Fondation Desjardins hands out $62,250 as part of its bursaries program for
18-30 year olds

MONTREAL, March 15 /CNW Telbec/ - As part of its Bourse jeunesse Raymond-Blais program, Fondation Desjardins awarded 83 bursaries of $750 each, for a grand total of $62,250, to young people to reward them for demonstrating ambition in their quest to develop their skills.

The Fondation is particularly proud to be supporting 30 young people who opted for vocational and professional training as welders, electricians, elevator mechanics and avionics technicians.

The Fondation handed out 14 bursaries in the area of arts and culture. Among the winning projects supported by the Fondation were the production of a documentary play, participation in arts and crafts fairs, creation of special events, acrobatic dance performance, voice training at the Conservatoire de Montréal and a museology internship in Nunavik.

In the interest of subsidizing international experiences, 24 bursaries were given to young people who, for example, pursued a pastry-making course in France, went to discover Greece as a budding historian, participated in a conference about art history in Australia, went to the Parliament of the French Community of Belgium and did a nursing internship in Nicaragua. And one very special award for a young artist selected by the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Paris to have her paintings shown at the Carrousel du Louvre.

To highlight entrepreneurship in its many forms, Fondation Desjardins awarded eight bursaries for writing to assist children with disabilities, an actress to put together her portfolio, the creation of a ceramics studio and for a community housing plan to create access to affordable housing for young families. Two winners presented sports-related projects.

About Fondation Desjardins

As a component of Desjardins Group, the largest cooperative financial group in Canada, Fondation Desjardins fulfils its mission to provide educational support by distributing university scholarships and bursaries throughout Québec and Ontario for training, skills development and cooperative spirit. The foundation also hands out awards in recognition of volunteer activities and to support entrepreneurship and employment. In 2010, Fondation Desjardins will distribute nearly $750,000. In Québec, it is well known for distributing more university scholarships than any other private foundation. Since its inception 40 years ago, the foundation has given away over $11 million dollars to more than 9,000 young people to support education. To find out more, consult www.desjardins.com/en/fondation.

For further information: (for journalists only): Francine BlackBurn, Advisor, Media Relations, Desjardins Group, [phone], 1-866-866-7000, ext. 7275, [email protected]; Ingrid Chauvin, Communications and University Bursary Programs, Fondation Desjardins, [phone], ext. 7997, 1-800-443-8611, [email protected]