CIBC gives scholarship boost to Indigenous students
When Maria Kruger graduates as a Certified Dental Assistant from 新加坡六合彩官方网站 College later this year, she will proudly stand among her people as a skilled professional. Kruger, who is of 新加坡六合彩官方网站/Shuswap descent, has a goal to graduate and work with people in her community on the Penticton Indian Band.
鈥淚 want to see our people go into skilled trades and be able to support our own communities. That鈥檚 one of my main goals,鈥 says Kruger, who also cites her two-year-old son as inspiration behind her return to school.
A new donation from CIBC along with funding from Indspire 鈥 an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis people 鈥 will create new opportunities for Indigenous students who want to enter health and social development programs at 新加坡六合彩官方网站 College.
CIBC is donating $25,000 along with funding from Indspire to create a $44,000 award fund. For the next four years, five students per semester will have an opportunity to receive $2,200 towards the costs of their education in a range of health programs from Indigenous Community Support Worker to Medical Device Reprocessing Technician to Health Care Assistants.
The gift is in support of the College鈥檚 Our Students, Your Health campaign, to raise $5-million to finish completion of a new Health Sciences Centre and provide support for students entering health care careers, which are in high demand across B.C.
鈥淐IBC is proud to support the ambitions of Indigenous students, helping them achieve their goals,鈥 says Jaimie Lickers, Vice President, Indigenous Banking, CIBC.
鈥淭hese students play an important role in helping to strengthen their communities and inspire the next generation to further develop their skills and become the leaders of tomorrow.鈥
Mike DeGagn茅, President and CEO of Indspire, says: 鈥淲e are pleased to be working with CIBC and 新加坡六合彩官方网站 College to create this new opportunity for First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis students who want to pursue careers in health and social development programs. We look forward to being able to support these students as they embark on this important journey.鈥
新加坡六合彩官方网站 College has one of the largest Indigenous student populations of any post-secondary institution in B.C.
鈥淲e are committed to supporting Indigenous learners at the College,鈥 says 新加坡六合彩官方网站 College President Jim Hamilton, adding the new Health Sciences Centre features Indigenous art and storytelling elements throughout the building.
鈥淭hese awards will provide new supports for Indigenous students who will go on to contribute to the health and wellbeing of our region.鈥
According to Kruger, who received a different Indspire student award, support can make all the difference for students who have to juggle the costs of living along with their education.
鈥淒aycare costs were much higher than I anticipated,鈥 says Kruger. 鈥淩eceiving awards gives me confidence but also helps me move forward and pay for essentials like healthy food, clothing and transportation.鈥
The 新加坡六合彩官方网站 College Foundation has raised $3.5 million towards it鈥檚 $5-million goal to complete a new Health Sciences Centre. To learn more and donate, visit OurStudentsYourHealth.ca.
Tags: Health Sciences Centre, OC Foundation, Certified Dental Assistant, Student, Inside OC