Toronto Community Housing Corporation introduces Scholarships for Students planning to go to College or University

BY PAUL JUNOR

The availability of scholarships sponsored by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) will help residents interested in furthering their studies at college or university. The Investing in Our Diversity Scholarship (IIOD) Program will provide up to $4,000 to qualified students to help them defray their educational expenses. It will cover students’ first year expenses whether they decide to attend college, university, trade school or apprenticeship. In order to receive the IIOD scholarships, students must be:

• Youth who are attending postsecondary school in September 2022/Januart 2023
• 29 years old or younger (as of May 31, 2022)
• Not previous recipient of the IIOD Scholarship
• Toronto Community Housing tenants or a person living in the Scadding Court Center (SCCC) catchment area (Lake Ontario to the south, Bloor Street to the north, Yonge St. to the east, and Lansdowne Ave. to the west)
• Entering first year of postsecondary school
• Able to demonstrate a need for financial assistance
• Canadian citizen or permanent resident

The promotional material advertising the 2021 IIOD scholarship recipients can be seen at the website: www.torontohousing.ca. The late Bill McMurty, Founding Partner, Blaney McMurty LLP, and Kevin Lee, Former Executive Director of Scadding Court Community Centre founded it in 2001. It was in 2006 that TCHC became part of it. There have been 49 scholarships offered since 2001 to students who attend fifteen different colleges or universities not just in Ontario, Canada but the United States as well.

Jeff Sharma, President and Chief Executive Officer of the TCHC states in his congratulation to the 2021 recipients, “Everyone involved in this program is proud to support you in pursuing your educational and career goals. We know that the hardest work is yours: taking time from your studies and part-time job to volunteer and mentor youth in your communities, start support programs and encourage others through your leadership to stand up against racism and promote equity, diversity and fairness.”

In addition to the financial value of the scholarships, there are three additional benefits to the recipients:

• One-on-one counselling to assist with resume writing, job searching
• Employment services offered through St. Stephen’s Community House Employment and Training Centre and Toronto Youth Employment Services
• Assistance with looking for and getting a job

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 18^th, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. An information session will be held on Wednesday, February 16^th, 2022.  It is important that, ”Each recipient must have made a strong contribution to their communities in promoting diversity, equity and anti-racism dialogue.”

Any student interested can check the TCHC’s website:

https://www.torontohousing,ca or email youth@torontohousing.ca or call 647-456-9390.