Special 成人大片 bursary helps youth from government care pursue higher education
A special 成人大片 bursary is helping Cody Jacques, above, and others like him who also grew up in government care, realize their potential. (Courtesy of Cody Jacques)
Growing up in B.C., Cody Jacques didn鈥檛 have a safe family to live with.
Instead, he lived in the care of the government, bouncing between group homes, safe houses, and at times - the street.
At the age of 16, he found himself homeless and living in a 1990 Buick Riviera.
The possibility of attending post-secondary school was unthinkable. Just graduating from high school was daunting. Often, so was surviving.
Today - only 10 years after he was living in a car - not only does Jacques have a home, a dog he loves and a career he has built working for the B.C. Public Service, he鈥檚 completing a master鈥檚 degree in Child and Youth Care at 成人大片 (成人大片).
What鈥檚 helping him pursue his dream? A special 成人大片 bursary, created to help former youth in care like Jacques, realize their potential.
Cody Jacques, above, with his dog, Foggy. (Courtesy of Cody Jacques)
Bursary covers 50 per cent of tuition
For Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons beginning their studies at 成人大片 this fall, who had been living in government care and qualify for government student aid, 成人大片鈥檚 Tuition Bursary for Youth in Extended Society Care may cover 50 per cent of their tuition and ancillary fees.
成人大片 is one of 21 post-secondary institutions in Ontario offering the bursary, which is a priority of the , a federal not-for-profit that represents the interests of children raised by the government.
Tara Collins, professor of child and youth care at 成人大片, began advocating at 成人大片 with some students and Child Welfare PAC to bring this critical financial support before the pandemic, but implementation was stalled when Covid-19 took hold.
成人大片 was then able to offer it for the first time last year to 20 students, including Jacques.
It was so successful, another 20 students will receive it in the 2023-24 academic year.
Collins says the bursary is life-changing - and hopes more support will come.
鈥淓ducation is a human right and it requires active support,鈥� she said. 鈥淏y supporting this bursary program, we鈥檙e not only empowering and transforming the lives of these deserving individuals, we鈥檙e building a stronger society.鈥�
The 1990 Buick Riviera that Cody Jacques was living in when he was 16. (Courtesy of Cody Jacques)
鈥楾his group does not have that choice鈥�
Support for this marginalized group is crucial, since most youth 鈥渁ge out鈥� of government care at 18 or 19 (depending on the province) and don't have additional resources.
鈥淲ithout family privilege, the barriers to education are huge,鈥� Collins said.
To illustrate, she points out that when many people graduate from high school, they live with their parents to save money - with some even living with their parents throughout their entire academic career to save on costs.
鈥淭his group does not have that choice,鈥� Collins said.
"For many, it鈥檚 living in the car, or on the street or in shelters - and trying to figure out a way to get your paper done while figuring out what you鈥檙e going to eat."
鈥淭his bursary is about believing and respecting the humanity and dignity of these individuals and their goals, and recognizing that they鈥檙e different from students who have other resources,鈥� Collins said.
Neglect, abuse, risk of harm
Children and youth who enter the care of the government do so for various reasons 鈥� including abuse, neglect, abandonment, or significant risk of experiencing harm. They can also be an unaccompanied minor arriving at our border.
There are currently about 12,000 youth in care in Ontario, with Black and Indigenous youth significantly overrepresented in the government care system.
As a result of the immense challenges facing these individuals, they are at a much higher risk of drug and alcohol abuse, low academic achievement, early or unplanned pregnancy, homelessness and more.
It鈥檚 why supporting them can make an enormous impact.
鈥淭he perseverance and potential of these students is incredible,鈥� said Collins.
Above, Cody Jacques is seen delivering Christmas gifts to kids in government care, an initiative of the Misfit Christmas event, which also helps ensure they receive a special dinner. (Courtesy of Cody Jacques)
More support needed
That said, while the bursary is an important step, she says more funding is needed.
鈥淭here鈥檚 also the cost of accommodation, babysitting costs, buying books, cell phone bills - these things are all a huge burden for these students,鈥� she said, noting that other types of resources would go a long way as well.
鈥淵ou know, just having a family member who is always there for you, no matter what 鈥� it鈥檚 another thing many people take for granted. So, it鈥檚 the emotional and psychological support too,鈥� she said.
Excited to 鈥榞ive back鈥�
When Jacques found out he had been accepted to 成人大片鈥檚 program - and would receive the new bursary - he was 鈥渆lated鈥�.
鈥淚t was a huge weight off my shoulders to think that I could be more on a level playing field with other folks,鈥� he said.
But, to cover the rest of his expenses, Jacques worked two full-time jobs in the months leading up to his first semester - from 8:30 am. to 4:30 p.m. in a child protective services role for the Province of B.C., then from 6-9 p.m. for a moving company, plus odd jobs on weekends.
Now, to continue helping ensure he can work and make ends meet while finishing his thesis, his program completion date has been slightly extended.
鈥淲hen I鈥檓 really motivated to do something, I do what I can to get it done,鈥� he said.
鈥淥thers can live with their parents if things go wrong, but that鈥檚 not an option for me. If I don鈥檛 pay the bills, I鈥檓 homeless. The motivation lives with me,鈥� he added.
As for his future career in youth care, Jacques says he鈥檚 grateful he鈥檒l have the chance to give back.
鈥淭hat care community, they raised me, they were our survival,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou know, my social workers who were giving me a gas card when I was living in my car 鈥� those relationships, they keep us alive.鈥�
To donate to the bursary for students like Cody, please visit:
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