Driving change: how Payworks and our partners are helping University College of the North students reach campus

Key takeaways

Payworks, Johnston Group, and Birchwood Auto were honoured to donate a vehicle to the University College of the North (UCN) to help students in northern Manitoba overcome a real barrier to education: getting there. UCN serves a predominantly Indigenous student population, many of whom are the first in their families to pursue post-secondary education. Many travel 25–50 kilometres from remote communities without public transit, through winters that can be downright dangerous. This donation is one step toward making that journey safer and more reliable, so that students can focus on their futures.

In this article:

• Why transportation is a barrier for UCN students

• How did the partnership come together?

• What does the vehicle donation mean for students?

• Why does Payworks invest in its communities?

Some commutes are inconvenient, and others are genuinely difficult. For students at the University College of the North (UCN), getting to campus can fall into that second category; long distances, no public transit, and Manitoba winters that don't make anything easier (-40°C.? No thanks).

That's why, alongside our friends at Johnston Group and Birchwood Auto, we were honoured to donate a vehicle to UCN, to help their students get to class safely, and ensure they can stay committed to their education.

Photo: Representatives from Birchwood Auto, Johnston Group, UCN, and Payworks pose together beside a vehicle with a custom Northern Lights wrap.

Why is transportation a barrier for UCN students?

UCN's main campus is in The Pas, Manitoba; an area where commuting is a challenge and public transit isn't an option. Students travel from communities like Nelson House, Norway House and Tataskwayak (which is nearly 300 kms away). When winter temperatures plummet, those trips can become unsafe.

UCN serves a predominantly Indigenous student population, and many students are the first in their families to pursue a post-secondary education. For these students, they don’t simply want to ‘attend classes’ – they want to belong to something larger, as they are building something new, and carrying the hopes of their communities with them. When transportation makes that journey unreliable or unsafe, the cost can mean stepping away from a path they - and their families - worked hard to reach.

"This isn’t just about providing the mode of transportation. It’s about removing that gap that exists for individuals in Northern communities, about providing equitable access to education and services, into things that matter, so that students can achieve their goals. We understand deeply that the strength of the community is tied directly to the people within them”, says Maureen Kinnear, Chief Technology Officer at Payworks.

How did the partnership come together?

We may be a Winnipeg-headquartered company, but our team cares about communities well beyond the city (we love Paying it Forward from coast to coast!). When the opportunity to support UCN arose it felt like a practical way to put that care into action.

“We were on a call with University College of the North, just talking about how we can provide leadership, support and community for the students within the University College. It started with a discussion around grocery and gas cards, and as we dove deeper, what was really clear was that we could do much more to support the students and within the overall Northern Manitoba business community”, Maureen says.

Birchwood assisted with procuring the vehicle and outfitting it with a custom Northern Lights wrap, and after a highly anticipated wait for the arrival of the car, Payworks CTO Maureen Kinnear excitedly presented the keys to UCN CFO Kimberley Laycock at Payworks Head Office.

Photo: Payworks CTO Maureen Kinnear presents the vehicle keys to UCN CFO Kimberley Laycock at Payworks HQ in Winnipeg.

What does the vehicle donation mean for students?

The vehicle - a Buick Enclave – was chosen for its ability to handle northern road conditions year-round. It will be operated by UCN-approved community drivers following established safety and training protocols, supporting students who need a reliable way to reach campus.

"At Johnston Group, we believe that where you live should not determine how far you can go. We’re not just helping students get to class and learn, we’re helping them stay enrolled, pursue opportunities and careers, and return to their communities as leaders and role models.” says Ashlee Hodge, Director of Executive Operations, Culture and Community Engagement at Johnston Group.

And as UCN VP, Finance & Administration Kim Laycock says, the donation represents more than just a means to get to school – it’s a pathway to success: “Much of our programming is delivered into small communities or outside of a regular classroom environment. Long distance travel to and from these locations occurs regularly. This donation represents a safe and accessible way for students to travel to their learning environment, significantly supporting their success.”

Today's donation is one step in a larger vision UCN has for student transportation in the region, and we're proud to contribute to that journey.

Photo: Johnston Group Director of Executive Operations, Culture and Community Engagement Ashlee Hodge shakes hands with Kimberley Layckcok, CFO at University College of the North.

Why does Payworks invest in its communities?

We work with tens of thousands of Canadian businesses: small, large, urban, and rural. That reach comes with a chosen responsibility - we believe businesses have a role to play in supporting the communities they're part of, and that means looking beyond our own offices. That’s why we also proudly support more than 300 organizations across Canada through local sponsorships, investments and volunteering.

Heather Reid, Payworks Community Events and Engagement Specialist, was excited about the donation: “Payworks was built in this province, and the communities across Manitoba have been part of our story from day one. So when the opportunity came up to support University College of the North and the students who travel long distances to get there, it fit naturally with how we think about giving. What made this donation special was doing it together. Johnston Group and Birchwood brought the same heart to the table, and none of us could have made this happen alone. Getting to do it alongside partners who care as deeply as we do was a real privilege!”

Want to learn more about how Payworks gives back? Visit our Pay it Forward page or follow us on LinkedIn for updates on future community initiatives.