“The program was great. The motivation was high and grew. For our one student, he developed a sense of himself as a potential university student. He gained confidence and registered in two other programs as a result. This is a great program and should be continued.” – Educator, Wi Wabigooni

“The students said they found the sessions interesting, challenging and always something to look forward to on a Saturday. They found the leaders to be helpful, friendly and enthusiastic…This was a wonderful opportunity for these children. They all said if they had the chance they would go again.” – Educator, Dufferin School

“For inner-city children it has provided an exceptionally good message; i.e. post-secondary education is an option for them and more importantly that they belong there.” Educator, Sister MacNamara School

“Students at Gordon Bell were very appreciative of being selected for the program. There was a marked interest in their school work and attendance showed improvement. Career Trek has been a very valuable program for our students at Gordon Bell. Not only did it give them a sense of what post-secondary education is like, it gave them a sense of purpose of the importance of setting goals and planning for the future. The involvement of parents was a very critical piece. I believe that it gave parents hope in that regardless of socio-economic status and cultural differences their children could achieve if given the opportunity or if shown how to make use of the opportunity. I hope that the program continues!” Vice-Principal, Gordon Bell High School

“We selected a student who has had many difficulties in his school years, largely due to his behaviour, and compounded by inconsistent parenting. We were not optimistic that he would complete the program, given his sporadic school attendance and inability to control his behaviour. He not only attended every single Saturday but had both parents attend the family days. It is the single most successful commitment of his entire elementary school years.” – Educator, Principal Sparling School

“Career Trek is a valuable opportunity to level the playing field and balance the population of students at our universities and colleges.” – Principal, Hugh John Macdonald School

“It is though a whole new world has opened up for (the students)…As well, they feel that the scope of future opportunities is limitless, but recognize school achievement is a key ingredient. I would like to thank you for providing this experience for my students.” – Principal, Polson School

“Career Trek introduces (at-risk students) to a world they might otherwise never see. It gives them a chance to peek above their limited horizons and see a world of possibilities to strive for…It is our sincere hope that we will be able to continue to benefit from Career Trek, and that our students’ eyes will continue to be opened to the world that awaits them.” – Principal, Frontenac School

“Clearly, the excellent attendance record of our students would indicate the enthusiasm that they have for Career Trek sessions…The program has given a glimmer of light for future learning opportunities to children from backgrounds that might hinder them from acquiring a university degree. We’d like to recommend the continuation of Career Trek. It is bringing hope.” –Principal, Bertrun E. Glavin School

“The participants’ parents are most grateful for the opportunities that Career Trek provides for their child. They recognize that there is nowhere else where children experience what they do through Career Trek.” – Principal, O.V. Jewitt Elementary School

“The teachers, parents and participating students have not only enjoyed your program, but have also found it invaluable for information, awareness, self-confidence, and motivation. These students, who can sometimes become distracted, have been much more focused and their parents more involved and supportive. We thank you for having a very positive effect on all involved, directly or indirectly.” –Counselor, Norquay School

“Our students are given a tremendous boost when they are accepted into the program. Firstly, it means that someone from the school believes in their academic ability and their ability to represent the school in a positive way. One boy who attended the program last year said, ‘It’s like finally someone believes I can make it in the world.’ It often has changed the way the family views this child. They often do not give their children credit and now can see that there are some avenues available for their family that they may have not considered.

The children from our school who have participated in the program have all become leaders in our school. Often they have not lead in a very positive way previous to their Career Trek experience. However, with their participation in Career Trek, they join up in the computer club, take leadership roles as our patrols, become involved in promoting school events and generally see themselves as being important in the fabric of the school. This is one of the most lasting benefits of the Career Trek experience. It helps the students to realize that they can and should take responsibility in contributing to a positive school environment.” – Principal, Ecole James Nisbet Community School

“Career Trek has been a wonderful experience for the children from James Nisbet. For many of these kids it has been a first exposure to the possibility of higher education and it has been a very positive introduction to the opportunities available to them. For some of the students it has made a huge difference in their self-esteem and I have watched the pride they have shown because they were chosen to be involved in Career Trek. I commend you for the good work you do and sincerely hope that the program will continue to give many more kids a great educational experience.” – Educator, Ecole James Nisbet Community School

“I would like to thank you on behalf of all the staff, students and parents of Victor Mager School. You and your staff have done a wonderful job in making our students and families aware of the educational options for them.

