Northpine Foundation has invested in Urban Squash Toronto’s expanded program to serve students from Scarborough’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, where young people face barriers like income gaps, unemployment, transportation challenges, and limited access to post-secondary exposure and professional networks. The investment launches a new Scarborough campus, offering a no-cost after-school program that combines homework support, tutoring, squash and athletics, mentorship, nutritious meals, transportation, career exposure, and post-secondary guidance.
Building on UST’s 15-year Jane and Finch model—which reports 100% high school graduation and near-universal post-secondary participation—the Scarborough campus will grow from approximately 24 retained students in Year 1 to 55 by Year 3. The program includes the Squash the Barriers scholarship ($2,500 per year during high school, up to $10,000 for post-secondary expenses) and workplace readiness training through local partners like Arrow Workforce Solutions.
The initiative aims to improve academic engagement through better attendance and strengthen pathway readiness so students can graduate high school and access post-secondary education. Northpine’s investment will support program setup, staffing, daily operations, and sustainability planning, with targets to secure $100,000 in new funding in Year 2, $250,000 in Year 3, and build a $400,000 annual funding pipeline by the pilot’s end to ensure the Scarborough campus becomes a permanent UST location.
Scarborough
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