ACCESS 6/3/12 ACCESS 6/3/12

Arts for Change Showcase invites Peel to Celebrate Community

MISSISSAUGA – ACCESS is excited to announce this year’s Arts for Change Showcase taking place on Saturday, July 14, 2012. The Showcase will be an afternoon full of inspirational performers, stimulating artistry, networking and community-building. With the support of the Youth in Action Grant from the United Way of Peel Region and the Region of Peel, administered by Rapport Youth and Family Services, the Showcase will take place at the Gateway Centre for New Canadians (3450 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga) from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.

Through this Showcase, ACCESS strives to inspire youth to work towards change in their communities through expression using a variety of artistic mediums such as music, dance, visual arts, spoken-word.

The theme of Arts for Change is Celebrate Community. Change begins in our own backyards; this year we have decided to celebrate the youth, the organizations and the community that make change possible. Arts for Change aims to reach out to our very own neighborhoods to fill the afternoon with opportunities to network with local youth leaders; expressing themselves through artistry.

Tickets for the show are now available at ArtsForChange.ca. ACCESS' Community Outreach & Communications Coordinator, Aminah Haghighi, stated:

“There are so many great organizations in our community that target the same demographic; youth leaders looking to make a positive change. Events like these substitute collaboration for competition. Arts for Change is a great venue for organizations to work together to support youth.”

The Youth in Action Grant is an opportunity focused on youth-led projects that offer creative youth-initiated ideas to address community issues in Peel Region, awarded by United Way’s Young Leaders Council. ACCESS is excited to use this opportunity to enhance its Arts for Change Showcase.

Through this celebration of community, ACCESS is proud to announce that all proceeds from Arts for Change will be invested back into our first ever "Youth Making a Difference Award" and ACCESS' local youth programming.

Tickets for groups and individuals are available for purchase at ArtsForChange.ca.

About ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, Inc. ACCESS is a youth-run, non-profit organization that facilitates education and empathetic leadership development through initiatives that engage, inspire, and motivate youth to drive positive change, locally and globally. ACCESS envisions the empowerment of generations of leaders through education in order to inspire meaningful development in their own communities.

Sponsorship Inquiries: Mark Llanes, Director of Finance | mark@accesscharity.ca Media Inquiries: Aminah Haghighi, Outreach & Communications | mina@accesscharity.ca

ACCESS Innovation 8/12/10 ACCESS Innovation 8/12/10

Student-run fundraising success in high school

BRAMPTON - ACCESS never under-estimates the power of today's youth. Encouraging local students to take action on education-related issues and promoting social justice is a key part of ACCESS' mission, in addition to fundraising for projects in the developing world. With passion for the cause, some students go above and beyond, responding strongly to their call to action.

One High School's Outstanding Social Justice Fundraising Story

The World Issues group of Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario has helped raise thousands of dollars for ACCESS Charity through their newly organized Virtual Classroom Drive, ThinkFAST, and other projects centered on social justice throughout the 2010 school year.

View full-size image | View photo gallery

The Virtual Classroom Drive was a new school-wide initiative that encouraged classes to raise money and purchase school supplies for underprivileged children in Honduras and Tanzania. Each homeroom class was given a simulated order form, where students and teachers could collectively decide which school supplies they wanted to purchase with their funds. Choices ranged from chalk and pencils, which cost only a few cents, to uniforms and computers, which had prices of several dozen dollars. In order to maximize participation in the fundraiser, the Virtual Classroom Drive was designed as a competition between homeroom classes. Ms. Toubassi’s grade 10 class, who had raised $310, came out in first place and were generously rewarded with a pizza party.

To ensure the success of the fundraiser, an extensive advertising campaign was posted throughout the school. The School Board's Catholic Education Week (May 3 to May 7) was devoted entirely to the Virtual Classroom Drive. Morning announcements, posters, banners, and individual presentations to classrooms all contributed to the overwhelming success of the fundraiser. By the end of the week, the school had raised $2050 for ACCESS.

Aian Binlayo and Tanzima Khan, members of the World Issues group, were key individuals in the planning and organization of the fundraiser.

