Impacts of Pathways to Education program on health and crime

Official title of the report: Impacts of the Pathways to Education program on health and crime

Authors of the report: Dr. Adam Lavecchia, Dr. Philip Oreopoulos and Noah Spencer

Why this study

Pathways to Education Canada (Pathways) is a national charitable group that helps youth living in low-income areas to help them finish high school and go to post-secondary education. Employment and Social Development Canada is one of the funders of this program. This research looks at the impact of the Pathways program on crime and health outcomes of youth in the communities it serves.

What we did

The study looked at the crime and health outcomes of young people living in the following Toronto neighbourhoods:

• Regent Park
• Rexdale, and
• Lawrence Heights

To look at the impact of Pathways, the research compared:

• the health and crime outcomes of youth in these communities to outcomes from before Pathways started
• these results to youth who had no access to Pathways, and
• these youth to those living in similar low-income areas in Toronto

What we found

Being eligible for Pathways at the Regent Park area had a good impact on youth and their crime outcomes. There was a 32% decrease in crime charges.

Being eligible for Pathways at the Regent Park area also had a small impact on health outcomes and use of the healthcare system. Even though Pathways can help improve health of participants, Pathways participants are at a young age when their health is usually good.

What it means

This research will help the Government of Canada to:

• understand how participating in the Pathways program improves crime and health outcomes of youth, and
• understand how the government’s support of Pathways can help youth engage meaningfully in society and encourage good health status

Contact us

Learning Branch, Learning Policy and Services Directorate, Policy, Planning and Partnerships Division

Email : ESDC.NC.SSPB.RESEARCH-RECHERCHE.DGPSS.CN.EDSC@HRSDC-RHDCC.GC.CA