About

Our Mission

…is to support hard-working students
in financial difficulty to improve their ability to stay in school

Our Vision

…every student in Toronto to graduate from high school, regardless of financial circumstances

Grateful and supported—it reminded me that people believe in students like me and want to see us succeed.

2024-2025

High School Student

Our Impact Metrics

Impact Metrics for Community Support For Students Program (CSSP)

100+

Students Supported

100%

Graduation Rate

13

Schools

How it started

Fred and Tracy Cass saw too many students struggling to finish high school because of financial hardship-and no help in sight.

Inspired by an article about Ottawa’s Help Our Students (HOST) program, they reached out to its founder, Richard Lussier, and set out to bring that same lifeline to Toronto.

Together, they launched the Community Support for Students Program, determined to give vulnerable students the support they deserve.

Today, HOST supports students across every Ottawa high school, and Richard continues to guide CSSP as a valued board member and advisor

How it works

The Compass Award provides $1,000 to a hard-working Toronto high school student facing financial need, paid as $100 monthly from September to June via direct deposit.

Recipients are selected by their school’s principal or guidance counsellor, remain anonymous unless they choose otherwise, and can use the funds as they wish-with no restrictions.

At the end of the year, recipients write a brief letter about how the award impacted them. All donations go directly to students, as program directors cover administrative costs