Madison Community Services announces education partnership with Equitable Trust

New bursary will provide educational opportunities for individuals with mental health challenges

TORONTO, April 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Madison Community Services, a registered charity promoting the health, recovery and community integration of individuals with mental health challenges is pleased to announce the creation of the Equitable Trust (ETC) Madison Education Bursary.  The Bursary directly supports individuals living with addiction and mental illness to pursue a form of formal education or life skills development to foster independence.

The ETC Madison Education Bursary of $15,000 is adjudicated by Madison Community Services and approved by the Board and Equitable Trust.  The funds are allocated to multiple applicants based on their financial needs to cover costs ranging from tuition for trade programs, college or university, registration fees, or completion of high school equivalency programs.  In addition, the fund can be directed towards related text book or material costs, technology as well as transportation and tutoring.  The application process incorporates the applicants experience living with mental health and their motivation to further their education to positively impact their lives.  The first round of bursaries have been awarded to Joan Solomon, Steve Horton, Adrienne Magennis, Xinia Rodriguez and Nicholas Longinos to further their personal goals that include:

• Life skills training at the Sewing Studio of Toronto.
• Health and wellness coping mechanisms through the use of yoga at Yoga Fit Canada while gaining confidence, identity and planning for a future.
• Courses in writing at Humber College and George Brown allowing the client to express and write about their life experiences in a novel.
• Study addictions at Centennial College for her personal recovery process as the client increases her awareness and learns new techniques in coping.
• Obtain university credit in sociology at University of Toronto to enrich and stimulate the client to complete their degree.

"Equitable Trust is a long-time partner and over the years, the organization and their employees have volunteered their time to transform the lives of our residents at three of our properties in need of repair.  They are now going a step further to ensure our clients' overall well-being by supporting efforts to become more independent and to reduce their social isolation and social stigma by offering bursaries to reach their personal goals," said Kamalesh Visavadia, Executive Director, Madison Community Services.

"As a socially responsibility organization, it's a core value for Equitable Trust to interact with vulnerable people with common interest to create a better environment in which to live. Even if we can make a difference by helping one person at a time, that difference will impact many in the long run," said Andrew Moor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Equitable Trust.

Founded in 1970, Equitable Trust is a federally incorporate trust company whose primary business is first charge mortgage financing.  The Company actively originates mortgages across Canada.  It serves single family, small and large commercial borrowers and their mortgage advisors.  It also serves the investing public as a provider of insured Guaranteed Investment Certificates.  Equitable Trust provides GICs across all Canadian provinces and territories.

Photo Opportunity on Monday, April 15

Where:	30 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 700 (Equitable Trust Head Office)
Time:	1:00 pm.
Who:	Andrew Moor, President and CEO and Kamalesh Visavadia, Executive Director, Madison Community Services to present ETC Madison Education Bursary to 2013 recipients

 

SOURCE: Madison Community Services

Kamalesh Visavadia [phone] extension 500