May 11, 2023, Burlington, Ontario

The Halton Catholic Children’s Foundation (HCCF) is thrilled to announce a substantial increase to our Graduate Award bursary program with the creation of a new HCCF Elementary School Graduate Award.

Starting this June, the HCCF will award $4600 in bursaries to Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) graduating elementary students. For the past two years, we have recognized student graduates at the secondary level, awarding $15,000 to date to student pursuing post-secondary education. With the creation of our elementary school graduate bursary, we look forward to celebrating the achievements of HCDSB graduates at both the Elementary and Secondary levels.

The HCCF Elementary School Graduate Award bursary was one of many exciting new initiatives passed in the 2023-2024 HCCF Budget last month, and helps support our three-year strategic plan goal of doubling the number of students being helped by 2024.

The Halton Catholic Children’s Foundation will award one, $100 bursary, to a graduating student from each of the 46 HCDSB elementary schools. HCCF Elementary School Graduate Award recipients will also receive a $200 McCarthy Uniform voucher, generously donated by Martin McCarthy, to assist the student with the costs associated with the transition to secondary school (for a total value of $9200 (in uniform vouchers)). Each school will select 1 graduating student who: excels in the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations, and is continuing their educational journey.

The HCCF Board of Directors is also pleased to announce that we will be increasing the number of Halton Catholic Children’s Foundation Graduate Award, offered to our secondary school graduates again this year – for a second year in a row!

This June, the HCCF will offer $15,000 in bursaries to graduates from secondary school, giving three $500 Awards to graduating students from each HCDSB secondary school and the Thomas Merton Centre for Adult and Continuing Education, who are entering post-secondary education. Each school will select 3 graduating students who: excel in the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations, are entering post-secondary education, including the trades, certificate or community programs, college, or university, and demonstrate a financial need to pursue post-secondary education.

“On behalf of the HCCF Board of Directors, we are excited to expand our Graduate Award bursary program with the launch of the Halton Catholic Children’s Foundation (HCCF) Elementary School Graduate Award this spring,” says James McInnis, HCCF Chair and Interim Executive Director. “Through our student bursary program, we continue to increase the number of students that we support financially each year, including our graduating students, in the elementary, secondary and Adult and Continuing Education panels- supporting our graduates as they pursue post-secondary education opportunities. We look forward to recognizing the successful recipients of the HCCF Graduate Award in June and wish these candidates all the best with their future endeavors.”

For more information about HCCF, to make an online donation, or to find other ways to give to HCCF, please visit www.hccf.ca

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About Halton Catholic Children’s Foundation (HCCF)

The Halton Catholic Children’s Foundation (HCCF) is an independent charity that has partnered with the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) to support their students and families in need. HCCF raises funds to help HCDSB students overcome financial barriers to learning, which helps these students succeed in school.

We raise funds to help cover costs for:

• Basic necessities, such as food and clothing, school supplies, shoes, eyeglasses, personal hygiene items, and learning technology
• School activities with a fee, such as school trips, team fees, and other learning materials

Visit our website: www.hccf.ca