Statement of Solidarity

As an organization that represents many low-income children in racialized communities, we advocate for the right of education and recognize that while access is equal, it is not equitable. Being in over 60 communities across the country, we have seen up close and personally the gaps in educational access. As society becomes more dependent on technology as a scholarly solution, children are blocks apart but worlds away. According to Statistics Canada, lower-income children were not prepared for this COVID-19 shift. Technology such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops are available in the home; however, the reality of how they are used is not considered. Many of our children do not have extended access to the hardware in the home, and when they are provided access, they have limited time to receive any online help if they do not understand the material. When a child does have extended access to the hardware, it is a mobile device, which can create challenges when accessing online learning portals. In general, we already know that gaps in schooling lead to loss of learning. During the summer, children lose on average 10-25% learning. This loss looks even bleaker in light of the COVID-19 challenges.

In the next couple of months, we will be rolling out an online component to our Running & Reading Program. Start2Finish is committed to providing quick, efficient, and mobile-friendly approaches to educational support. For the past 20 years, we have provided this support for our students leading to greater community connection, an improved view of self, and improved educational relationships. As technology progresses, we are applying our equitable philosophies to the digital space. Our D20 program and developing Literacy Portal are designed to provide simplistic and mobile-friendly support to the children we serve.

As we reflect on the events of the last week, we are grateful. Grateful to our volunteers and donors who work tirelessly to make this world a better place with your time and resources. You recognize the lack of equality in this world and have taken action. Without you, we would not be able to make the impact we have over the last 20 years. We hope that as we continue to make an impact, you will join us.

Best,

Your Friends At Start2Finish

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the land on which we work, and which Start2Finish operates, is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples inhabited and cared for this land. In particular, we acknowledge the territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples; the land that is home to the Metis; and most recently, the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who are direct descendants of the Mississaugas of the Credit. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants.

We welcome you to acknowledge the land you are on https://www.whose.land/fr/

Member Login
Welcome, (First Name)!
Forgot? Show
Log In
Enter Member Area
My Profile Not a member? Sign up. Log Out