The following media release from the Hastings Children’s Aid Society describes an endowment fund which has been established at Loyalist College.
Media Release
October 30, 2009
Contacts:
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Len Kennedy Executive Director Hastings Children’s Aid Society 613-962-9192, ext. 2305
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Dianne Spencer Executive Director, College Advancement & External Relations Loyalist College 613-969-1913, ext. 2235
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Former Youth in Care applauds announcement of Doc Turley Endowment Fund to total more than $75,000
Len Kennedy, HCAS Executive Director, Peter Smith, Quinte Children’s Foundation Board Chair and Ralph Porter of the Belleville Kiwanis Club announced yesterday the establishment of the Quinte Children’s Foundation, Kiwanis Doc Turley, Hastings CAS Endowment Fund.
The endowment fund, administered through the Loyalist College Foundation, will provide an annual award to crown wards and former crown wards of HCAS in full time studies at Loyalist College of Belleville.
Former youth-in-care, Megan Bolan – a first year student in the civil engineering program at Loyalist College – said yesterday’s announcement of the endowment fund will go a long way to supporting her and other youth-in-care who choose Loyalist as their college. “As a former crown ward I’ve been part of the QCF Reach for Success Bursary program and the support I received helped me move forward with my dream of attending Loyalist College and making a life for myself and my daughter.” said the 19- year-old.
Hastings CAS Executive Director, Len Kennedy, said the $37,873 fund, made up of a $20,000 bequest by the late Doc Turley through the Belleville Kiwanis Club and $17,873 from an historical Hastings CAS Board fund reserved for education, will be matched by the Ontario government through the Ontario Trust for Student Support (OTSS) – a program which matches dollar for dollar contributions to the college endowment for student bursaries.
“When the matching OTSS funds are received by Loyalist the endowment will total over $75,000.00,” said Quinte Children’s Foundation’s Chair, Peter Smith. “Thanks to the late Dr. Turley, the Belleville Kiwanis Club, HCAS Education Fund and the Ontario Government, financial support is now in place to provide youth in care an opportunity to attend Loyalist College and in doing so, reach their full potential.”
Margaret Werkhoven, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors and Beverley Townsend, Chair of the College Foundation, accepted the donation and thanked all involved for establishing the endowment fund at Loyalist.
“We’re pleased to be part of this unique partnership,” said Margaret Werkhoven. “We recognize how important it is for young people to have a good education in order to be happy, successful and good citizens and we know that recipients of these awards will have access to an excellent education at Loyalist College.”
Beverley Townsend added her thanks on behalf of the College Foundation. “This endowment is going to make a significant difference in the lives of many individuals in the future. Congratulations to those who have had the foresight to build this partnership,” she said.
In his remarks, Belleville Kiwanian, Ralph Porter, who was instrumental in the conception and development of the endowment fund, said he was proud to know Doc Turley as a Kiwanian and as a friend. “He was a real gentleman,” said Porter.
Hastings Children’s Aid Society will be involved in naming the recipient each year, together with Quinte Children’s Foundation and Loyalist College, and the recipient will be announced at the Quinte Children’s Foundation’s Annual Youth Achievement Awards in May.
“It’s very timely that we should announce this exciting new bursary during our annual October Child Abuse Prevention Campaign,” said HCAS Executive Director, Len Kennedy. “For many of our youth, obtaining post-secondary education provides them the chance they need to break the cycle of abuse and poverty and we’re profoundly grateful to the late Doc Turley, the Kiwanis Club of Belleville and the Quinte Children’s Foundation for helping our young people achieve a brighter, more successful future through an education at Loyalist College.”