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.
