Liberals Urge Support for DreamCatcher Mentoring

07-Jun-2010

Whitehorse:  The Liberal Caucus is urging the Yukon Government to provide funding to keep a valuable career mentoring program for high school students in the territory.  DreamCatcher Mentoring, which links northern students in grades nine through twelve to Canadian professionals in their dream careers, has been overwhelmed by demand and may have to withdraw services without government support.  Despite the program’s success, the Yukon Government has refused DreamCatcher’s plea to fund a full-time Yukon administrator.

“This government has no problem spending money on education studies, but it has denied funding for this proven program, which is otherwise run entirely by volunteers,” says Eric Fairclough, Education Critic.  “Since the program’s inception, over six hundred Yukon students have benefited from DreamCatcher Mentoring.  In fact, this year’s Porter Creek Secondary School valedictorian participated in DreamCatcher.”

“The Liberal Caucus has met with DreamCatcher Executive Director Josh Silvertown to discuss his organization’s work in the Yukon,” adds Official Opposition Leader Arthur Mitchell. “DreamCatcher has successfully operated for over five years without territorial funding, but it cannot continue without support.  We hope that the Yukon Government will reconsider its decision to deny funding.”

DreamCatcher Mentoring links high school students in northern Canada to volunteer mentors in a range of professions.  Students learn about their desired careers directly from mentors already engaged in the field.  Mentors are also encouraged to use their professional access to connect their mentee with helpful people, opportunities, and information; to advocate on behalf of their mentee for resources and recognition; and to provide advice on school, family, or social concerns.  DreamCatcher mentors have included navy officers, photographers, entrepreneurs, doctors, and engineers. 

The program was established in response to low high school graduations rates in the northern territories.  According to a recent Auditor General report on the Yukon Department of Education, only 63% of Yukon students graduate, compared to 75% across Canada.  The Auditor General also found that the Yukon Department of Education had no target graduation rate, did not compare Yukon students’ performance against those in other jurisdictions, and produced misleading graduation rate figures. 

“This government has already been criticized by the Auditor General for low graduation rates,” Eric Fairclough says. “DreamCatcher Mentoring could leverage a modest investment to help keep kids in school and excited about their futures.”

For additional information contact:

Shay Smart 667-5081