“There are few solutions that provide more answers to global issues than education,” said Binlayo and Khan. “The Virtual Classroom Drive helped us recognize our ability to reach out to others as a school community and make a true, positive impact on other countries from here at home.”

Education; it’s my right, it’s your right, it’s everyone’s right!

Photo slideshow above (click for direct full-screen link)

The Virtual Classroom Drive was only one of several initiatives held throughout the school year that aimed to raise money for various ACCESS Charity projects.

During the liturgical season of Lent, the World Issues group held their annual ThinkFAST from March 26 to 27, 2010. This was a 28-hour fast in which roughly 100 students eagerly participated. Although students were given the opportunity to eat a few crackers and drink a single glass of juice, many participants opted to eat and drink and nothing at all. The participating students were able to enjoy many different activities, including various games, winning prizes, a sleep-over at school, hearing from guest speaker Daniel Francavilla, bowling, and finally a grand pizza party to break their fast.

All participants had to collect and donate a minimum of $20 each in order to be eligible for this event. The total amount of this money was divided: half was given to support the project Development and Peace, and the other half was given to the IMUMA project of ACCESS Charity. This fundraising event was an astonishing success and Notre Dame hopes that it will be even more successful in the years to come.

Furthermore, as part of their unit culminating task, Ms. Leggo’s grade 12 politics class hosted a fundraiser for ACCESS Charity’s IMUMA project. This fundraiser was held during the 2010 Parent Teacher Interview Night. With great success, the fundraiser raised over $600. While showcasing the great efforts of ACCESS Charity’s initiatives, the students hosted a Bake Sale and Gift Basket Fundraiser for both students and their parents.

Additionally in April, grade 9 students painted Easter Cards for the orphans of IMUMA in Tanzania. Each orphan received a personalized painted card from a student in Mrs. Pighin’s grade 9 visual arts class. As part of Notre Dame’s motto, “Justice, Love and Peace,” students wanted to extend a sign of love to the children of IMUMA and let them know that young people in Canada care.

Lastly, the grade 12 hospitality and tourism class, led by Mrs. Schulde, held a Bake Sale called “Window to Sugarland”. This bake sale was put together in order to raise awareness and money for ACCESS initiatives. These students baked many delicious treats, such as cookies, cinnamon buns, banana cake and brownies, all of which they sold to the students to support ACCESS.

Throughout the year Notre Dame students held various fundraisers and charitable projects, many of which supported ACCESS. Each was done with special care and was successful in its own way. The students are glad that they were able to help various people in both their neighborhood and around the world, and pray that they can continue doing such great work. They would also like to encourage all other schools to initiate their own projects and continue to do their part in helping the world.

“Take it from us; the effort truly pays off!”

Submitted in June 2010 by Students from Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario

View the Photos from Notre Dame's Fundraising

Educators: Resources and ACCESS at Your School

Students: Get Involved with ACCESS

ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, Inc. is a youth-run organization aiming to provide needy children in the developing world with school uniforms and necessary school supplies, enabling them with the opportunity to obtain an education for a successful life. ACCESS also aims to educate North American youth about related world issues, and to inspire them to make a difference globally. For more information and resources, please visit www.accesscharity.ca.

Media Inquiries:
Daniel Francavilla, President | daniel@accesscharity.ca
Kody Robinson, PR Coordinator | kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 7/14/10 ACCESS Innovation 7/14/10

Arts create positive change at Talent Show fundraiser

MISSISSAUGA, ON – On June 25, ACCESS Charity, a youth-run organization based in Peel Region, demonstrated their success beyond the scope of collecting donations for educational resources to children in developing countries, as they presented their first ever Arts for Change Talent Show Fundraiser.

The powerful community arts event was held at the Noel Ryan Auditorium in Mississauga’s Central Library, a convenient location ideal for bringing out Mississauga residents of all ages from across the Region.

