February 5, 2016 - BARRIE, ON: Over the past 100 days students in the Simcoe Mukoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) participated in social justice initiatives to raise funds for the Archdiocese of Toronto's campaign, Project Hope. The campaign's goal was to raise $3 million, in 100 days, to bring Syrian refugees to the Greater Toronto Area.
The Archdiocese of Toronto has surpassed their goal, by raising over $3.8 million to help resettle Syrian refugees. The SMCDSB community contributed to this effort by raising more than $12,000 through spirit days, bake sales and other community events.
Arthur Peters, Director of the Office of Development at the Archdiocese of Toronto, visited Mother Teresa Catholic School, in Bradford West Gwillimbury, to accept the cheque from the school's social justice club.
"Once the schools learned about Project Hope, they eagerly began thinking of ways to raise funds in support of the cause," said Brian Beal, Director of Education at the SMCDSB. "These Syrian families have been through so much over the past several years and our students and staff wanted to do something to welcome them to Canada and make their transition a little bit easier."