AWARDS

OACAS manages award programs for youth in care, Crown wards or former Crown wards:

• Clark Bursary (Multi-year up to 4 years, $3,500 per year) *subject to change accordingly to OSAP funding changes and restrictions.
• Clark Grant (One-time $1,000)

The Clark Awards were established in 1989 through generous donations by Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia to assist youth in achieving their academic and career goals.   Over the years, the Clark Awards have expanded and include three options: multi-year bursaries, single-year grants, and one-time graduation awards.

Applications open starting February 14th, 2017 until April 28th, 2017!

Who can apply?

• Awards are for youth in care, Crown Wards or Former Crown Wards of Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) in Ontario.  (Confirmed by a CAS Worker)
• Attending full-time post-secondary studies at a OSAP verified institution.
• Youth aged 21 years or older who are former Crown Wards may apply independently (one application per award)
• Youth aged under 21 years old must be nominated by their worker and local Children’s Aid Society (Each Children’s Aid Society (CAS) agency can make ONLY ONE nomination per award, for a total of two different youth nominations)

You will need:

• Confirmation of your Crown Ward status by a CAS worker.
• One general reference letter.
• Apply to Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) before the beginning of your semester.

How to apply:

1. Review the Program Policiesand check eligibility to ensure you meet the criteria (former crown ward of Children’s Aid Society).
2. Complete the online application

• As an additional resource to help expedite the selection process, here is a WORD document version of the online survey so you can have an overview of the whole application.  PLEASE NOTE: this resource is only to support your selection process.  Nominations must still be submitted online.

Highlights of Changes for 2017:

• Discontinued the Children’s Aid Foundation / PHD scholarship award
• Changing the eligibility to allow youth 21 years and over to qualify
• Allowing youth 21 years and over to apply independently of their agency (although ideally the CAS would be involved and supportive)
• Requiring that youth apply for Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP)
• Clark Bursary award funding is subject to change reflecting the modifications to OSAP funding and grants received by the recipient
• Award recipients are to attend a Financial Literacy coaching webinar

AWARDS BACKGROUND:

Clark Awards

The Clark Bursary Fund was established in 1989 through a generous donation by Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia. It was created to assist youth in care and former wards to achieve their academic and career goals.

The Clark Bursary Awards are multi-year awards offered to young people who are pursuing post-secondary educational, employment or skills development programs and require financial assistance.  CASs may identify one nominee per agency for this multi-year award.  In 2017, the Clarks will support 25 youth with this generous award.  Bursary recipients will receive $3,500 annually for up to four years of post-secondary programming (one nominee per agency).

The Clark Grants are 20 one-time grants of $1,000 offered to young people who are pursuing post-secondary educational, employment or skills development programs and require financial assistance.  The grant is available for tuition, equipment, tools or other requirements to be used towards this training or professional development (one nominee per agency).

If you have any question regarding OACAS Youth Awards Scholarships, please contact awards@oacas.org

May 31, 2016

Investment to Help Young People who are Homeless

Ontario is providing up to $1.5 million over three years for a mental health support crisis services centre in downtown Toronto for LGBTQ2S youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Premier Kathleen Wynne announced this major investment today in Toronto. The drop-in centre, run by Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, provides an array of mental health and other services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirited (LGBTQ2S) young people. These services include crisis intervention, mental health and addictions counselling, referrals to housing, and other community supports and culturally sensitive services for Indigenous youth.

The investment will help deliver on Ontario’s priority to target youth homelessness, as well as its plan to end chronic homelessness in 10 years. LGBTQ2S youth experience far higher rates of homelessness than other young people. The government’s Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness reported that LGBTQ2S youth often avoid seeking help from services for homeless people because of concerns about homophobia and transphobia.

Providing support for homeless youth is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ont

QUICK FACTS

• LGBTQ2S youth make up 25 to 40 per cent of homeless youth, far higher than their five to 10 per cent share of the youth population.
• Many LGBTQ2S youth face violence and harassment in schools, families and communities that contributes to much higher rates of abuse, addiction, suicide, and poor mental and physical health than among other young people.

Egale Canada Human Rights Trust, founded in 1995, is Canada’s only national charity promoting LGBTQ2S human rights through research, education and community engagement.arians achieve a more secure retirement.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• A Place to Call Home: Report of the Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness
• Ontario’s Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy
• Open Minds, Healthy Minds: Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy

QUOTES

“The rate of homelessness among LGBTQ2S youth is unacceptable. Our government is proud to support Egale Canada’s groundbreaking project. This mental health support crisis centre offers an accepting and welcoming place to get the kind of help that can make a profound difference in young people’s lives.”  — Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario

YouthCAN Annual Conference

The 9th Annual YouthCAN Conference, Gear up for Success!  For the second year in a row, the conference will be held in conjunction with Humber College’s YEAH program (Youth Enrichment at Humber).

The conference goal is to expose high school youth in care to post-secondary options and career opportunities.  This year’s YouthCAN Conference aims to develop leaders, build character, and provide a platform to Gear up for Success in communication, advocacy, and networking opportunities.

The YouthCAN team, in conjunction with the conference planning committee made up of CAS youth and staff from across the province, have worked hard to ensure that this year’s conference will have something for everyone!