Not only was the fundraiser a huge success with over 200 tickets sold and $800 raised for ACCESS, but it was also a FUN-raiser. Over 50 youth performers presented talented acts including two-time world hip-hop dance champions The Phillipine All Stars, the newly formed Resonance Choir made up of alumni from a local high school, I Rock with the One Dance Crew and many more. Proceeds from the event will be used to support educational projects in developing countries such as the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

ACCESS would like to recognize the efforts of members Ann Le and Kristen Francavilla, lead organizers responsible for the Talent Show. Extended thanks to the Sponsors that were advertised at the event including:

Anastasia Tolias – Broker, Royal LePage Corporate
Louroz Mercader – Institute for Youth Citizenship
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Canada
City of Brampton – Office of the Mayor
Therese Guidolin – White Weddings

The Brampton Mayor’s Youth Team and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council of Mississauga are also gratefully thanked for their efforts towards this event’s success. ACCESS would like to also thank Matt Manerus and Jon Luciani for the AV support Aesthetic Technical Productions generously provided. Photography and video crew members Mallory D., Kevin S. and Vanessa C. were greatly appreciated.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYylFgJHCXE]

To stay in touch with ACCESS Charity’s upcoming events, Like their Facebook page at facebook.com/accesscharity and follow @accesscharity on Twitter. Official ACCESS News Updates can be delivered to your inbox by signing up at accesscharity.ca/subscribe.

As always, ACCESS encourages you to refrain from just laying back and be the change in your community!

ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, Inc. is a youth-run organization aiming to provide needy children in the developing world with school uniforms and necessary school supplies, enabling them with the opportunity to obtain an education for a successful life. ACCESS also aims to educate North American youth about related world issues, and to inspire them to make a difference globally. For more information and resources, please visit www.accesscharity.ca.

Media Inquiries:
Daniel Francavilla, President | daniel@accesscharity.ca
Kody Robinson, PR Coordinator | kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 7/12/10 ACCESS Innovation 7/12/10

Place your Bid for Hope and support Haiti

WATERLOO, ON – Six months after Haiti's devastating earthquake, Brampton-based youth-run organization ACCESS Charity will visit Waterloo to offer the community a chance at spreading hope to the less privileged around the world, one bid at a time.

This Friday, July 16, ACCESS will be hosting Bid for Hope: Silent Auction for Haiti. This fundraiser is designed to raise money to send four ACCESS student-members to Haiti this month (July 26 – August 6, 2010). The event is being held at The Button Factory, Waterloo Community Arts Centre, on 25 Regina Street South from 7:00 – 10:00 PM.

Guests will be entertained with live jazz and adult contemporary music from Michael Gabrieland enlightened by the story of Mike Thomas, a medic from Globalmedic who was deployed in Haiti following the devastating earthquake. Finger foods and beverages will be served throughout the evening, as well as small desserts.

Two of Friday evening’s major showcase items include a Home Design Consultation from David Boues and a Custom Couture Gown consultation by Matthew Joseph – both valued at $400 – with starting bids of $100. There will be a wide selection of other items up for auction that appeal to the tastes of both adults and students.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at TicketScene here today, or at the door.

As University students, members of ACCESS Charity place a high value on education and have a thorough understanding of how relevant it is to the prosperity of one’s future, and the Bid for Hope: Silent Auction for Haiti is one way they will raise funds for an exciting project overseas.

Many ACCESS Members have personally travelled abroad to countries such as the Dominican Republic, Macedonia, and Kosovo on their own means for a tangible experience of true poverty. With this in mind, ACCESS is upping the ante and spreading awareness to other communities, Waterloo, Ontario being a key destination.

For more information on Bid for Hope and the ACCESS Haiti Trip, please see www.accesscharity.ca/haiti.

There’s no “going once, going twice... gone” on hope, it’s everlasting and the bidding never ends!

Purchase Tickets: TicketScene
Contribute: Donate Online
Trip Info: ACCESS Haiti

Media Inquiries:
Daniel Francavilla, President | daniel@accesscharity.ca
Kody Robinson, PR Coordinator | kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 6/15/10 ACCESS Innovation 6/15/10

Following a journey to Haiti

It has already been half a year since the January 2010 Earthquake that devastated Haiti.

