Who is BCAPI?
WE ARE A POVERTY-REDUCTION CATALYST.
Established in 1997, BCAPI is driven by the belief that ‘breaking the cycle of poverty’ is vital for our society to thrive and that tackling this stubborn complex problem requires collective leadership by business, community and government. Knowing that children and youth are most at risk and that their wellbeing and education success are fundamental to life success, leaders in Saint John NB are working together to help every child succeed - from cradle to career.
One vision, a bold action plan, and a set of clearly defined outcomes are creating the changes that engage the whole community in preparing every child. The collective work closes the education and employment gap for vulnerable children, supports the families, and strengthens the capacity of our city and our province to thrive well into the future. The return on investment is outstanding and lasting.
25 years: a lot to celebrate
BCAPI has been working to help Saint John children succeed, from cradle to career - for a quarter of a century. Learn more about our journey, and everything our community has achieved over that timeframe in our Impact Report.
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Saint John’s
Poverty Reduction Journey
According to taxfiler data, 13.4% of those living in the Saint John Census Metropolitan Area (16,600 people) live in poverty. This represents a 20% decline in poverty rate (or 4,100 fewer people) since 2000.
Today, 19% of children and teens (4,780) in Saint John CMA live in poverty compared with 24% in 2000.
Generational poverty in Saint John continues to be concentrated in 5 inner-city neighbourhoods.
High school graduation rates in Saint John’s 5 priority neighbourhoods have been improving over the past decade but continue to be well below the School District average.
In Saint John (CMA), 1 in 7 youth aged 15-24 are not in employment, education or training – significantly more than the Canadian average of 1 in 11.
Over the past seven years, the percent of children entering Kindergarten at the appropriate level of development has been accelerating in the 5 priority neighbourhoods, but is still well below the school district average.
Saint John’s collective efforts have been gradually closing the education gap for vulnerable children but there is more to do.
In 2021, with the support of J.D. Irving, Limited, we engaged Deloitte to conduct a study of Saint John’s Poverty Reduction Journey. The results show progress is being made, but we still have lots of work to do.
When children succeed, we
break the cycle of generational poverty.
Launched in 2018, the When Children Succeed project helps K-2 students overcome poverty-related learning barriers by providing intensive in-class support in seven Saint John elementary schools that serve low income neighbourhoods. The project is designed to strengthen the children’s social and academic foundations and close their education by the time they complete Grade 2.
“Saint John’s history of breaking the poverty cycle is impressive. Ending child poverty is an economic imperative. While the solutions are multi-faceted, all evidence points to our need to invest in children’s education success, particularly in their early years. A child’s healthy development and acquiring the basics of language and literacy are the bedrock for educational attainment and employment. The When Children Succeed project is strengthening these foundations for vulnerable children. Some students and schools need more help than others. This project is about distributing resources differently to achieve better outcomes. It’s the right thing to do and the case for return on investment makes sense.”
Scott McCain
BCAPI involvement over the years.
Saint John’s local business community has rolled up its sleeves to help every child succeed. Today, more than 100 organizations are contributing their time, talents and resources. Over the past 20 years, BCAPI has helped to incubate, support, advise, volunteer for, and cheer on important innovations that are closing the gap for vulnerable children and youth, including the following :
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FIRST STEPS
First Steps Housing Project Inc. (First Steps) was developed in Saint John because of the high rate of teen pregnancy and the lack of support for homeless young women and their babies. These mothers and their children are in jeopardy of long term poverty, illness, and abuse. First Steps provides a safe and supportive environment where young mothers can continue their education, further their personal development, and gain the skills required to thrive as individuals and as parents.
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P.R.O. KIDS
P.R.O. Kids is a non-profit program operating out of the Leisure Services Department of the City of Saint John that enables children and teens, whose families don’t have the financial means to participate in an arts, cultural, recreational, or sport activity of their choice.
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EARLY CHILDHOOD HUBS
Under the leadership of the Saint John Early Childhood Development Coalition, BCAPI has been working with local service providers to bring quality ‘early childhood education; programs to parents and children (0 to 5 years of age) who live in low-income neighbourhoods. In 2008, the first Early Childhood HUB was established at St. John the Baptist-King Edward School to serve families living in Saint John South and a 2nd HUB opened in 2021 at Hazen White-St. Francis School to serve the families in SJ North.
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THE RESOURCE CENTRE FOR YOUTH (TRC)
TRC is a safe, energetic place for teens to access free recreation; self-development programs; health and wellness services; and assistance with school studies and employment. Drawing from best practices and ‘youth engagement’ principles, the TRC helps teens from all walks of life become leaders and active participants in their community. TRC also provides services for homeless youth, and outreach services and programs for schools and neighbourhoods.
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ACHIEVE LITERACY GREATER SAINT JOHN
A child’s ability to read is fundamental to their school and life success. Achieve Literacy GSJ, a team of business, education and community leaders, is championing a community-wide response to help every child learn to read before grade 3. There are many ways you can help make literacy a BIG PART of every child’s day – in their home, school and throughout the community.
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![Group of children standing next to each other]()
WHEN CHILDREN SUCCEED
An exciting new project! Our most ambitious to date!
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PALS
PALS is an initiative developed in Saint John, NB to help schools address the needs of their students. Poverty reduction remains the central focus of the PALS initiative in Saint John. However, schools both in Saint John and in other jurisdictions have developed PALS partnerships for a variety of reasons, a testament to its adoptability and adaptability as a model. Working with the school staff and administration the partners volunteer their time, talents and resources to help the teachers enrich their students’ educational experiences and address other basic needs that the students require.
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PROMISE PARTNERSHIP
The Promise Partnership initiative at the UNB Saint John connects the university with the community to provide educational support and opportunities to youth in Saint John’s priority neighbourhoods.
Saint John Stronger Together
Saint John Stronger Together (2022) is the story of a city that took charge to solve a big problem: ending generational poverty. It’s about a community of leaders, from all sectors, who rolled up their sleeves and worked together to tackle a deeply rooted social challenge.
Written by Sherri Torjman, social policy consultant and former vice-president of the Caledon Institute.
Published by the Tamarack Institute (www.tamarackcommunity.ca)
