The Issue

Child poverty is not just an economic problem. It is an educational crisis, a health crisis, and a social crisis — one that shapes the trajectory of a child's entire life.

The Reality in Canada

  • 1.4 million (1 in 5) Canadian children live at or below the poverty line

  • The pandemic erased years of literacy progress — many children lost two full school years of learning

  • Declining literacy scores have left children struggling to keep up in school

  • Mental health challenges are now appearing at increasingly younger ages

  • Low-income families cannot access private tutoring or enrichment programs

  • The 3:00–6:00 PM after-school window is a critical vulnerability point — unsupported children are at greater risk of falling behind

Why After-School Matters

The hours after school are not empty time — they are make-or-break time. Research consistently shows that children who lack access to structured, supportive after-school programming are more likely to fall behind academically, experience mental health challenges, and disengage from school altogether.

For children in under-resourced communities, the gap between 3 PM and dinner is often the widest gap of all. No tutors, no structured activities, no safe space — just time that could be used to build skills, but it isn't.

The Start2Finish Response

Start2Finish exists to close this gap. Our evidence-based out-of-school programs target the three outcomes most critical to long-term success: improved literacy, increased physical activity and social-emotional development, and the development of the agency and self-confidence needed to thrive in high school and beyond.

  • Literacy Support for All Children:

    Ensure every child has access to the tools they need to succeed.

    See Our Impact

  • Access to After-School Programming Without Financial Barriers:

    Eliminate financial obstacles to ensure equitable access for all.

    Support Our Work