BC college launches scholarship program to support local youth in need

Last year, 2,095 residents identified as homeless in Metro Vancouver. While age groups vary among homeless populations, some who find themselves in this situation are youth.

Vancouver-based organization Covenant House supports youth who are experiencing homelessness, those who have fled abuse, those who have been forced out of their homes, and those who have aged out of foster care. Ultimately, the organization helps offer youth love and hope for a fresh start in life.

To further support youth in need in Vancouver, BC’s Sprott Shaw College and its parent company CIBT Education Group have partnered with Covenant House Vancouver to launch a new scholarship program.

Covenant House Vancouver

The inaugural Sprott Shaw College/Covenant House Scholarship Program will see the partners create up to $500,000 in complete scholarships for Covenant House Vancouver youth over two years.

It will provide homeless youth who are ready to reshape their lives with the opportunity to access education and to complete career-oriented programs. Covenant House Vancouver is set to recommend candidates for the scholarship program and support them throughout their journey in higher education. 

Those who apply must also meet the academic and admission requirements for the program they select but will have the full support of Sprott Shaw College and Covenant House Vancouver staff. Meanwhile, the cost of all tuition fees plus textbooks and supplies will be covered by CIBT Education Group. 

Then, when the candidates reach graduation, the job placement department at Sprott Shaw College will assist them in finding employment suited to their qualifications, skills, and aspirations for the years ahead.

Sprott Shaw College

This isn’t the first time Sprott Shaw College has stepped in to give back to Vancouver’s local community. In the past, it has helped support initiatives from food banks to mental health awareness campaigns, meal programs to clothing drives, and a great deal more.

For instance, in 2019, Sprott Shaw College had over 100 students and staff distribute over 1,100 meals, more than 250 care packages, and many more socks, toques, mittens, blankets, and jackets to the downtown eastside (pictured above).

“Our communities make us who we are. We are proud to continue to support the Vancouver community that we’ve been a part of since our inception in 1903,” said Victor Tesan, President of Sprott Shaw College.

“Through this program, I hope to see lives changed and transformed. I hope to see our youth, who have faced too many challenges in their young lives, be given the opportunity to grow and make a difference in the fields they are passionate about.”

Since it first opened its doors, Sprott Shaw College has educated and trained more than 150,000 students, including alumni like the globally-revered writer and artist Emily Carr. Now, youth in need have the chance to pursue their program of choice under the same roof.

To learn more about this exciting scholarship opportunity, clients of Covenant House Vancouver should contact their Youth Worker. For more information about other grant and scholarship opportunities available for you, head to sprottshaw.com.