As Pathways to Education in Kingston marks its 15th anniversary, Program Manager Roger Romero reflects on the profound transformation both within the organization and the community it serves.
“We started within Kingston Community Health Centres in 2010. Our goal was to support youth in two neighborhoods where the high school graduation rate was just 40%. Today, that rate has climbed to 74%, which is a huge accomplishment,” Roger shares proudly. This progress reflects years of building trust and relationships, especially in a community facing systemic challenges.
Roger recalls the early days: “We thought young people would just come knocking on our door, but it took a long time to establish trust and a physical space. Once we had that, it was clear we were here to stay.” His personal connection runs deep growing up in the North End himself, Roger says, “I see a little bit of myself in the kids we work with. If we had this kind of support when I was young, it would have changed many lives.”
A cornerstone of Pathways’ evolution has been its pioneering work in trauma-informed care. Inspired by the documentary Paper Tigers and supported by the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area, the team embraced new approaches to youth engagement. “We realized punitive methods didn’t work. Instead, we focus on unconditional support and building relationships,” Roger explains. Their social enterprise, Teach Resilience, now trains other organizations in trauma-informed practices, reinvesting proceeds to create opportunities like overnight camping trips for students, many experiencing such adventures for the first time.
The Community Foundation’s partnership has been vital. Roger notes, “They’ve been more than funders; they’re collaborators who believe in our ideas and make it easier for us to focus on students by reducing administrative burdens.” Their support helped Pathways raise a $1 million endowment, ensuring sustainable support for alumni navigating post-secondary challenges.
Looking ahead, Roger is optimistic: “We want to start earlier with students, even in grades 6 to 8, and expand our reach. The community is changing, more multicultural, more vibrant, and we’re excited to keep growing alongside it.”
Pathways to Education stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, proving that with care, community, and innovation, young people can overcome barriers and thrive.