Oct. 26, 2011
Maple Ridge resident receives education award

MAPLE RIDGE - Maple Ridge resident Hailey Robinsmith has received a BC
Housing Education Award that will help her further her education, achieve
her goals and improve her life.

"The BC Housing Education Awards provide financial support for British
Columbians working towards their academic goals," said Rich Coleman,
Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing. "This
year's award recipients are creating opportunities for themselves and the
provincial government is proud to contribute to their future success."

"As a former teacher, I highly value the pursuit of education as a means
to improving quality of life," said Marc Dalton, MLA for Maple Ridge-
Mission. "I'm glad our government is able to provide these education
awards to help people like Hailey as she pursues a very ambitious degree
and career."

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.

For Hailey, the $750 bursary will help her pursue her love of learning at
Simon Fraser University, where she is majoring in international studies
with a minor in criminology. She plans to work in international law or
national security.

"Growing up in a single parent home, there is great financial need
concerning my tuition," Hailey said. "My mother has shown me the
importance of having an education and I hope to fulfil my dream of
attending university and using my degree to make a positive contribution
to my community."

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. The BC Housing Education Awards
Program offers five types of awards and bursaries:

* BC Housing Bursary - 72 bursaries, worth $750 each, to support youth or
adults between 17 and 64 to pursue adult basic education, vocational
education or post-secondary education on a full- or part-time basis.

* BC Housing Award for Full-Time Studies - 10 awards, worth $1,000 each,
to support youth or adults between 17 and 64 pursuing post-secondary or
vocational education on a full-time basis.

* Margaret Mitchell Outstanding Achievement Award - Margaret Mitchell was
a dedicated housing advocate and helped develop the BC Housing's Education
Awards Program. This $750 award recognizes a youth graduating from Grade
12 for excellence in academics, sports, the arts or community involvement
who will pursue education or vocational training on a full-time basis.

* Minerva Foundation Award for BC Women - There are five $1,000 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.

* The Kinloch Education Award for women - 10 awards at $1,000 each are
awarded to women who may have overcome significant barriers in their lives
which hindered their educational opportunities and who are now pursuing
post-secondary education on a full- or part-time basis.

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.

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