View Conference Program
Facebook Page

Monday Schedule | Tuesday Schedule | Wednesday Schedule

Some highlights of Gear up for Success conference include:

• The Youth Alumni Panel:  Former youth in care will share tips about high school, transitioning out of care, independent living, entering post-secondary and starting their careers!
• The Professional Panel:  Successful industry professionals share their personal and career journeys.  Their career path consisted of several challenges and barriers that they’ve had to overcome to reach where they are today!
• Interactive program sessions for youth on career planning, post-secondary life, animation, photography, health and the environment.
• Various leadership, team and skill building activities (icebreakers, amazing race, and circuit challenges).
• CAS staff will have their own mini-conference with time to network, discuss CAS hot topic issues, CAS agency showcase, zone planning, and presentations.
• True post-secondary life experience through staying at Humber College’s modern North campus
• Lunch time “Exhibition Fair” with 15+ community organizations.
• Option to watch National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball game.
• Access to unlimited photo prints with fun Photobooth
• Your own YouthCAN T-shirt along with various fun SWAG materials.
• YouthCAN Talent Open Showcase:   Everyone is welcome to showcase whatever talents they have on stage.  Ex. Singing, dancing, poetry, playing instruments, comedy skits, etc.
• YouthCAN Art Showcase:  bring your personal arts and crafts you want to share with us!
• YouthCAN dance
• Prizes to be won for both youth and staff

Previous Annual Conferences

Click here for more information about previous conferences, the conference programs, and conference posters.

OACAS manages three awards programs for youth from Children’s Aid Society care:

• Clark Bursary ($3,500 per year for up to 4 years maximum)  *25 awards per year
• Clark Grant ($1,000 one-time) *20 awards per year
• RONA/PHD Scholarships ($3,000 one-time) *14 awards per year (subject to funding)

APPLICATIONS OPEN starting January 14th 2015.   DUE BY February 28th 2015.

2015 Policies and Procedures

Who can apply?

• Youth aged 21 years or older
• Awards are for youth in care, Crown Wards or Former Crown Wards of Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) in Ontario.  (Confirmed by a CAS Worker)
• Attending full-time post-secondary studies at a OSAP verified institution.

You will need:

• Confirmation of your Crown Ward status by a CAS worker.
• Complete the application.
• One general reference letter.
• Apply to Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) before the beginning of your semester.

How to apply:

To apply, download one of the two forms below and follow the instructions within the application.

i.  Application for Youth over 21 years of age applying independently.

ii. Application for Children’s Aid Society nominations on behalf of youth under 21 years of age.

iii. French Application

Clark Awards

The Clark Bursary Fund was established in 1989 through a generous donation by Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia. It was created to assist youth in care and former wards to achieve their academic and career goals.

• In 1989, there were five bursaries of $250 awarded to young people in care.
• In 1995, Ron and Nancy began contributing yearly to ensure 20 bursaries were available each year to deserving young people.
• In 2000, they introduced the one-time Clark Grant of $1,000 to youth in care and former youth in care pursuing educational, employment or skills development programs.
• In 2007, the Clark’s benevolence continued with the introduction of the Clark Graduation Award, a gift of $1,000 for Clark Bursary recipients completing their post-secondary studies and a generous graduation present from the Clarks.
• In 2009, 20 new bursaries and 20 grants were awarded.
• In 2013, 25 new bursaries will be awarded to align with the annual amount of the award with the OSAP, resulting in a maximum award of $3,500 for all students.

The Clark Bursary Award is available to youth in care and former wards pursuing post-secondary education. Students attending post-secondary education will receive $3,500 per year for up to four years . Upon completion of their studies, Clark Bursary recipients are eligible to receive the Clark Graduation award — a monetary gift of $1,000.
The Clark Grants Award is a one-time grant of $1,000 offered to young people who are pursuing educational, employment or skills development programs and require financial assistance. The grant is available for tuition, equipment, tools or other requirements.
Nominations for the Clark Bursary and Grant can be submitted by a Children’s Aid Society or independently by youth who are over 21 years old. The nominees are the selected candidates from their agency and will have secured a personal reference to support their application. An agency may nominate one youth for the bursary and one youth for the grant.

Childrens Aid Foundation Scholarships

In partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation (CAF), select RONA Home and Garden stores across Ontario collaborate each year to raise funds through the sale of JJ teddy bears. As a result of their fundraising efforts, these funds are provided to help youth in care and former youth in care pursue post-secondary education. In 2012, due to the continued generosity of RONA Home and Garden stores, OACAS is pleased to announce that one-time scholarships of $3,000 are available for youth in care and former youth in care pursuing post-secondary education.

PHD Canada Scholarship

OACAS has the privilege of honouring another one of its proud supporters with a scholarship under their name. Last year PHD Canada supported 7 students with one-time grants of $3000.

In January 2007, media buying company, PHD Canada (PHD), accepted OACAS as a pro-bono account. OACAS partnered with PHD to market the redeveloped Child Abuse Prevention Campaign in 2007 and 2008. In 2009, PHD continued their relationship with OACAS and launched the Public Engagement Campaign for Children’s Aid Societies in January 2010. In 2011, PHD raised money with their Big Hug Charity Day. In addition to providing their services pro-bono, PHD has hosted an annual golf tournament with proceeds supporting OACAS and children and youth in care.

If you have any question regarding OACAS Youth Awards Scholarships, please contact  Brian Van-Du at  awards@oacas.org or 416-987-5703.