Four university students from Ontario will be travelling to Jacmel, Haiti on behalf of ACCESS for a 10-day trip to bring hope and support. From July 26 through August 4, Andrea Gigliotti, Aminah Haghighi, Daniel Francavilla, and Jon Pryce along with educators from the GTA will be engaging with locals and facilitating various programs for Haitian youth and community members, as well as delivering much-needed supplies.

The travelling students fundraised independently to cover the costs of their modest trip, the majority of which consists of airfare, and are passionate about persing this opportunity. Each has shared their personal story on the ACCESS in Haiti website here.

Updates and photos directly from Haiti will be posted at accesscharity.ca/haiti. Currently, details about the trip and how you can contribute are available on the website.

Haiti's earthquake leveled much of the capital Port-au-Prince, killing nearly 300,000 people and leaving 1.3 million living in makeshift tent camps exposed to tropical storms in Haiti. The reality is that today, these tent camps still exist and are filled with people. This first-ever trip to Haiti for ACCESS members will be no short of an eye-opening and inspiring experience.

Wilfred Laurier University student and ACCESS executive member Jon Pryce stated that he "hopes that this trip to Haiti will provide me with an relentless desire to continue relief work from home". Jon recognizes that, "without experience it is hard to see the complete picture of what you’re fighting for." Andrea Gigliotti, who graduated from teacher's college this spring, acknowledged that, "it is my job as an educator to create a more giving and brighter future," and that she is excited to visit the school in Haiti and to work with the students there.

"This isn’t like my trip to the Dominican, being exposed to poverty. Haiti isn’t exposing us to its reality, its giving us a reality check," explains Aminah Haghighi. Daniel Francavilla, ACCESS founder, answers the question Why Haiti? by sharing, "it’s full of opportunity. It’s also an opportunity to make a difference, to show the world we care, to bring hope."

ACCESS will continue to accept donations during and after the trip, to fund yearly costs of elementary and secondary school students and other education needs in Haiti. Please visit donate.accesscharity.ca to learn how to make a financial contribution.

haiti.accesscharity.ca

ACCESS Innovation 5/31/10 ACCESS Innovation 5/31/10

Arts for Change: ACCESS to engage local youth, fundraise with Talent Show

BRAMPTON, ON – Local youth-run organization ACCESS Charity presents the first ever Arts for Change Talent Show on Friday June 25, 2010. The fundraiser has support from the Brampton Mayor’s Youth Team and the Mayors Youth Advisory Committee of Mississauga. ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education has been responsible for an array of initiatives promoting social change including their annual School Supply Drive, Youth Making a Difference Workshop, and school presentations. On June 25, 2010 ACCESS will continue to climb the ladder of youth activism with their Arts for Change Talent Show.

The talent showcase will be held at the Noel Ryan Auditorium in the Mississauga Central Library beginning at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available for $5.00 at the door, and in advance through ACCESS and select local high schools through the Brampton MYT and the MYAC of Mississauga.The event is a fundraiser designed to support projects in Haiti and other developing countries including Tanzania, Africa. Proceeds will be used to purchase school supplies and help provide ways that youth can draw closer to the educational advantages offered in North America.

Arts for Change is a unique way to raise awareness about ACCESS along with an opportunity for young, talented youth to get their “big break” in front of peers and a youth-oriented, non-profit organization. ACCESS encourages anyone in the Peel Region and beyond to come out and enjoy what the members of their community have to offer, while supporting the cause of global education.

For any inquiries, you are invited to visit the Arts for Change webpage at www.accesscharity.ca/artsforchange. If you are interested in making a donation or are able to be a sponsor for our event, please feel free to contact artsforchange@accesscharity.ca.

ACCESS appreciates your support and reminds you to be a pioneer of change in your area!

Media Inquiries: Daniel Francavilla, President | daniel@accesscharity.ca Kody Robinson, PR Coordinator | kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 2/16/10 ACCESS Innovation 2/16/10

World Day of Social Justice is February 20, 2010

TORONTO - February 16, 2010 World Social Justice Day recognizes that social development and social justice are indispensable to achieving peace. It calls on everyone to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. Education is a key part of Social Justice, freedom and development, and ACCESS believes that every child deserves the chance to have an education.

