BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/24/10 -- Each year approximately 20 percent of young people in BC do not complete high school. Many struggle as a result of personal and behavioural challenges, often worsened by a lack of family or community support. But with their generous $100,000 leadership gift to Focus Foundation of BC, the Milan & Maureen Ilich Foundation demonstrates that there are community members who care enough to make a difference in the lives of these struggling youth. This money will help to support and build on Focus Foundation of BC's (FFBC's) mandate of ending high school failure and creating life success among youth at risk.
"We are very thankful for the generous donation from the Milan & Maureen Ilich Foundation," says Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Robert Kissner. "As we strive to help even more youth complete high school across the Province, this kind of donation ignites not only our fundraising campaign, but also our staff, our volunteers, and most of all, our students. It reminds them that there are people in the community that really do care about them, about their education."
In order to sustain its programming and deliver more needed services to youth at risk, FFBC has initiated a fundraising campaign, to raise $1,000,000 by June 2011.
"Teenagers who have slipped through the cracks of other school and social service systems need our support and attention. FFBC enables these young people to find a new beginning. Our staff works closely with them, accepting them as they are, providing therapy, education programming and extracurricular activities. Because of this blend of support, close to 88 percent of our Grade 12 students completed high school in the past two years," added Dr. Kissner.
FFBC's students experience individually tailored educational and therapeutic programs designed to address each teen's unique combination of life challenges. These often include struggles such as past trauma, abuse, addictions, mental health issues, criminal involvement, and homelessness.
When children fail in school, the costs to society are staggering. Research shows that in Canada, the public cost is conservatively estimated at over $600,000 over the life-time for each student who does not graduate. If we consider the statistics in the Province, an estimated 50,000 young people in BC will fail to complete high school in the next decade. The resulting costs to the public for these youth will be in the billions.
About Focus Foundation of BC
Focus Foundation of BC (www.focusbc.org) was established in 1975 and since its inception has worked to end high school failure and create life success for youth at risk of not completing school. FFBC explores scientific theory and best practices to create practical applications and therapeutic solutions for children. FFBC runs two accredited independent schools called Whytecliff Schools located in Burnaby and Langley.
Contacts:
Focus Foundation of British Columbia
Jocelyn Macdougall
Manager, Fundraising & Communications
778-772-4741
jmacdougall@focusbc.org
www.focusbc.org