Helping Youth Pursue Education (H.Y.P.E.) is a phenomenal program that empowers students by taking care of their basic needs such as food and transportation, but also provides tutelage with regards to their pursuit of post-secondary education. I can validate this statement because I have been a student, graduate and mentor in H.Y.P.E and I have seen the program from these different roles.
As a student of H.Y.P.E, I was enrolled in the Business & Entrepreneurship program and it was excellent. The teacher was supportive and very knowledgeable and was also good at handling challenges of a diverse group. As previously mentioned, my basic needs, such as TTC tokens for transportation and coupons for breakfast and lunch, were met. I found these aspects of the program to be very helpful and this played a major role in my successful completion of the program.
As a graduate of the H.Y.P.E program, as well as observing others who applied to attend a post-secondary institution, I began to realize the impact the program really as on the students who attend. The H.Y.P.E staff, as well as other staff from Centennial College assisted each of the students with many things, including the application to Centennial, OSAP information and assistance with the OSAP application to name a few.
I also realized how important H.Y.P.E is to those who may be considering a post-secondary education but may not have the confidence to attend part-time or full-time studies. H.Y.P.E gives individuals the opportunity to experience the college setting for six week, which could help shape the decisions a person may make with regards to college or university.
As a mentor of the program, I have seen first-hand the positive effects the program has on the lives of students. While working with the students I learned some of the challenges they were experiencing in life and how the H.Y.P.E program addressed those challenges and improved certain aspects of their lives.
In closing, I believe the program is exceptional and does produce positive results. I, and many others from similar backgrounds, have pursued full-time studies at Centennial College, which I believe is the real definition of success completion. Also, with Tony Granato the Program Manager taking an active role in assisting the students, students will have a much greater chance at successful completion of the program and advancements in their lives, both in college as well as in other aspects of their lives and society.
Newton Asare II