October 26th regional event dedicated to helping youth in care to achieve post-secondary outcomes
Belleville, Ontario, October 26, 2012 – In support of Child Abuse Prevention Month and Foster Parent Appreciation Week in Ontario, Loyalist College was pleased to host the Crown Ward Education Championship Conference today on campus. The theme of the event, Dare …Dream …Do … Exploring Options for Post-Secondary Education, focused on assisting youth in care to discover the possibilities available to them through higher education. Many of the 150 attendees were youth with current or former crown ward status, as well as foster parents and child and youth workers.
“It’s wonderful to be able to bring together so many people from across Eastern Ontario who are committed to providing resources that meet these students’ needs and improve their access to post-secondary education,” said Loyalist President Maureen Piercy.
Loyalist Student Success Director Catherine O’Rourke added, “In response to the provincial government’s Crown Ward Education initiative in 2005, Loyalist introduced a Student Success Services support model for Crown Wards that has been helping them to succeed through mentorship, peer support, motivation, and guidance.”
The annual one-day conference was organized by the Crown Ward Education Championship Team, comprised of the Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington; Highland Shores Children’s Aid; Prince Edward Children’s Aid Society; Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board; the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board; the Limestone District School Board; Loyalist College; St. Lawrence College; University of Ottawa; Queen’s University; and local youth employment service organizations. The Ministries of Education; Children and Youth Services; and Training, Colleges and Universities joined together to financially support the event.
“When I took the College Prep program at Loyalist, I was only 17 years old and in foster care,” said 19-year old Loyalist Child and Youth Worker student Katelyn Cowx who was a speaker on the youth panel. “The teachers were amazing. They were willing to spend as much time with me as I needed and I also had my own personal tutor. I went from being unhappy to having positive relationships and knowing there were people who care about me. When I finish my diploma, my goal is to become a Parent Therapist and run my own foster home. I want to help others who are in a negative situation to focus on the positive, have goals and make the most of all of the opportunities available to them.”
One of the keynote speakers was Loyalist Broadcast Journalism graduate Orlena Cain who is a morning show host on radio station Mix 97 and on-air host for The Shopping Channel. A speaker and advocate for child abuse prevention, Orlena has shared her personal story of abuse through a provincial Children’s Aid Society campaign, helping to build awareness. During the conference, an artistic display of 16 inspirational banners was unveiled, titled Our Hope for Children.
“The post-secondary educational and training opportunities available to youth in care are not always immediately apparent, or easily accessible to them,” said Mehroon Kassam, Chair of the Crown Ward Education Championship Team. “Their unique challenges and struggles are significantly greater than those of an average teen or youth and this often creates what seem to be insurmountable obstacles on their path to success. We are confident, however, that through the post-secondary convention and with the accompanying supports of the local community and the Government of Ontario, our youth will be inspired to move with confidence toward post-secondary education and a brighter future.”
Loyalist College prepares students for a rewarding career by combining rigorous academic standards with hands-on training from industry experts. Programs range from apprenticeships and certificates to diplomas and post-graduate studies. Loyalist offers more than 60 full-time programs and 77 university transfer agreements around the world. The best testament to the College’s value is from students, 97 percent of whom say they would recommend Loyalist to a friend. Loyalist is committed to helping students find great jobs, as well as supporting and enhancing the economic and social development of all individuals in its communities.
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Media contact: Kerry Lorimer, Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536