The Backyard Book Club (a student-led summer literacy program in Crescent Valley) begins with 18 UNB Saint John student volunteers and up to 25 local youth each night.

A formal Poverty Reduction Initiative begins at UNB Saint John under the leadership of then Vice-President Saint John, Dr. Robert MacKinnon.

What would become known as the Promise Partnership, begins with the launch of the Student Mentoring Program and the Book’n It Tutoring program for youth in Crescent Valley.

The Backyard Book Club is delivered on the Saint John campus of UNB.

Emera announces financial support for first group of Book’n It Tutoring students planning to attend UNB Saint John in 2014.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla Parker Bowles) visit Hazen White-St. Francis (HWSF) Promise Partnership program.

Delegation from UNB Saint John and Hazen White-St. Francis (HWSF) school travel to New York to visit the Harlem Children’s Zone to learn more about community engagement programming.

UNB Promise Partnership’s first literacy coach is hired to enhance literacy skill development at HWSF.

Campus Discovery Nights Summer Program is launched with a focus on keeping middle school students engaged throughout the summer with exposure to hands-on science-based learning opportunities.

A community-based evaluator was hired to conduct research to inform new programming as well as conduct regular program evaluation to ensure programs were meeting desired goals.

The Saint John Community Foundation provides funding for books to be used for literacy programming.

iPad technology is established in the HWSF mentoring room, allowing for unique programs such as Raz-Kids to be utilized during mentoring sessions.

Partnership is established with the Nature Trust of New Brunswick to launch a summer program focusing on green initiatives.

The UNB Associated Alumni provide funding to renovate a “mentor room” at Hazen White-St. Francis (HWSF) school for Promise Partnership activities.

Book’n It Tutoring expands to another priority neighbourhood – the Old North End. Promise Partnership also begins to offer tutoring services to Lorne grade 9 students.

Promise Partnership is awarded the Big Heart Award at the 2013 Outstanding Business Awards (OBA).

Research begins on a SSHRC funded project in collaboration with Vibrant Communities Saint John and Carleton University. Results are presented to a variety of audiences.

First ever Book’n It Tutoring high school graduating class.

Bonding with Books Program summer program is piloted. This program assisted parents in learning the core traits of literacy to better help their children.

The Backyard Book Club is recognized by the Governor General for its efforts to support literacy. The Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick visits the summer program.

Transition to High School program is offered to Lorne Grade 9 students with coordinators and volunteers working at Lorne Middle School.

UNB Promise Partnership conducts research on the five priority neighbourhoods in Saint John. The project is entitled: Without Geography You’re No One. The Role of Geography in Shaping Identities and perceptions of Residents in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Emera NB contributes additional funds to support students in the Promise Partnership Tutoring Program who are planning to attend UNB Saint John.

Potash Corporation provides funding to support Promise Partnership program activities.

The Conversation Café is created to help newcomer parents learn English.

The Pre-School Readiness Program is piloted over the summer months.

Math “Boot Camp” is offered over the summer to grade 8 students preparing to start high school.

Members of the Promise Partnership travel to Seattle University to facilitate a session at the annual Place-Based Institute.

A community engagement manual is created in partnership with Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL).

The Promise Partnership programs support Syrian students attending local schools. The program features ESL-focused support for those students who required additional English as a second language practice.

The Promise Partnership mentoring staff win the Faces of Fusion Award.

The University 1005 course is launched by Dr. Joanna Everitt. Enrolled students learn about the social, economic and political challenges facing those living in poverty and the role education can play in alleviating these challenges. The hands-on component of this course is facilitated by the Promise Partnership.

The Tousoutti Foundation provides support for Promise Partnership programming.

A Math Intervention Program is offered to a small group of high school students interesting in advancing their math skills.

The Promise Partnership pilots a Lunch and Learn program in collaboration with UNB Saint John Nursing students. This is delivered at Hazen White-St. Francis school (HWSF) and focuses on Canada’s Food Guide.

A guest children’s author is invited to HWSF in partnership with the UNB Lorenzo Society.

University 1005 adds an after-school club component to its service-learning curriculum.

Celebrating ten years of the Promise Partnership mentoring and tutoring programs.

Tree planting ceremony held outside of Hazen White-St. Francis (HWSF) school in appreciation of our donors.

In response to the pandemic, the program's in-person activities were suspended, prompting a shift to online mentoring and tutoring. The Promise Partnership developed virtual programs that closely mirrored their in-person offerings.

Microsoft Teams and Desire To Learn (D2L) were leveraged to facilitate these programs while maintaining safety and social distancing. These adaptations allowed for continuity in case of future COVID-19 disruptions.

The Promise Partnership team was able to provide flexible, pandemic-responsive programming, thanks to the invaluable support of UNB students, donors and community collaboration.