Last year, ACCESS recognized the date with "Phanuel Friday" to raise money for a Haitian student's university education. Fundraising continues today both publicly and as part of a Called to Action initiative with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

Observance of World Day of Social Justice should support efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all. Education projects worldwide are a vital part of this work.

Why Social Justice? Justice addresses the underlying structures or causes of the world's problems (illiteracy, hunger, disease, war, etc) because justice, unlike simple works of charity, promotes social change in institutions or political structures.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed February 20 as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting countries devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development.

ACCESS Events on Social Justice

In line with the theme of Social Justice, ACCESS is hosting a Youth Making a Difference Workshop in Brampton, Ontario on March 24, 2010 for high school students. For details on this conference please visit youthmakingadifference.ca. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is also hosting a Hope in Our World conference with ACCESS about Social Justice in May 7, 2010. If you are in the DPCDSB, you can learn more at accesscharity.ca/calledtoaction. If you are interested in implementing Social Justice initiatives within your School Board, please contact info@accesscharity.ca.

ACCESS invites you to raise funds for education and increase awareness of social development issues and the importance of this international day on Friday, February 19 at your school or place of business.

Media Inquiries:
Daniel Francavilla, President
daniel@accesscharity.ca
Kody Robinson, Public Relations Coordinator
kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 12/3/09 ACCESS Innovation 12/3/09

Grant for Workshop: Peel Region and United Way invest in the region's youngest leaders

Peel Region and United Way invest in the region's youngest leaders

ACCESS is one of eleven projects led and organized by youth in Peel that are receiving a Youth in Action grant. The grants are jointly funded by United Way and the Region of Peel.

ACCESS will be applying the funds to the Youth Making a Difference Workshop, being held in March 2010.

“Youth leadership and activism is beginning to explode within Peel Region,” said Vanessa Mui, Co-Chair of the Youth in Action Review Panel and Executive Member of United Way’s Young Leaders Council. “They are passionate and ready to act on issues that deeply concern them and impact their community. We are excited to be working with them and harnessing their contagious energy.”

This spring's Youth Making a Difference Workshop will provide excellent opportunities for youth leadership and engagement. Along with volunteer opportunities and interactive seminars, last year's workshop included special guests Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell and MP Dr. Ruby Dhalla.

The event has been designed to compliment curriculum and topics discussed in local schools. Students gain new insight into this classroom knowledge and can be further empowered to make a difference. Youth can be inspired to make the change they wish to see in the world and involve others through raising awareness.

"Through working with young people today, we help build strong leaders of tomorrow," says United Way Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate, Nicole Dupuis.

Details on the workshop will be available in the coming weeks.

For further details on the Youth in Action grant, visit the United Way of Peel Region's website here.

ACCESS Innovation 10/20/09 ACCESS Innovation 10/20/09

Raising funds on campus: Universities getting involved

As a youth-run organization, ACCESS encourages schools and youth organizations to get involved in raising awareness and raising funds for education projects in the developing world.

While offering Educational Presentations and Educator Resources to elementary and secondary schools, ACCESS also works to raise funds and increase involvement in the post-secondary level. Events from two Ontario university campuses are highlighted below, recognizing their efforts and encouraging future involvement from schools.

Events at Laurier University raise funds and awareness

In the fall semester of 08-09, Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario hosted two events in support of ACCESS.

Drawing much excitement from students was the Throw Whip Cream at Your Profs event. On another day, there was a Starbucks Coffee Sale on campus, with all proceeds benefiting ACCESS. The funds raised have been donated directly towards ACCESS projects in the developing world.

These fundraisers were organized by XLerate Business Club, a student-driven organization focused on developing key skills that are critical for success both in university and the business world. It is Laurier's largest student organization, providing resources such as seminars and leadership opportunities.

University students raise funds in Toronto residence

The Residence Council at 89 Chestnut Residence, which houses University of Toronto and OCAD students among others, fundraised for ACCESS in the in the 08-09 academic year.

