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We, the undersigned, urge the Ministry of Education and the Surrey School District to stop plans to close Surrey Learning Centres, life-saving resources for at-risk youth. 

Cutting funding to schools that support at-risk youth goes against Surrey Schools' values of inclusivity and personalized learning. The district’s stated commitment to meeting the needs of all students, especially those from diverse backgrounds, cannot be achieved by reducing resources for those most at risk. A district that abandons students who are already struggling cannot be trusted to support all learners. 

Students at the Surrey Learning Centres often face challenges that make them unfit for mainstream school environments. A significant number are 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, or have disabilities - communities that often experience marginalization and discrimination. Cutting funds for the Learning Centres will further alienate and marginalize these students. The Surrey School District cannot claim to value diversity while removing the safe space and community that marginalized youth need to thrive. 

Funding the Learning Centres is a better investment in the long run. By providing these students with the support they need, they can develop the skills and confidence to positively contribute to society. This approach is more cost-effective than the financial burdens created by shutting down the Learning Centres, such as the need for increased social services, mental health care, and involvement in the judicial system.

For many students, these schools are their only safe spaces, where they can start to heal and rebuild their futures. Closing them sends the message that the struggles of at-risk youth do not matter, and that they are not worth investing in. This decision would not only take away their opportunity for a quality education, but also their sense of hope for a better future.

We call on the Ministry of Education and the Surrey School District to reconsider this harmful decision. The futures of at-risk youth are at stake. This is not just about education; it is about the well-being and success of all young people in our community. 

Please sign this petition to ensure that the Surrey Learning Centres remain open and continue to serve the youth who need them most.