Youth Futures Education Fund receives $20,000 of Paper Excellence’s $50,000 United Way donation

For Immediate Release:

[Richmond, BC] – Paper Excellence announced today a $50,000 donation to United Way, $20,000 of which is being awarded to the Youth Futures Education Fund.

Youth Futures Education Fund provides low-barrier access to funds to support living expenses to youth who have aged out of the foster care system and are attending a post-secondary institution on a tuition waiver. The Fund is guided by an Advisory Committee, held at the Vancouver Foundation, and is administered by United Way British Columbia.

“Former youth in care have shown determination, resiliency, and strength when it comes to pursuing post-secondary education. To help them share their knowledge, life experience and skills with our communities, they also need financial support,” said Mike McKnight, President & CEO, United Way British Columbia. “United Way is proud to be part of the Youth Futures Education Fund, a unique partnership working to ensure all young people have access to post-secondary education for a bright future for all.”

“In Paper Excellence’s Mission Statement, it states that we will improve the well-being of the communities in which we operate,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety and Corporate Communications. “We believe that supporting young people during such an important moment in their lives—transitioning out of the foster care system and into post-secondary education—will make a lasting impact both for those young people and our community as a whole.”

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Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers. The company operates seven mills and a large-scale cargo distribution centre in Canada producing and shipping over 2.8 million tonnes annually with a workforce of more than 2,800. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.

About Youth Futures Education Fund
The Youth Futures Education Fund was collaboratively established by: Coast Capital, The Province of British Columbia, and the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth. The Youth Futures Education Fund is guided by an Advisory Committee, held at the Vancouver Foundation and is administered by United Way British Columbia – working with communities in BC’s Interior, Lower Mainland and Central & Northern Vancouver Island. Youth Futures Education Fund – Helping youth achieve their potential

About United Way British Columbia – working with communities in BC’s Interior, Lower Mainland and Central & Northern Vancouver Island
United Way supports healthy, caring and inclusive communities by strengthening vital connections that support people in need. Representing the six regions of Central and Northern Vancouver Island, East Kootenay, Lower Mainland, Southern Interior, Thompson Nicola Cariboo, and Trail and District, our organization serves a population of more than 4 million people, with a focus on kids and youth, seniors, poverty, mental health and food security. https://uwbc.ca/

Media Contacts: 

Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety and Corporate Communications | media@paperexcellence.com | Mobile: 250-732-7991

Pinder Rehal, Senior Communications Specialist | pinderr@uwbc.ca | Direct: 604.969.8637