Providence to provide educational support to youth who age out of care
Providence University College is the latest Manitoba school to provide educational support to youth who have aged out of Child and Family Services.
The school, located in Otterburne, has joined the Futures Forward program, which provides support to youth who are transitioning out of CFS.
Youth who want to pursue post-secondary studies receive free tuition at 11 colleges and universities in the province, including other faith-based schools such as Canadian Mennonite University and Booth University College.
Providence University College has joined the Futures Forward program, which provides support to youth transitioning out of CFS. (Supplied)
Futures Forward is a non-profit that is supported by Youth Employment Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association and Community Financial Counselling Services with funding from the Manitoba government.
Holly Ammerman, the financial aid administrator at Providence who helped the school become involved in Futures Forward, said seeing that school join the program is rewarding both professionally and personally.
'My family fostered when I was young,' she said. 'It was an impactful part of my childhood. Through it, I came to realize how challenging it can be for youth to transition out of CFS.'
For Ammerman, Providence joining the program is 'a full circle moment for me.' Through it, she can be part of giving another gift to a young person 'like my family did when I was a child.'
Providence will provide one student transitioning out of CFS with free tuition for four years of studies. Funding for the tuition will come from fundraising.
The value of the tuition is between $12,000 to $15,000 a year, depending on the course selected by the recipient, who will start studies in September. The recipient will also have access to student services for assistance, as needed.
'God laid it on my heart that we should be involved in Futures Forward,' Ammerman said. 'I'm excited for what Providence can offer someone transitioning out of CFS.'
Evan Forest is the outreach co-ordinator for Futures Forward. 'We are excited to have Providence join the program,' he said, adding that 36 youth graduated from post-secondary schools in Manitoba through the program last year.
The goal is to help youth leaving care get support for education and employment, he added, noting that the program has been running for 14 years.
'We want to help them transition to independent living by accessing resources, including higher education,' Forest said.
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In addition to the tuition support, youth involved in the program can get help making a budget, writing a resume, doing job interviews, getting clothes for interviews and purchasing computers.
Students also get support from the province for textbooks, bus passes and living support, he said.
'We want them to know they have a person in their corner, someone on their team,' Forest said, adding that about two-thirds of former CFS youth experience homelessness at some point in their lives.
In 2023-24, 159 youth received free tuition through the program.
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Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Providence to provide educational support to youth who age out of care
Providence University College is the latest Manitoba school to provide educational support to youth who have aged out of Child and Family Services. The school, located in Otterburne, has joined the Futures Forward program, which provides support to youth who are transitioning out of CFS. Youth who want to pursue post-secondary studies receive free tuition at 11 colleges and universities in the province, including other faith-based schools such as Canadian Mennonite University and Booth University College. Providence University College has joined the Futures Forward program, which provides support to youth transitioning out of CFS. (Supplied) Futures Forward is a non-profit that is supported by Youth Employment Services, the Canadian Mental Health Association and Community Financial Counselling Services with funding from the Manitoba government. Holly Ammerman, the financial aid administrator at Providence who helped the school become involved in Futures Forward, said seeing that school join the program is rewarding both professionally and personally. 'My family fostered when I was young,' she said. 'It was an impactful part of my childhood. Through it, I came to realize how challenging it can be for youth to transition out of CFS.' For Ammerman, Providence joining the program is 'a full circle moment for me.' Through it, she can be part of giving another gift to a young person 'like my family did when I was a child.' Providence will provide one student transitioning out of CFS with free tuition for four years of studies. Funding for the tuition will come from fundraising. The value of the tuition is between $12,000 to $15,000 a year, depending on the course selected by the recipient, who will start studies in September. The recipient will also have access to student services for assistance, as needed. 'God laid it on my heart that we should be involved in Futures Forward,' Ammerman said. 'I'm excited for what Providence can offer someone transitioning out of CFS.' Evan Forest is the outreach co-ordinator for Futures Forward. 'We are excited to have Providence join the program,' he said, adding that 36 youth graduated from post-secondary schools in Manitoba through the program last year. The goal is to help youth leaving care get support for education and employment, he added, noting that the program has been running for 14 years. 'We want to help them transition to independent living by accessing resources, including higher education,' Forest said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. In addition to the tuition support, youth involved in the program can get help making a budget, writing a resume, doing job interviews, getting clothes for interviews and purchasing computers. Students also get support from the province for textbooks, bus passes and living support, he said. 'We want them to know they have a person in their corner, someone on their team,' Forest said, adding that about two-thirds of former CFS youth experience homelessness at some point in their lives. In 2023-24, 159 youth received free tuition through the program. faith@ The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba. If you appreciate that coverage, help us do more! Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow us to deepen our reporting about faith in the province. Thanks! BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER John LonghurstFaith reporter John Longhurst has been writing for Winnipeg's faith pages since 2003. He also writes for Religion News Service in the U.S., and blogs about the media, marketing and communications at Making the News. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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