Community Partners
Our community partners have been foundational to our success. Partnerships integrate our community with a wide network of people, who together can confront systemic poverty in diverse and critical ways.
We have partnerships with international and local entities, including schools, corporations, NGOs, foundations and government programs.
Explore highlights from our youth-focused partners:
Loran Scholars Foundation
“GPS is a transformative beacon in the community. The work that is being done addresses foundational needs that all humans need to survive.”
–Illakkiyan Jeyakumar, Loran Scholar, 2017
Our partnership with the Loran Scholars Foundation offers exceptional students the opportunity to intern at GPS and co-create community programs.
GPS has welcomed many Loran Scholars who have enriched our community and health programs. Examples of projects include:
- A community medical database
- Annual health reporting
- Healthy living programs and clubs
- Leadership and mentorship programs
All of the Loran programs are now operated by our community members.
Read about our running program in The Hindu, developed by Loran Scholar Nageswaran.
The York School and Greenwood
“I don't know how to express how important I think this school is, and the tremendous growth the community has experienced because of the roots of the education GPS is providing. For my students, it was the involvement in the classrooms that had a profound impact on them. The way they got to know the students and each individual story helped bring perspective to their own lives.”
–William Farbstein, teacher at Greenwood College
Twice a year, a select group of grade 11 students and teachers from the York School and Greenwood College school travel to GPS for two weeks of service learning focused on classroom volunteering.
While at GPS, students will:
- Assist teachers, lead activities and lessons, and connect individually with the students
- Support school improvement tasks around the school
- Fundraise and bring donations to GPS
The program can be counted toward one of four required CAS experiences and can be inspiration for the required CAS project. All of our school exchange programs count as community service hours.
Kilcoo Camp
“We got the chance to work with incredible, like-minded individuals on a daily basis to create educational and exciting programs for the campers. We built those rare kinds of bonds with both the campers and GPS staff where both parties are uniquely aware you may never meet again, but the impact it had will likely last a lifetime.”
–Frances Howlett, Camp counsellor 2019
The Kilcoo-GPS summer camp partnership provides a unique opportunity for Kilcoo and GPS camp staff to exchange ideas and develop long-lasting relationships that foster individual and community growth. Each year, Kilcoo identifies select staff with strong leadership and team-building skills to work alongside GPS staff, together enriching the whole program.
