Funding for students with disabilities

Business Advisory Council Award of Distinction

The Business Advisory Council Bursary was established in 2006 to support students enrolled in the Opportunities Enabled Program (OEP). It was awarded annually to graduates who were continuing their post-secondary studies until cancellation of the OEP in 2008. Recognizing a need for assistance, the Business Advisory Council agreed to support Vocational Education and Skills Training, or VEST (formerly Adult Special Education), graduates who have barriers to education - diagnosed or undiagnosed. The purpose of this fund is to aid VEST graduates with the transition between school and employment by assisting with related costs, such as, work attire, transportation to interview sites, etc.

Canadian Federation of University Women Award of Distinction

The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Award of Distinction was established in 2003. CFUW - Coquitlam applies annual to the Gaming Commission of BC to receive a grant through their Direct Access Funding. Funds obtained through that grant are used to support students at Douglas College.  Preference is given to students enrolled in the Career & Employment Preparation program with one award going to graduates of School District 43 and one to students with disabilities.

Norman J. Goode Award of Distinction

POLARIS Employment Services Society (POLARIS) established this award, in 2013, in recognition of Norman (Norm) J. Goode. Norm was a leader in establishing education, training and employment for job seekers who lived with the ever changing labels of developmental disability or intellectual disability (or mental handicap in an earlier era). As a volunteer with POLARIS Norm championed employment for all in the early 1980s before others saw the importance. POLARIS was the first competitive employment service in British Columbia established in 1977 and operated until 2012. Its purpose was to provide quality employment services to employers and to persons with a developmental disability. Employers were assisted to meet their business needs through the employment of persons with a developmental disability while job seekers would have the same opportunities as other citizens for employment consistent with their needs, interests and capabilities.

1992 BC Games for the Physically Disabled Award

Created from part of the legacy of the 1992 BC Games for the Physically Disabled held in Maple Ridge that year, this fund provides awards to students with physical disabilities, or those training to enter a field involving work with the physically challenged. Recipients must be B.C. residents and Canadian citizens. Preference will be given to residents of Pitt Meadows or Maple Ridge.

Carly Reid Memorial Award

The Carly Reid Memorial Award was created in 2006 in memory of Carly Reid by her family. Carly was a student in the Print Futures program at Douglas College and knew she had found her calling in writing. Carly gained compassion towards others with disabilities through the pain she faced while living with scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward students living with a disease or disability who demonstrate similar characteristics to Carly. In 2014, the Print Futures program became the Professional Communication Post-Degree Diploma (PDD) program and the fund details were updated to reflect this change. Preference will be given to students enrolled in either the Professional Communication PDD program or the Nursing program.

Sally Allan Memorial Award

The Sally Allan Memorial Award was established, in 2006, by her daughters and their families. The purpose is to support mature students, with demonstrated financial need, enrolled in English courses at Douglas College. A preference will be given to students with a disability.

Adult Special Education Bursary

The Adult Special Education Bursary was created in 2003 by Myrna Popove, former Executive Director of Douglas College Foundation, and Ted James, former Director of Student and Enrollment Services/Registrar. The purpose of this fund is to support students enrolled in any Vocational Education and Skills Training (previously Adult Special Education) program at Douglas College facing financial barriers.

Al Atkinson & Ted James Bursary

In 2004 the Al Atkinson Bursary was created, in honour of Al’s retirement from Douglas College. Al started at Douglas as an instructor in the Learning Assistance department and by the time he retired he was the VP of Educational Services. During his 32 years of service at Douglas Al championed the needs of students who were educationally disadvantaged, and as such, the bursary established in his name supported students engaged in Vocational Education and Skills Training, or VEST, (formerly known as Adult Special Education) programs. In 2014, the bursary was re-named to honour Al’s good friend and fellow former Douglas employee Ted James. Ted worked alongside Al for many years, both sharing a focus on providing assistance and motivation to students with special needs or barriers to employment. The Al Atkinson & Ted James Bursary continues to support VEST students in need at Douglas College.

BC Shopping Centre Association Bursary

The BC Shopping Centre Association created this bursary in 2009 to support students at Douglas College enrolled in either the Retail and Business Services.

Canadian Federation of University Women – Coquitlam Millennium Bursary

This bursary, established in 2000, recognizes and rewards students enrolled in any program within the Faculty of Child, Family & Community Studies who participate in volunteer activities within Douglas College or their community. Preference will be given to students in the Career & Employment Preparation program who are either residents of, or a past graduate from, School District No.43. Compass Group Canada Bursary Compass Group Canada has been a supporter of Douglas College Foundation since 1989. In 2011 the Compass Group Canada Services Bursary and the Compass Group Canada Arts Endowment were combined to form the Compass Group Canada Bursary in support of students enrolled full-time in the Basic Occupational Education program with preference to students in Food Services who have a physical or cognitive disability. As trendsetters in the industry, Compass takes pride in providing the highest quality food service to the Douglas College educational community.

Joan Meister ORW Memorial Fund for Students with Disabilities Bursary

The Joan Meister ORW Memorial Fund for Students with Disabilities Bursary was established in 2004 to recognize and reward students with disabilities enrolled at Douglas College. This would include not only students enrolled in a Vocational Education and Skills Training (VEST) program, but also, students with disabilities enrolled in any program that would support them in achieving their employment goals. In recognition of Joan Meister’s contributions’ to the women’s movement and women with disabilities, preference will be given to female students.

Starlight Casino Bursary

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited DBA Starlight Casino established this annual bursary to assist students in financial need who are enrolled in any Vocational Education and Skills Training, or VEST (formerly Adult Special Education) program at Douglas College. The bursary will be used to assist students who cannot afford basic necessities such as food, rent and course supplies. Starlight Casino and its employees are actively involved in New Westminster and the Metro Vancouver community. The casino has partnered with many local charities, and encourages staff to volunteer for the sheer joy of helping others, knowing that their actions improve quality of life for their employees, partners, and the community. Recipients can be identified by the Financial Aid Office and/or referred by their program administrator.

Association of Women in Finance Bursary

The Association of Women in Finance Bursary was originally established in 2008 as the Minerva Foundation Bursary for Women in Finance, to recognize and reward female students enrolled in any Finance program at Douglas College. In 2015, the Association for Women in Finance decided to create their own named fund with the similar purpose of supporting women in finance.

Auxiliary to Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children Bursary

The Auxiliary for the Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children established this fund to recognize the outstanding work in practicums by Douglas College students at the hospital. A student with a disability or training to work with disabled persons, and with satisfactory academic achievement, is eligible to apply.

Patricia Sanderson Bursary

The family of Patricia Sanderson established this fund in her memory to assist a disabled student from any Douglas College applied or academic program. The candidate should have satisfactory standing in work completed.