The funds were raised through a Floor Competition, with residents on 24 floors competing by donating coins into jars assigned to each floor. As per the competition's rules, paper bills deducted points when placed in another floor's jar - as an incentive to donate more. Details were posted online here.

The Residence Council also dedicated an additional fundraising event to ACCESS. For Valentine's Day, Candy Grams were sold and delivered to students within the residence in February 2009.

Looking for ways to fundraise for ACCESS this year?
Visit this year's school campaign at accesscharity.ca/phanuel

ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, Inc. is a youth-run organization aiming to provide needy children in the developing world with school uniforms and necessary school supplies, enabling them with the opportunity to obtain an education for a successful life. ACCESS also aims to educate North American youth about related world issues, and to inspire them to make a difference globally. For more information and resources, please visit www.accesscharity.ca.

Media Inquiries: Kody Robinson, Public Relations Coordinator
kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 9/6/09 ACCESS Innovation 9/6/09

Thousands of school supplies collected and sent to Africa

This year's end-of-summer ACCESS School Supply Drive was a tremendous success. Two weekends in August were dedicated to receiving donations of school supplies and collecting funds from local donors.

Over $1,700 was raised for the youth-run ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, Inc throughout this year's drive.

Donations are benefiting school children in developing countries, this year including Tanzania, Africa. ACCESS has delivered the supplies to Canadian Food for Children in Toronto to be shipped and distributed.

As students in many privileged nations begin school this week, children in Tanzania will now be able to learn with the supplies they need to succeed.

Fair Trade products such as chocolate and sugar were also sold at the event to raise funds and awareness of sustainable employment and development projects.

ACCESS would like to extend thanks to all donors as well as St. Marguerite d'Youville and St. Anthony's Churches in Brampton, Ontario for their hospitality.

View the photo slideshow below or see the online gallery here.

Details on the School Supply Drive event can be found at accesscharity.ca/schoolsupplydrive.

Media Inquiries: Kody Robinson, Public Relations Coordinator
kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 6/13/09 ACCESS Innovation 6/13/09

Shop with purpose while supporting ACCESS online

If you could donate a percentage of every online purchase you make to ACCESS to support education projects, would you do it?

We hope so! We-Care.com lets you do this, with more than 900 online merchants. Just click through the access.we-care.com marketplace and shop on your favourite online stores as you normally would, and a percentage will be automatically donated to ACCESS.

Not sure when or where you would use this? Participating merchants include retail, travel, financial services, and quite a bit more. Book your flight and hotel. Rent a car. Shop for books. Apply for a mortgage. Buy furniture and household items. Send gifts. Search for apartments. Pick out a cell phone plan. Order web hosting and office supplies. Subscribe to magazines, newspapers, DVD services, and even satellite TV.

Planning on buying a book from Chapters or Indigo? Next time you are, you can support ACCESS online!

You can also install the We-Care.com plug-in for Internet Explorer or Firefox. With a plug-in, your donations will count (even if you forget to visit We-Care.com).

ACCESS benefits from all of your purchases through access.we-care.com - the program costs nothing for ACCESS, and there's no extra charge for you. Not only can you give, you also have access to special offers and discounts.

Enjoy being an occasional shopper or even a "shopaholic" while using access.we-care.com to extend your dollar from just your favourite book or pair of shoes to the comfort of knowing that you helped a worthy cause, ACCESS!

Contact:
Kody Robinson, Public Relations Coordinator
kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 2/15/09 ACCESS Innovation 2/15/09

World Day of Social Justice and "Phanuel Friday"

Youth-run organization offers fundraising opportunity benefiting global education

TORONTO - February 16, 2009 - Celebrating World Day of Social Justice this Friday has been made easier for everyone including educators, media outlets, and community organizations. Phanuel Friday is an initiative being launched by ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, a youth-run non-profit organization benefitting the developing world and empowering students locally.

Phanuel is a young man living in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, where only about half of the population is literate and primary school net enrollment is also only estimated at 50%. Being accepted to university is a dream for Phanuel and his entire community! ACCESS is calling individuals, through communities such as schools, to make a small step in recognizing that all youth, regardless of their status, should be given a chance to achieve a the highest level of education!

