Chris Penrose, executive director of Success Beyond Limits
Since Nov. 4, the 2014 York Cares Campaign in support of United Way Toronto has raised more than $175,000 and has seen approximately nine per cent of the York staff and faculty community participate through personal pledges and team-building activities.
As the campaign approaches its end on Dec. 5, campaign organizers wanted to highlight some of the organizations and individuals that the funds raised during the York Cares Campaign will impact over the coming years.
The range of causes that the United Way Toronto supports through its fundraising efforts is vast, its support also hits close to home in the extended York community. One example of this is York grad and 2012 Bryden Alumni Award recipient Chris Penrose (BA ’04), who currently serves as executive director for Success Beyond Limits.
Success Beyond Limits is a youth-focused, community-based non-profit organization serving the Jane and Finch area that receives funding from United Way. All of its teachers, staff and mentors are from the Jane and Finch community and many are also graduates of York.
Through such resources as a six-week summer program hosted at York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, after-school programs and various other youth opportunities, the organization has successfully helped many young people achieve higher credit accumulations, better attendance and higher grades than other students in their cohort.
The organization was one of the first programs of its kind in the city to offer high school credits and employment to young people in need and, with the support of funds from United Way Toronto, Success Beyond Limits is able to continue this good work for young people in the community.
With only a short time left, even the smallest contribution to the York Cares Campaign can have a huge impact for important organizations such as Success Beyond Limits and those community members who rely on their services. Not to mention, there is also still time for staff and faculty donors to take advantage of this year’s participation prizes.
All donors who support the 2014 York Cares Campaign by making a donation via the online tool or a pledge card will be entered into participation draws for great prizes, including the following:
- Samsung eight-inch Tab S;
- Scosche RhythmPulse Heart Rate Monitor (donated by Data Integrity);
- Three sets of Toronto Raptors basketball tickets (donated by MBNA); and
- $100 Home Depot gift card (donated by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex).
Note that the online personal donation tool will remain available until Dec. 31, 2014. For more information, visit the 2014 York Cares United Way Campaign website.