The Impact of York University Faculty Association Community Projects (YUFA-CP): Funding for Jane & Finch Community Access to Post-Secondary Education

Abstract

In the past 10 years, the York University Faculty Association’s Community Projects initiative (YUFA-CP) has spent a significant amount of funding on community projects targeting the Jane and Finch community in Toronto, Canada. In this study, we analyzed annual reports 2009–2017 from the communities who received more than $1500 in funding. We also gathered data from eight interviews with community program directors and past program participants in order to gauge the effectiveness of the funding in assisting students from low-income communities to access higher education at nearby York University (Toronto, Canada). Literature reviews of academic journals and various online sources were done to support the analysis. Study results showed several positive impacts from the funding initiative; improved social support and financial assistance as well as gains in student academic achievement and self-confidence were evident from the interview results. The data suggest that the faculty association’s community project funding initiative has been used effectively in the past 10 years.