Student team earns 2015 national recognition for efforts to empower newcomers in Windsor.

CityThrive - Photo 1TORONTO, ONTARIO (May 11, 2015) – The University of Windsor has been awarded the 2015 RBC Newcomer Advancement Project Partnership – Best Project by this country’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud supporter RBC Foundation. The awards presentation took place at the 2015 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto.

The Enactus team from the University of Windsor was awarded Best Project because they were able to impact the lives of nine new Canadians through their project, City Thrive.

City Thrive aimed to help individuals on social assistance break the cycle of poverty by launching their own business. This year, nine new Canadians launched their very own ventures, generating $70,000 in revenue and creating 12 new jobs.

“Canada’s future prosperity will increasingly depend on our ability to remain a destination of choice for skilled immigrants,” notes Shari Austin, vice-president, Corporate Citizenship, RBC and executive director, RBC Foundation, “We need to support newcomers, both in terms of funding employment and in fulfilling their entrepreneurial ambitions. On behalf of RBC I’d like to congratulate the Enactus team from the University of Windsor.”

The RBC Newcomer Advancement Project Partnership was designed to accelerate the advancement of newcomers to Canada, creating social and economic opportunities that will strengthen the well-being of communities.

“As a country, when we welcome newcomers to Canada, we carry a responsibility to support them through this transition,” said Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “We are proud to recognize the Enactus team from the University of Windsor for using entrepreneurial action to address this challenge and, in partnership with RBC Foundation, showcase the difference they have made in people’s lives.”

The RBC Newcomer Advancement Project Partnership – Best Project was awarded at the 2015 Enactus Canada National Exposition , where more than 1,200 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs came together to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

For news throughout the year and competition results during the event, please visit @Enactus_Canada on Twitter.

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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, this country’s largest student leadership development organization, is shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,400 entrepreneurial postsecondary students led 250 community empowerment projects and business ventures this past year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.

Media inquiries:

Jody Lundrigan
Director, Communications
Enactus Canada
E: jody@enactus.ca
M: 416.346.0131