Launch of Youth Thrive, a scholarship program to empower youth in Ghana
SOS Children’s Villages Canada believes every young person deserves a chance to thrive and lead a meaningful and happy life. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the launch of Youth Thrive, a four-year project funded through The Steele Family Foundation WISE Scholarship Program™.
The initiative will empower 150 vulnerable youth from Asiakwa, Kumasi, Tamale, Tema, and Dodowa communities in Ghana by addressing their pressing challenges and providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
Why Youth Thrive matters
In Ghana, a staggering 65% of youth do not complete their secondary education, leaving them at a higher risk of unemployment and poverty. For those who lack parental care, these challenges are even more daunting. The Youth Thrive project aims to break the cycle of poverty by providing vital support and access to opportunities, empowering young people to learn, grow and achieve their dreams.
Features of the Youth Thrive project
Scholarship and academic support: Facilitating access to education and enhancing academic performance to help youth pursue higher education or vocational training.
Experiential learning through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Program: Engaging youth in physical recreation, skills development, volunteering, and adventurous journeys, fostering personal growth and leadership skills.
Career guidance and mentorship: Assisting participants in setting career goals and gaining practical experience through internships and work placements.
Digital literacy and soft skills development: Strengthening communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and digital competencies to prepare youth for the modern workforce.
Mental health and psychosocial support: Providing comprehensive support for personal wellbeing and mental health, ensuring youth have the resilience to overcome challenges.
Community engagement: Encouraging youth to actively participate in and contribute to their communities.
The WISE Portal: A digital platform for success
A standout feature of Youth Thrive is the WISE Portal, developed by The Steele Family Foundation. This secure digital platform enables participants to manage their scholarship journey, track progress, and access resources to reach their academic, personal, and career goals.
“The WISE Portal is an essential tool for empowering youth throughout their journey. It provides them easy access to education resources, timely personalized assessments, and support they need to track their progress and plan for their future careers while staying connected with their Senior Scholarship Administrators,” said Stacey Steele, Director of Communications, The Steele Family Foundation.
“This platform plays a pivotal role in helping Youth Thrive project participants achieve their goals. We’re proud to be able to offer so many young people in Ghana opportunities to achieve their dreams,” added Michael Steele, President, The Steele Family Foundation.
Michael Steele, President, The Steele Family Foundation.
Support that makes a difference
All of us at SOS Children’s Villages Canada are grateful for the longstanding and loyal partnership of The Steele Family Foundation led by Michael and Stacey Steele, which enables us to provide the necessary services to young people in need.
The Youth Thrive project will be implemented in Ghana by the Head of State Award Ghana, a member of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and SOS Children’s Villages Ghana.
At the project launch in Ghana, from left to right:
Thomas Bauer, President and CEO, SOS Children’s Villages Canada
Harry Sintim-Aboagye, Board Chair, Head of State Award Scheme board
Michael Steele, President, The Steele Family Foundation
Stacey Steele, Director of Communications, The Steele Family Foundation
Harriet Lomotey, Director of Education, Ghana Education Serivce, Shia Osu Doku municipal assembly
Peter Anum, Executive Director of Head of State Award Scheme
Anthony Gyamfi, National Program Director, SOS Children’s Villages Ghana