Triangle of Hope - Overview
Triangle of Hope Program Philosophy
The Triangle of Hope program model services the educational priorities of society’s neediest children, while creating opportunities for students from all walks of life to contribute positively. Our philosophy is to provide a hand up, not a hand out. Our programs run in township communities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. In Toronto, children benefit in the inner city communities of Scarborough, St. Jamestown and Jane-Finch. Leacock is the funding catalyst for schools to create meaningful opportunities to learn, share and volunteer, with the ultimate goal to foster collaborative local and global communities.
Here’s how the Triangle program works
- Three distinct school partners engage in an educational partnership: a high-needs Toronto public school, a high-needs school in the developing world and a Toronto independent school are linked together
- Leacock provides funds and independent schools give support for critical projects designed to help disadvantaged and at-risk students to excel academically through supportive programming
- School partners seek opportunities to unite their communities on a local and global level Leacock’s financial investment in the Triangle of Hope is focused on achieving outstanding academic results by:
- Providing literacy and life-skills enrichment for children attending Toronto’s high-needs public schools
- Financing bricks and mortar projects, academic interventions for South African township students and professional development opportunities for teachers in South Africa
Our Differentiator
Connecting administrators, teachers and learners within a Triangle partnership of independent, inner city and rural South African schools is unique. Stakeholders are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the program because:
- It meets local needs, involving educators and community leaders in decision making about the best programs for their communities
- Effective volunteerism is supplemented by professional expertise
- It levels the playing field for disadvantaged and at-risk students by giving them the educational experiences and opportunities they need to succeed
- It promotes intercultural understanding – crucial for independent school students, who benefit from opportunities to interact with diverse communities
- Integrity and creating a culture of success are cornerstones of the program philosophy
Funding Strategy
The Leacock Foundation only funds school communities that do not have access to the extras, and are considered to be disadvantaged. We invite those schools to make submissions to the Foundation which detail their proposed programs, including their communities’ contribution, a budget, and summary of their collaboration and sponsorships with other Triangle schools.
In Toronto
- Projects are fully vetted by an arms-length committee of experienced educators who ask the right questions and approve the right projects.
- Program leaders file evaluations of their programs by summarizing measurable results, aligned with the original objectives.
- A strategic planning process ensures that Leacock funding is targeted toward programs that directly impact student success.
In South Africa
- Building projects are stewarded by our Board of Directors with the assistance of GAP’s School Trustees. Local builders submit quotes for projects but Leacock retains control. Regular reports are provided and projects are closely scrutinized.
- Our Canadian education committee controls all non-capital investments and programs. Communication between program leaders is regular and responsive.
To ensure continuity, Triangle of Hope programs are customized to meet local needs, and involve teachers and other community members familiar to students. The key to its success is the collaboration among school partners, working together to achieve results. While programs must demonstrate a concerted effort to “level the playing field,” they also serve to promote intercultural understanding, reduce racism, and celebrate diversity by involving school communities from all walks of life.
Learn more about our school partners
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