“Unemployment among Aboriginal youth has reached unacceptable rates. I want to encourage all youth to pursue education,” says John MacIntyre, Com’78.
Mr. MacIntyre and the company he co-founded, Birch Hill Equity Partners, donated $1 million to establish The Birch Hill Equity Partners Achievement Award, which provides $9,000 annually to students with demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, leadership and involvement in school or community activities. Helping to create opportunities for Aboriginal youth is a priority at Birch Hill, especially given its role as a National Partner in the Prince's Canadian Responsible Business Network.
In collaboration with Prince Charles’ Canadian Responsible Business Network, Birch Hill created and hosted an Aboriginal Job Seeker Career Market in October 2015, an event that attracted 241 job seekers and 33 employers. In June 2016, the two organizations announced Community Connector, an online hiring portal, and partnership program which connects the skills and expertise of Aboriginal youth with employers.
“I believe a Queen’s University degree will equip tomorrow's youth for success in the future,” says Mr. MacIntyre, who encourages other companies to broaden their hiring practices to realize a wider pool of skilled employees.
His work with Aboriginal youth and various other charities is the reason Mr. MacIntyre is this year’s recipient of the Alumni Humanitarian Award from the Queen’s University Alumni Association. The honour is given to a Queen’s alumnus/alumna for distinguished work or volunteer service which has made a difference to the well-being of others.
“John is a sincere philanthropist who strives to bring Aboriginal peoples and first-generation students into the economy and open doors through education,” says Michael Kehoe, Com’78, who nominated Mr. MacIntyre for the award.
Mr. MacIntyre lives in Toronto and has served as a director of St. Michael’s Hospital, was chair of Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation and the Toronto Community Foundation. Every year he raises funds and participates in the Wellspring Peloton Team Challenge, a charity bike ride from Toronto to New Orleans.
Mr. MacIntyre donates his time because he feels it is important to give back. “I think it is important that the community I am living in have strong support networks, so organizations such as hospitals and community foundations are really important to me. It’s very satisfying work,” he says.
