Philanthropists Robert and Ellen Eisenberg will math any donations made to Sistema Toronto until the end of the year, up to $250,000. The initiative was launched on November 26, Giving Tuesday.
The new campaign is titled FORTE: Stronger Together, which incorporates a plan to expand the reach of the charity, which currently offers barrier- and cost-free musical and other opportunities to more than 450 kids weekly in four of Toronto’s underserved communities.
“Bringing this programming to as many students as we can is at the core of our mission” says Shawn Earle, CEO of Sistema Toronto, in a statement. “Ensemble music education is a mechanism for growth and critical development for young people, but access to it is all too often limited. Robert and Ellen Eisenberg’s support will help us reach more children and connect with them in meaningful, supportive ways so they feel empowered to express themselves and grow as people.”
The initiative comes in response to an increase in demand for its services.
FORTE: Stronger Together
There are three specific goals that Sistema Toronto is aiming to reach:
- Expanding the reach of the program to include 1,000 children from its current enrolment of about 450 each week;
- Expanding the program to include a new winds instrument program, adding clarinet and trumpet to the current offerings of percussion, choir, and string instrument instruction;
- Boost the Honours program, incorporating the Honours Orchestra, which offers continuing music education opportunities for kids in high school who have graduated from the Core Sistema program.
They’re hoping to shorten or eliminate the waitlists, as well as offer extensions to the usual after school program, including daytime sessions and workshops with partners in the community. There are also plans to open more program centres in the future.
As Sistema Toronto points out, recent statistics from the Toronto Foundation underscore the need. More than half of the people filing taxes in the city earn less than a living wage. Schools are also facing challenges, including both staffing and funding for any programs.
At Sistema Toronto, kids from low-income regions can access musical education, along with the social skills that come with it, a daily snack, and a safe space, all offered at no cost to the child and family.
- Find out more about FORTE: Stronger Together and make a gift in support of Sistema Toronto [HERE].
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