ABACUS, a collaborative initiative of Hamilton Community Foundation and The Fairmont Foundation, is a 10-year commitment to increasing the likelihood that young people facing multiple barriers graduate high school and access post-secondary, by focusing on the pivotal middle-school years.

Two new granting calls will open March 1, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. and close May 2, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. for programs that run in the 2022-23 school year. They reflect a deeper understanding of student populations who face barriers and the transition periods into and out of middle school. You can read more about ABACUS Phase II: Equity, wellness, academic achievement here.

Watch a video of our March 10, 2022 information session for organizations to learn more about the programs and applying to them.

Vital Signs Chat: Dismantling Racism in Hamilton

Join us for coffee and a discussion on dismantling racism in Hamilton. Terry Cooke hosts Princewill Ogban (Lead, Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre) and Dr. Ameil Joseph (Professor, Faculty of Social Work, McMaster University) to talk about issues like systemic racism, hate crimes and how we can all work together to oppose racism in our city. Please arrive by 7:45am for coffee and snacks.

Vital Signs chats expand on the data in our Hamilton Vital Signs report and engage the community in talking about and taking action on important issues in Hamilton.