The Promise Partnership, operating in Saint John, New Brunswick's Priority Neighbourhoods of Crescent Valley and the North End, navigated significant challenges.

During the 2019-2020 school year, the primary focus was on adapting mentoring and tutoring programs to the unique demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The subsequent 2020-21 school year marked a successful launch with new protocols, enabling digital and socially distanced mentoring and tutoring.

In October 2022, The University of New Brunswick (UNB) received a substantial gift of $1.25 million from The Joyce Family Foundation to support The Promise Partnership peer-to-peer mentoring and tutoring program. This generous donation will fund The Promise Partnership Digital Literacy Initiative, which will expand the existing program to include a new digital literacy curriculum.

The initiative aims to benefit economically disadvantaged communities in New Brunswick by providing access to digital education. UNB plans to scale up this curriculum and make it available to partner communities across the province within six years. The gift was made possible through the efforts of UNB alumnus and former New Brunswick Premier, The Honourable Frank McKenna and The McKenna Institute.

Frank McKenna, founder and ambassador of The McKenna Institute, said “Digital literacy is essential to the health and prosperity of our society. We know changes to the provincial curriculum that foster digital literacy will only be effective if they reach all students and this initiative will help achieve that equality of opportunity. I salute UNB and The Joyce Family Foundation for making this happen.”

The initiative's goal is to bridge educational gaps, empower youth, and foster digital literacy, ultimately levelling the playing field for children facing disadvantages in today's digital-dependent society.

In January 2023, Promise Partnership continued its impactful mentoring program at Hazen White School, providing an excellent volunteer opportunity for dedicated UNB students. This initiative received invaluable support from the Experiential Learning department, led by Sarah King. Over 100 youth engaged in this program, fostering positive connections and educational growth with UNB students.

Notably, a significant number of our volunteers were enrolled in the UNIV1005 program, a key component of the Experiential Learning program, with Stephany Peterson. Simultaneously, our commitment extended to the Crescent Valley program, where dedicated tutors provided essential support to students in Grades 6-8 at the Resource Centre, enhancing learning experiences twice a week. These initiatives embody our ongoing dedication to fostering educational excellence and community engagement.

In the fall of 2023, we are actively recruiting UNB students and are looking forward to supporting area youth from K-12.

It’s hard for me to put into words exactly what the Promise Partnership means to me and how much credit I owe this program for my success.

I started my university career in September 2010. I was presented with an incredible opportunity to work with the (at the time unnamed) Promise Partnership as a summer student. Unbeknownst to me, this program was delivering academic programming to the community I grew up in and the school I attended.

I grew up in poverty and was the first in my family to graduate high school and the first to attend post-secondary education. I was starting a very pivotal moment in my life, with little to no support or guidance. When I look back and think about it, the Promise Partnership was created for someone like me. As a former Hazen White-St. Francis student, I did not experience the direct one-on-one mentoring or the high school tutoring programs, but I was able to be a mentor and a tutor. This was as equally life-transforming for me as it was for the students I was working with.

I was able to navigate my university career as Hazen White-St. Francis students were navigating the new mentoring program and as they were transitioning to high school and receiving tutoring. I was, along with my community, delivering the program and equally receiving as much benefit.

I was the only student from my grade 8 class to attend and graduate university. These low numbers have stopped because of the Promise Partnership. This program is providing students with an opportunity to shape their future and break the cycle of poverty. I truly believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle and the Promise Partnership helps to turn the key.

Not just beating the odds, but changing them.

My time spent with the Promise Partnership as a coordinator was the most rewarding experience I've had in education. Every student I had the opportunity to work with in Crescent Valley enriched my life. My heart swells with pride when I hear from former students eager to tell me about a new journey they are on, whether it be new employment, post-secondary school or even purchasing their first car or home.

I look back with fond memories of my time with each student and have always been in 'awe' of their tenacity and dedication to reach their personal goals. I am so proud of all Promise Partnership students, keep working hard!

Cheers to ten years!

There can be little doubt that the UNB Saint John Promise Partnership is making a big difference in the lives of the kids growing up in Crescent Valley and the Old North End. Education matters, and these children will have more opportunities to succeed because of the mentoring and tutoring support the UNB Saint John volunteers provide. However, the experience of working as mentors and tutors has also had an important impact on the lives of the university students participating in this program. It opens their eyes to the challenges facing our community and develops in them a greater commitment to volunteering and community engagement.

From the Backyard Book Club to the Promise Partnership

Promise Partnership brings holiday cheer to Hazen White-St. Francis

UNB Saint John’s Promise Partnership celebrates 10-year anniversary

UNB Saint John’s Promise Partnership celebrates 10 years

UNB'S Promise Partnership continues to support local schoolchildren

UNB nursing graduate credits Promise Partnership for getting her into and through university