About Us
We are LiftED (previously The Leacock Foundation, established in 1992), a charity whose vision is a world where all children and youth have an opportunity to reach for their full potential. Our mission is to confront inequity by empowering children and youth to develop the critical and creative thinking skills to be confident leaders now and in the future.
The rate of children living below the poverty line in Toronto is on the rise (up 8.5% since 2020) and is only getting worse. Within our partner communities (St. James Town, Scarborough, Jane and Driftwood, and Thorncliffe Park), these numbers are even higher, with an average poverty rate of 36%.
Among this demographic, we also see a very low engagement rate in after-school programs, despite the strong evidence that participation in these types of programs can lead to significantly improved academic and social outcomes.
Youth from low-income Toronto neighbourhoods often experience two to three fewer years of grade-equivalent learning by the time they finish high school compared to their higher-income peers.
Every year, the Toronto District School Board reviews the various schools within the district and releases a Learning Opportunity Index, a measuring system to identify the level of external challenges affecting student success and the additional level of support and resources needed within these educational settings. The schools that fall within our partner communities continue to return high rankings, appearing in the top 54 percentile. This further highlights the inequalities that exist for these marginalized communities, historically made up of lower-income households, diverse linguistic backgrounds, and recent immigrant families.
One million Canadian children struggle with below-grade reading skills, and 75% who don’t overcome early literacy challenges face lifelong difficulties.
Literacy goes well beyond the ability to read and write – it involves the ability to understand and engage with different types of information, which in turn allows us to fulfill our academic, economic, health, and civic potential.
Through the support of key partnerships and the generous contributions of our donors, LiftED has empowered youth in senior kindergarten to Grade 12 in underserved communities by providing enriched and free literacy and leadership development programs after school and during the summer. Nearly 800 youth benefit from LiftED’s programs each year.
Sources
- Here’s just how much poverty can hold kids back – August 28, 2019, by Laura Hensley
- Fighting for Our Future – Child and Family Poverty Report Card, Toronto 2024 – November 2024
- Why Are Youth from Lower-income Families Less Likely to Attend University? Evidence from Academic Abilities, Parental Influences, and Financial Constraints – by Marc Frenette
- The 2023 Learning Opportunities Index: Questions and Answers – Toronto District School Board
- Parents, experts worry about ‘snowball effect’ of literacy, development lags amid pandemic schooling – Jessica Wong (CBC News)
- An Economic Overview of Children’s Literacy in Canada (November 2020) – Deloitte
Our Impact
LiftED acts as the connective tissue between schools, parents, and youth, creating safe places to learn, grow, and unlock otherwise hidden greatness.
While we are a small organization, the impact of our programs is felt deeply in the communities we serve.
Our Impact in Numbers
self-confidence
self-esteem
OUR HISTORY
In 1992, Peter Oliver – of Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants and a proud South African living in Toronto – set out to make a difference in his community. Driven by a deep desire to give back, Peter, along with a group of friends, founded the Leacock Club (which later became The Leacock Foundation) to raise funds for youth charities across Toronto.
Peter’s vision expanded in 2001 after a life-changing encounter with Nelson Mandela at a fundraising event. During their conversation, Peter learned about the severe poverty in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the country’s poorest province. Moved by the stories of struggle, Peter knew he had to act. He discovered the Get Ahead Project (GAP) Schools – an initiative started by local parents who wanted to give their children a better education despite being excluded from the country’s better-resourced English-speaking schools. These low-cost, independent schools were created to offer children in the townships around Queenstown and Whittlesea a chance to break the cycle of poverty through education.
Inspired by Mandela’s words and a desire to help both his homeland and his adopted community in Toronto, Peter created the Triangle of Hope. This groundbreaking initiative connected students from schools in Toronto with their peers in public and GAP schools in South Africa. For more than 20 years, the Triangle of Hope has transformed the lives of thousands of students, strengthening their skills in math, literacy, and debate. But it’s not just about academics – it’s about the lasting friendships, mentorships, and powerful cross-cultural exchanges that continue to inspire today. Together, we’ve built a foundation of support that strengthens communities, opens doors, and creates pathways to brighter futures.
As we look ahead, we are proud of the legacy we’ve built in Toronto, but the need for our programs is growing, along with the demand for funding. In 2024, the Board of Directors made a bold decision to rebrand as LiftED Literacy and Leadership – reflecting our core mission and the transformative work we do: Lifting youth in underserved communities through the power of Education. Simple yet powerful, LiftED captures our commitment to helping youth overcome challenges and unlock their full potential.
Are You a Member of the Media?
Email Jessica Murphy or Stefania Matarazzo to book an interview and learn more about how LiftED is helping to make an impact in the lives of youth in Toronto.