Camosun College Launches Appeal to Provide Emergency Financial Assistance for Students
The Camosun College community is rallying, and encouraging others, to get behind students facing significant economic challenges as full-time and part-time work disappears for them and their families.
“As global concerns surrounding COVID-19 continue to grow, many Camosun students are experiencing serious financial difficulties with day-to-day living expenses, like groceries and basic essentials,” says Camosun College President Sherri Bell. “My heartfelt thanks to the Student Society, the Faculty Association and all our supporters for their generosity. More, now than ever, our students need your help.”
In response, the college community including staff, the Camosun College Student Society (CCSS), Camosun College Faculty Association (CCFA) and local donors have worked quickly to create an emergency assistance fund through the Camosun College Foundation to help students in urgent need, the Erasing Barriers bursary fund.
“The Camosun College Student Society believes it is important to maintain one point of contact for students requiring help and has been collaborating with Camosun College in providing assistance to students,” says Fillette Umulisa. “To date, the CCSS has donated over $30,000 of the money now being distributed to students in crisis and will continue to work with the college to provide further assistance.”
“The Faculty Association is pleased to support the Erasing Barriers campaign and provide students in need with emergency bursaries,” says Chris Ayles, President of the CCFA. “As a group, we decided to contribute all of this year’s charitable donations budget and hope to inspire others to follow suit.”
Those interested in helping students can donate to the fund by visiting the Camosun College Foundation website camosun.ca/foundation and choosing “Erasing Barriers Student Emergency Fund.”
If donors wish to talk to Camosun’s fundraising team directly, please contact: foundation@camosun.ca or call: 250-370-4233.
The Camosun College Foundation created the Erasing Barriers bursary last year to help students facing immediate financial challenges.