University of Manitoba president and vice-chancellor David Barnard and His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, celebrated inner city success stories today.

The Celebrating Inner-City Community Connections event showcased highlights of the University of Manitoba Connecting to Kids report. This report demonstrated that world-class scholars, researchers and staff are joining with community members and organizations to share the resources of the University of Manitoba with inner city children, youth, and their families.

“Education is a transformational force. I am proud to see the University of Manitoba and its partners working with and in the inner city to inspire children and youth and help make a real difference in their lives,” Barnard said.

The event, held at the Bannatyne campus, included several presentations of some of the 190 inner-city activities that are offered in partnership with the University of Manitoba and were identified in the Connecting to Kids report. The report was written by the Faculties of Medicine, Social Work and Kinesiology and Recreation Management.

Among the programs highlighted at the celebration was a student demonstration of the Inner City Science Centre Project, The Bridge: Music Learning for Life program, the Rec and Read Mentor program at Children of the Earth School and a presentation from students from the Inner-City Social Work program.

“These programs have been developed in collaboration with our partners in the inner city,” noted Barnard. “Together, we can ensure children and youth can reach their full potential and become the next generation of visionaries, trailblazers and innovators.”

To read the report online, visit:

http://umanitoba.ca/media/connecting_to_kids.pdf

http://umanitoba.ca/media/connecting_to_kids_appendix.pdf
For more information please contact Peter Dalla-Vicenza, marketing communications office, at: 204-474-9234 or email: peter_dalla-vicenza@umanitoba.ca