Some of our students are already talking about where they are going and hopefully they will go. I have also seen the difference in these students – more mature, more responsible and more determined.
Thank you again for this wonderful program. Keep up your great work and if you need future support, please call. It would be my pleasure to help in any way." –principal, Victor Mager School

“The students benefited greatly from this program. They enjoyed the exposure to rock climbing, computers and judo. They also enjoyed meeting kids from other schools.” – Educator

“I believe the students who attended regularly enjoyed it. As you know we hope to instill some long-range planning and this program certainly provides a perspective on possible careers.” – educator, Hastings School

“May Career Trek continue to be a viable organization and secure the funding necessary to operate.” – Principal, Marion School

“Each week after attending each session the students excitedly share with their teachers and classmates all the interesting things they experienced. This program is a valuable opportunity for students to learn just some of the post-secondary options available to them. After hearing about the program younger students are looking forward to being chosen to be part of the program next year. I certainly hope this program continues as I know how great it is!” – Educator, King Edward Community School

“On behalf of Polson School and our students who attended Career Trek this year – thank you for the wonderful opportunity. This has been my first experience with Career Trek – and I was very impressed. Our students learned a lot and enjoyed the experiences greatly.” – Principal, Polson School

“The participating teachers at Salisbury Morse Place School wholly endorse the Career Trek program. It offers exposure to a variety of disciplines and experiences that many students would not normally be able to enjoy. We recommend that the Career Trek program be continued as it taps the potentials of many underprivileged children.” – Educator, Salisbury Morse Place School

“Career Trek is a wonderful program and it had a dramatic impact on the lives of the students in my school who have participated in it... How else can an inner-city student be exposed at length to three post-secondary institutions, 12 schools or faculties, 60-plus career possibilities and best of all, 50+ mentors from the three institutions. You and your staff offer a ‘classy’ program…I meet with my 16 students every Monday to see how the Saturday Career Trek day went. You and your staff need a big hug and a pat on the back.” – School Counselor, General Wolfe School

“Our 10 participants have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and thus far eagerly anticipate each coming Saturday. The parents of the students have also expressed their total endorsement of the Career Trek Program. Career Trek provides many benefits to its participants. Firstly, it enables students who are at-risk of completing high school and probably not entering post-secondary education first-hand experiences in what university life can be like. They gain familiarity and a degree of comfort with the university/college milieu. 

Participants also gain hands-on experience with activities which form parts of a wide variety of faculties. These experiences may be useful in channeling students’ interests and aspirations. 

Most importantly it gives participants a tangible goal to aspire to by removing the remoteness and awe with which many at-risk students view post-secondary education. Our participants are finding Career Trek a very enjoyable educational opportunity. I hope similar types of students will have this chance in years to come.” – Principal, Archwood School

“It has been a very popular program for students to participate in, and most years we have had a waiting list of students wishing to be accepted. Any program for which students willingly get up early and give up their Saturday on a weekly bass must be providing something very worthwhile.

Students who have attended Career Trek say that besides being a lot of fun, the program has provided them with a great deal of information about possible career options which they would have known about otherwise. They feel much more comfortable about choosing one of the universities or Red River College after high school now that they know what kinds of programs are available there. Many students also appreciated the opportunities to get to know students from other schools. 

Teachers’ comments about the value of the program include improved attitudes towards school and schoolwork, improved confidence and leadership skills and a greater awareness of the value of education. 

Career Trek is a worthwhile program whose goal of exposing students to the opportunities of post-secondary education and various career options is being met. It is a program that should be allowed to continue to provide students with its unique opportunity to explore their future.” – Principal and Counselor, Sargent Park School

“The outcomes that we have observed for students and their families have been unbelievable! Students are at a transition point in their school careers when they attend Career Trek. Many of the students who have participated in the program have made remarkable ‘turn arounds’ and become focused and connected to school and learning. They and their families have become proud and hopeful.” – Assistant Superintendent, Student Services, Seine River School Division

“We believe your program to be an exemplary one that other cities/regions could use as a model for career education for youth living in poverty or with challenging life circumstances.” – Acting Superintendent, Evergreen School Division

“The students who participate in that program are greatly enriched by the experience which they would not have the opportunity to be exposed to without such a program,” – Guidance Counselor, St. John’s High School

“On behalf of Frontenac School, and all of the students who had the opportunity to participate in Career Trek, I would like to thank you for offering such an excellent program to Winnipeg students.
Career Trek has had a highly positive influence on the students who attended, and its effects have spilled back into the school. I hope we will have a chance to participate again in the future. Thank you once again for this wonderful program!” –Principal, Frontenac School