The Northpine Foundation is providing Sharing Our Cultures with funding to help young newcomers overcome learning gaps that can contribute to dropping out.

The foundation is providing a total of $675,000 over three years to support expanded programming for young resettled refugees whose education has been interrupted for a variety of reasons including conflict.

CEO of Sharing Our Cultures Lloydetta Quaicoe told VOCM Open Line with guest host Darren Bent the money goes toward the BOOST program used to help young people between the ages of 15 and 21 to complete their high school diploma.

Quaicoe says oftentimes the students need extra time and support than what the usual K-12 system can offer.

She says the program concentrates on Math, English, Science and Social Studies. “We have 35 teachers who will teach them Monday through Thursday and then on Fridays they will have experiential learning where they will go on educational tours.”

The program runs through to August 21st.