In its 40-year history, the George Brown College Foundation has supported hundreds of ancillary programs with a laser focus on addressing specific student needs that set learners up for success.
One of the most successful examples is George Brown College's (GBC) Augmented Education, which includes two employment-focused program streams run by the Centre for Preparatory and Liberal Studies for individuals with complex mental health and addiction histories. GBC offers the Construction Craftworker Foundations program and the Culinary Skills (Preparatory Training) program to help students prepare for, find and maintain employment in the construction or food service industries. Thanks to the work of the Foundation, these programs are offered free of charge.
The Foundation created an annual event to support Augmented Education programming called the Food Court Social, which features many of Toronto's top chefs and has become a must-attend event. The 2023 event raised $600,000, with 100 per cent of the proceeds directly supporting the programs. The 2024 Food Court Social happens on Thursday, October 10, at Waterfront Campus. Learn more about the event.
"By creating strategic partnerships with the private sector, we've deepened relationships to enable funding and to broaden opportunities and co-op placements and job opportunities," said George Brown College Foundation Executive Director Allan Penning. "It's not just about money we speak with donors about student success in all forms."
This year, GBC announced a free program to help set newcomers to Canada up for success in the job market thanks to support from the Foundation and a generous donation from ScotiaRise, Scotiabank's $500-million initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups. The Career Renewal for Newcomers (ReNEW) program helps students develop career knowledge and skills, gain Canadian financial literacy training, build social and professional networks and address critical labour shortages.
"This program will help newcomer students articulate their transferable skills, set their career goals, explore the Canadian labour market, gain job search skills, and be ready for their Canadian careers," said Kamalamal Alkalaldeh, who studied in the Career Development Practitioner program and is a Pathways Student Communications Assistant with the School of ESL & Immigrant Education.