The event called "Phanuel Friday" focuses on a simple $2 donation from each and every willing and able student in one such school, community, or group, to fund Phanuel's full university education costs, providing an individual with access to a valuable education which he would otherwise not be able to afford.

Annually on February 20, World Day of Justice was created by the United Nations to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication. It also focuses on the goal of achieving full employment and support for social integration.

The campaign continues beyond Friday's World Day of Social Justice. Schools, parishes, and community organizations are asked to host a "Phanuel Friday" during the month of February and March this year.

Details on the campaign can be found at accesscharity.ca/phanuelfriday.htm

To subscribe to Email Updates from ACCESS, please click here.

For more information or media inquiries, visit www.accesscharity.ca for resources including downloadable documents, project details, and photos and video.

Contact:
Daniel Francavilla, President
daniel@accesscharity.ca
Kody Robinson, Public Relations Coordinator
kody@accesscharity.ca

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ACCESS Innovation 2/2/09 ACCESS Innovation 2/2/09

Supporting a dream through school expansion project in Jamaica

As a collaborative development project, ACCESS is involved in the expansion of a primary school in Jamaica.

Ken Cooper, a Brampton, Ontario resident, took time to visit the school he attended 36 years ago while on a recent trip to Jamaica.

Polly Ground Basic School is the equivalent of a pre-school in North America for 3 to 5 year olds. It is located just over two hours east of Montego Bay and two hours west of Kingston, in the middle of the Island. It is in what is considered a rural area.

Ken shares his experience in Jamaica, which was the inspiration to initiate the Jamaica Project, for which details follow.

As I walked through the doorway, I noticed how crowded it was. The one room school had been divided into 3 classes, by 2 blackboards.

Although many of the children were already at school early, the majority had not yet arrived. There appeared to be little room for others. I also noticed the temperature difference between outside and inside the school. It was hot, even for Jamaica, and it was not yet 8:30 am.

I introduced myself to the first adult that I saw. She happened to be the teacher and also the principal of the school. I told her that I was a former student and just wanted to see the school. She allowed me to look around and speak to the children for a few minutes.

After making conversation with the principal about how little things have changed she asked if I was in a position to assist her with increasing the size of the school. She went on to say they are in need of the basics things like books, pencils, paper and even toys for the kids to play with. But the most important thing she mentioned was increasing the size of the school. I asked, “Isn’t there a school board that is supposed to look after these things?” She said we would be better trying to do what we can for ourselves. I told her I was not in a position to assist her by myself, but that perhaps I could ask some others to assist.

She requested, “Maybe you could get us a fan”. I said, “Sure, I can do that”. She asked, “can you get three since we have 3 classes?” By this time all the children had arrived for school. The small one room school was now housing over 50 students. The schoolroom was full, it became hotter and the noise level was incredible. I was shocked to see that there were 6 kids sharing the same desk simple because there was no space to but another one. I went to the market later that day and purchased 3 wall mounted fans and installed them the next day. When we turned them on and the papers started to fly around the children started to laugh. The all said ‘thank you’. The feeling I was left with was like they had given me a million dollars. It was awesome!

The school is currently 1300 square feet in total. The main goal of this project is to build an additional 800 square feet so that the children will have a better learning environment. Additional funds will be used to purchase books and supplies.

In January 2009, a fundraiser was held in Mississauga, Ontario raising over $4,000 through various activities including a silent auction. The total goal for this project is $16,000.00 CAN, or approximately one million dollars Jamaican.

Donations to the project can be made online through ACCESS by clicking here. Tax receipts are available for donations over $20, and must be made via cash or cheque. To inquire about donation details please email info@accesscharity.ca.

For updates on this initiative, please visit jamaica.accesscharity.ca.

ACCESS: Allowing Children a Chance at Education, Inc. is a youth-run organization aiming to provide needy children in the developing world with school uniforms and necessary school supplies, enabling them with the opportunity to obtain an education for decent employment and a successful life. ACCESS also aims to educate North American youth about related world issues, and to inspire them to make a difference globally.

For more information or media inquiries, visit www.accesscharity.ca where resources including project details, and photos and video are available.