ECF Community Scholarship

Last Updated (Wednesday, 28 September 2011 17:36) Written by Andrew Paul Wednesday, 28 September 2011 16:59

YES_brad_044-CMYK success stories

Brad Pickford is committed to a career in the non-profit sector.  After working for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society (YESS) first as front line worker, supervisor and now a mid-manager, he decided to go back to school to complete a bachelor degree - an accomplishment he hopes will improve his career path and allow him to move into a more senior position.

As he began to research possible awards and scholarships to offset the cost of a university education he quickly realized that funding options for prospective students who also work full time are rare.  With a wife and young child, Brad was not in a position to give up his job. 

Despite the financial obstacle, Brad decided to take the plunge, so he took out a student line of credit and enrolled in Grant MacEwan University's Bachelor of Child & Youth Care program.

He did find one important award program to apply for - ECF's Community Scholarships.  "It was so meaningful when I heard I was awarded a scholarship from ECF," said Brad. "The program was very flexible in its assessment of financial need -realizing you can be in need even if you have a job."   The scholarship doesn't cover all of Brad's costs, but certainly helps decrease his debt load.

YESS is very supportive of his return to school, allowing him some time off to get to class. With a diploma of child & youth care that he completed 10 years ago, he only has two years to go to complete the bachelor program.   It could be a long two years, he admits, but he hopes it will be worth it. "I'm challenging myself every day, and I'm learning new approaches, theories and best practices in my field and creative ways to respond to the changing needs of the kids."

The education will not only benefit Brad but also the non-profit organization that employs him.

Community Scholarships

Edmonton Community Foundation recognized that the non-profit sector faces real human resources challenges and so it established the Community Scholarships to help connect individuals involved in community work with access to skills development they need to contribute to the non-profit sector.  The scholarships are awarded to help students with the costs of post-secondary education and to address emerging community priorities.

< Prev   Next >