Empowering youth through literacy and leadership since 1992
LiftED (formerly The Leacock Foundation) is a registered charity committed to building a world where all youth—regardless of background—have the opportunity to realize their full potential. Founded in 1992 by the late Peter Oliver of Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants, our mission is to confront inequity by equipping young people with the critical and creative thinking skills they need to become confident leaders—now and in the future.
For over 30 years, we’ve worked alongside communities in Thorncliffe Park, St. James Town, Jane & Finch, and Scarborough, offering fully-subsidized literacy and leadership programs to historically marginalized children and youth from SK to Grade 12.
Our Focus: Literacy + Leadership
We believe that strong literacy skills and inclusive leadership experiences are fundamental for every child’s academic, economic, and social success. That’s why our programs are designed to support youth where they are, with consistent support during out-of-school hours, weekends and throughout the summer.
Our programs include:
Literacy Programs (SK–Grade 6)
-Saturday Morning Literacy Club: Weekly sessions led by certified teachers
-LEAP into Literacy: A high-impact, literacy-focused summer camp
-March Break Math Literacy: A week-long program building numeracy and confidence
Leadership Programs (Grades 5–12)
-Take the LEAD: Leadership development, advocacy, and confidence-building
-Youth Mentorship & Employment: Many of our past participants return as volunteers or staff—gaining real-world experience and giving back to their communities.
Join Us
Together, we can ensure every young person has the tools they need to succeed. Contact us at info@liftededucation.org to learn how you can donate or get involved—and help us build a brighter future, one student at a time. Check out our website at www.liftededucation.org.
