It’s about caring.
That was the theme as President of Loyalist College Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan announced an $80,000 fund for current and former people who’ve left or are leaving the extended care of children’s aid societies today (Thursday).
That fund will be in place every year going forward and will pay the costs of tuition of 16 students each year.
“Caring is a core value at Loyalist,” said Dr. Vaughan. “We know many students leaving the care of children’s aid societies often don’t get the right supports growing up and many don’t even consider post-secondary education. Many deal with serious emotional, physical and financial challenges.
We want to them to know that Loyalist College cares. We want to create a pathway to a successful life for them”.
Founder of Child Welfare PAC (Political Action Committee) Jane Kovarikova. (Photo: Quinte News)
The woman spearheading these so-called “tuition waivers” is Jane Kovarikova, the founder of Child Welfare PAC (Political Action Committee).
Kovarikova has worked tirelessly with all parties at Queen’s Park and especially Bay of Quinte riding MPP and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith who also spoke at the announcement ceremony at Loyalist, stressing the importance of getting as many people as possible involved in trade school or other post-secondary learning.
Bay of Quinte riding MPP and Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services Todd Smith. (Photo: Quinte News)
Herself a foster child, Kovarikova left high school and struck out on her own at the age of 16. Not long after, she managed to get some financial help and was able to continue her education through Georgian College.
“We don’t have much in the way of statistics about post-secondary education and people who’ve left or are leaving extended society care but it’s likely they’ll be very similar to those seen in the U.S.,” said Kovarikova.
“There are about 1,000 people who age out of extended care each year. Of those, 600 have dropped out of high school while 400 finish high school. Of those 400, 20% go on to post-secondary education. Of those, only about 80 people actually graduate from post-secondary, whether it be trade school, college, or university.”
“These people really need all the help they can get. Many just don’t bother trying because the financial challenges just seem too overwhelming for them.”
Tami Callahan, Executive Director of Highland Shores Children’s Aid, had high praise for Loyalist’s commitment. “This is going to make a better life possible for 16 people. And we, as a Children’s Aid Society, will continue to financially and otherwise, support students moving on to post-secondary education. We currently and in the past have helped people 18 years of age and up pay for their basic living expenses as they attend school.”
Last year, about 30 people in extended care with Highland Shores were enrolled in some kind of post-secondary education.
Tami Callahan, Executive Director of Highland Shores CAS. (Photo: Quinte News)
The tuition waivers now being offered at Loyalist College are also available at Georgian College and Laurentian University.
