Early Outreach

Mission
To cultivate community, build confidence and explore post-secondary options in a safe and inclusive environment

Vision
All youth are granted equal opportunity to map out their futures and reach their full potential

Values
Empower, Educate, Enrich

About Us:

The Early Outreach Conference (REACH) is an annual USC initiative intended to introduce approximately 250 youth in London and the broader community to post-secondary education opportunities. This program recognizes that many students begin thinking about their future at an early age, and serves to provide them with the guidance, information, and tools necessary to support their decision-making process. Western collaborates with the City of London, Middlesex County, Thames Valley District School Board, Fanshawe College, and a diverse range of non-profit organizations in the community to ensure that the conference addresses the various needs of students during the transition from elementary school to high school.

REACH 2025 will be held fully in-person from May 16th, 2025 to May 18th, 2025. Over the course of the conference weekend, grade 7 and 8 delegates will stay in residence overnight at Western and take part in a diverse range of educational programming, leadership activities, and social events. This includes: mock lectures from professors at Western and Fanshawe, motivational guest speakers, introspective workshops covering allyship, self-esteem, and wellness, a financial planning seminar, a talent show, and more.

By offering a comprehensive look into the benefits of post-secondary education, we hope to foster personal growth and capability building amongst all delegates. We continually strive to cultivate a transformative experience through which students can explore their passions and realize their potential in an inclusive and supportive environment.

For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Arani Harimohan at earlyoutreach@westernusc.ca

Register:

Online registration for REACH 2025 will be open from February 17th, 2025 at 9:00am to March 1st, 2025 at 11:59pm. Please confirm that your child will be available to attend the conference from May 16th, 2025 to May 18th, 2025 prior to registering.

Note that registration will not be on a first-come, first-served basis (i.e. it is not necessary to register as soon as the form opens), but rather will be priority-based. Grade 8 students who have yet to attend REACH will be prioritized, allowing each student the opportunity to attend at least once. Any remaining spots will be assigned to students who do not fit that criteria in a randomized and equitable manner. Students who have been selected to attend REACH 2025 will receive an email confirming that they have been reserved a spot and all other students will be placed on a wait-list.

Any questions about the conference or about the registration process can be directed to earlyoutreach.registrar@westernusc.ca

Join Our Team:

Are you a Western student and want to be part of the Early Outreach Conference?

Leadership Developers (LDs) work in pairs to serve as mentors for small groups of grade 7 and 8 students (Delegates) throughout the conference. LDs are responsible for providing appropriate guidance and support to their students — serving as role models who exemplify enthusiasm and integrity, encourage participation in workshops and activities, and who foster personal growth and capacity building amongst Delegates. Our team is committed to creating an inclusive and safe space in order to develop meaningful experiences that positively impact delegates. Each year we also interview, hire, and train approximately 70 LDs.

If you have any questions about the Early Outreach Conference, the executive positions, or the application process, please email our Coordinator, Arani Harimohan, at earlyoutreach@westernusc.ca