kids. We consider this a good investment in their futures, and the future of our community as a whole.”
Axworthy announced the appointment of Jodene Baccus as the first Director of Community Learning at UWinnipeg. Baccus has a PhD in Social Psychology from McGill University.
“We are deeply committed to closing the graduation gap so that children in the inner-city will have the opportunity to follow their dreams and attend college and university,” said Axworthy. “We have a number of tangible programs now up and running such as our Eco-Kids programs, our Model School and our Global Welcome Centre for new immigrants. The Winnipeg Foundation grant allows us to coordinate our community outreach efforts in a targeted way.”
Community Learning
In 2007, The University of Winnipeg launched a comprehensive neighbourhood outreach initiative, which has grown into a Community Learning model aimed at dissolving the line between the campus and the community.
Over the course of this summer 2010, a total of 850 children will attend UWinnipeg’s summer day camp. In the past several years, approximately 2,600 children have attended U Winnipeg’s Eco-Kids summer camp from 30 inner-city schools, making it the largest day camp for children in the inner-city. The children participate in fun environmental activities with a focus on Indigenous science. The camp is free to remove any barriers to participation. Transportation, nutrition, supplies, T-shirts and equipment is paid for by the University of Winnipeg as a direct result of active private sector fundraising, and through generous assistance from the Moffat Family Fund, which is administered by the Winnipeg Foundation. The Fund has provided $475,000 to support the Innovative Learning Centre since 2007.
“We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support from the Winnipeg Foundation.Continued community investment in our A World of Opportunity Capital Campaign allows The University of Winnipeg to continue its lead in creating new opportunities for learning and opening its doors to students from every background,: said R.M. (Bob) Kozminski, Chair of the A World of Opportunity Capital Campaign and Foundation Board member. “This gift not only draws attention to the achievements of our University in areas of accessibility and creative learning strategies, but also encourages other leaders in our community to consider philanthropic support to an institution that is truly transforming its role as a downtown University.”
About The Winnipeg Foundation
Canada’s first community foundation, The Winnipeg Foundation, was established in 1921. Today it is the second-largest community foundation in Canada, with approximately 2,200 endowment funds established by people from all walks of life. Last year, the Foundation made grants to 670 organizations, totaling $20.8 million, in the areas of: community service, education and employment, health, arts and culture, recreation, heritage and environment. Over its 89-year history, the Foundation has provided more than $250 million in grants to the community.
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer,
The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
