The Promise Partnership at the University of New Brunswick as part of the Integrated Health Initiative is dedicated to ensuring that every young person in New Brunswick has equitable access to quality education. Promise actively supports youth in local communities by bringing educational resources and opportunities directly to them.
Complementing the Promise Partnership is the Discovery Program, which opens the doors of the UNB Saint John campus to the youth of the Saint John area.
Together, these initiatives embody Promise Partnership’s commitment to transforming the future of education and community engagement, ensuring that all youth have the opportunity to thrive.
We are committed to guaranteeing every young person in New Brunswick secures equitable access to quality education through digital literacy and life-changing opportunities. By providing post-secondary students with mentorship roles and experiential learning opportunities to foster strong community connections, we enable youth to transform their futures.
We envision a future where socioeconomic status no longer determines educational outcomes. We strive to close these gaps through exceptional opportunities and experiences, ensuring every student has a path to success.
To offer programs including camps to Saint John area youth in an engaging university setting, taught by UNB students, that connect the interests of youth with university department disciplines to help them make university education a life goal. To make the university accessible to underrepresented groups.
To inspire all area children and youth to the wonders, possibilities, and opportunities of a university education at UNB. To make connections between the community and the university.
Since 2010, the Promise Partnership has been a catalyst for change, empowering youth through academic support while offering UNB Saint John students valuable volunteer and experiential learning experiences. Since 2023, Promise Partnership has been conducting research to inform our programs - including piloting activities in Discovery, completing Community and School Needs Assessments, and research specific to digital literacy and poverty.
Winter 2024 marked a significant milestone, thanks to the $1.25 million gift from The Joyce Family Foundation in 2022.
This donation enabled the launch of the Digital Literacy Initiative, aimed at bridging the digital divide in economically disadvantaged communities across New Brunswick. Spearheaded by UNB and the McKenna Institute, this initiative is set to transform digital education in the province.
In early 2024, the Discovery Educational Enrichment Summer Camp Program became an integral part of the Promise Partnership. Hosted at the UNB Saint John campus, this initiative, in collaboration with IHI, enriches the summer experience for students in grades 4 to 10 through engaging activities and hands-on learning, aimed at fostering academic success and university access.
In 2023, the program achieved a 94% participation rate with 289 out of 310 spaces filled.
By 2024, the program’s popularity surged to a 99% participation rate, with 317 spaces filled and a substantial waiting list. The Discovery Program also piloted elements of the Promise Partnership’s Digital Literacy Initiative, enhancing its offerings. Integrating Discovery into the Promise Partnership continues to drive educational growth and provide valuable experiences for both students and UNB mentors.
The Promise Partnership takes learning directly to the community, offering essential mentoring and digital literacy support to youth. At the same time, the Discovery Program brings students onto the UNB campus, providing unique and engaging learning opportunities designed to ignite interest in higher education.
Together, the combined efforts of Promise and Discovery deliver a comprehensive and enriching educational experience for Saint John youth, seamlessly bridging community and campus for a full learning journey. This collaboration also offers incredible experiential, volunteer, and work opportunities for UNB students, enhancing their personal and professional growth.
From 2016 onwards, the Promise Partnership continued to innovate. A pivotal study in 2016 explored the impact of geography on identity in Saint John’s priority neighborhoods. New initiatives like the Conversation Café for newcomer parents, a Pre-School Readiness Program and a Math "Boot Camp" for high school-bound students further expanded our reach.
Recognition followed in 2018 when our team earned the Faces of Fusion Award, and the University 1005 course began integrating hands-on learning with our mission. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 saw us adapt swiftly to virtual platforms, ensuring our mentoring and tutoring programs continued without interruption.
In January 2023, the Promise Partnership continued its impactful mentoring at Hazen White School, supported by UNB's Experiential Learning department. Over 100 youth benefited from meaningful connections with UNB student volunteers, many of whom were part of a key program.
Our commitment also extended to Crescent Valley, where tutors provided essential support to middle school students twice a week.
The Promise Partnership began in 2009 with the Backyard Book Club, a small literacy initiative in Crescent Valley led by 18 UNB Saint John volunteers and 25 local youth.
By 2010, under Dr. Robert MacKinnon’s leadership, it evolved into a formal Poverty Reduction Initiative at UNB Saint John, launching transformative programs like Student Mentoring and Book’n It Tutoring.
Over the following years, the Partnership expanded its impact, from integrating iPad technology in mentoring sessions to collaborating on summer programs with organizations like the Nature Trust of New Brunswick.
Notable milestones include the first high school graduating class from Book’n It Tutoring in 2014 and the recognition of the Backyard Book Club by the Governor General.
By 2015, the Promise Partnership had established itself as a cornerstone of community empowerment, offering comprehensive programs such as the Transition to High School initiative.
Promise works in partnership with various departments at UNB, the McKenna Institute, various school boards, community organizations and the Department of Education. We are excited about our expansion plans.
ASD-S is home to 24,000 K-12 students in the communities of southern NB, from St. Stephen to Sussex.
The Crescent Valley Resource Centre (CVRC) is committed to supporting families and individuals facing challenges such as low income and social isolation through accessible, inclusive programs and services.
CVRC shares space with Promise Partnership to allow us to provide our digital literacy and mentoring programs to middle school aged youth.
The Integrated Health Initiative at UNB drives transformative health education, research, and social innovation, addressing society's grand challenges.
Partnering with the Promise Partnership, UNB leverages this initiative to enhance public well-being and establish itself as a leader in overcoming complex healthcare and social issues.
The McKenna Institute at UNB is a dynamic hub for digital transformation, driving initiatives that enhance healthcare, education, job creation and digital literacy across New Brunswick.
By partnering with local communities, including supporting the Promise Partnership, and global experts, they work with government, industry, non-profits, and academia to foster a prosperous and progressive future for the province.
The Saint John Trojan Rugby Football Club, founded in 1923, has maintained a strong family tradition throughout its history, with deep-rooted community connections.
Currently building the Trojan House Community Centre, the team continues to foster its close-knit rugby family while serving the broader community through various events and partnerships.
In 2024, Promise Partnership will begin working with the club to house our high school afterschool program.
