The Joyce Family Foundation has generously donated $1.5 million to support students who face barriers to education. The donation will be used to create 10 annual bursaries for youth in care and for vulnerable students at RRC Polytech.

An announcement to celebrate the gift was made at the College’s Child and Youth Care program graduation today. Graduates of this program (like those shown above) support and inspire children, youth and families, and often find employment in treatment homes, mental health and justice facilities, schools and community-based programs.

“The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary creates the largest fund for student aid at the College and more than doubles RRC Polytech’s ability to support financially vulnerable students pursuing post-secondary educations,” says College president Fred Meier.

“We thank The Joyce Family Foundation for recognizing this need and removing financial stress, allowing students to focus on their studies.”

The fund will provide bursaries of up to $5,000 for 10 students per year. Each successful applicant will be assigned an academic coach, who will work with them throughout their studies to ensure their success in the program.

In Manitoba, there are currently more than 9,800 youth in care, 91 per cent of whom are Indigenous. Less than five per cent of youth in care pursue post-secondary education.

The Joyce Family Foundation Bursary doubles the number of RRC Polytech bursaries available, from nine to 19.

“This gift showcases the Board’s dedication to youth and their aspirations to become confident, independent contributors to society,” says Maureen O’Neill, Executive Director, Joyce Family Foundation.

“Ron Joyce believed that education had the power to open doors and this gift allows students to develop their unique interests and talents by starting and completing their program at RRC Polytech.”

RRC Polytech is a partner of the Manitoba Scholarship Bursary Initiative, where the provincial government matches private donations at a 1:2 ratio and in turn provides an additional 50 per cent in bursaries.

“The Manitoba government applauds the Joyce Family Foundation for their generous support of youth in care at RRC Polytech,” says Advanced Education and Training Minister Sarah Guillemard. “With the Manitoba Scholarship Bursary Initiative, our government will contribute an additional 50 percent to the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary, to help further remove financial stress for students.”

The Joyce Family Foundation is a private family foundation created by Canadian entrepreneur Ronald V. Joyce, who was best known for investing in the first Tim Horton’s in 1964.

The foundation works to build a legacy for the future — through ongoing leadership and innovative partnerships — by promoting improved and meaningful social, economic and emotional engagement for young Canadians.

With this gift, the RRC Polytech Comprehensive Campaign has reached $38 million of its $60-million goal. To join the movement that will transform RRC Polytech into a greater force for economic and social change in Manitoba, and position the College to face the future head-on, visit rrc.ca/fundraising.