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BC Housing awards help Courtenay residents

Two Courtenay residents are recipients of BC Housing Education Awards

Two Courtenay residents are recipients of BC Housing Education Awards to help them further their education, achieve their goals and improve their lives.

For Courtenay resident Sarah Corrigall, her $750 BC Housing Bursary Award will help the single mother as she works towards her bachelor of business administration with an accounting major at North Island College.

"After the birth of my daughter, I decided I wanted to be a good role model for her growing up and set a good example. But most of all, I wanted to be able to provide her with a safe and healthy place to live, and working for $10 an hour was not going to help me achieve those things," explained Corrigall.

"Even though I struggle to make ends meet right now, I know that all this hard work will pay off in the end."

The other Courtenay award recipient is Jennifer Renard, who won a Minerva Foundation Award.

There are five $1,000 Minerva Awards to help aboriginal women pursue full-time, post-secondary education. This award is designed to help single mothers advance their education, assist women with children fleeing abusive relationships, retrain mature women returning to the workforce, advance women in non-traditional fields of study and support women with disabilities to overcome educational barriers.

"Having been a teacher myself, I know just how important a good

education is," said Don McRae, minister of agriculture and MLA for the Comox Valley. "These students have demonstrated a true commitment to their post-secondary pursuits, and our government is proud to recognize their dedication."

Anyone in British Columbia who is living in subsidized housing or

receiving rent subsidies through BC Housing's Rental Assistance Program is eligible to apply for the 98 bursaries and awards. The funds can be put towards tuition or other educational expenses such as books or supplies.

Applicants submitted a personal statement describing their educational and personal goals and challenges they have overcome, as well as letters of reference and academic transcripts.

Over the last decade, the Province has invested $2.8 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 95,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

Visit www.bchousing.org to learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness.

— Rich Coleman (minister responsible for housing)