Students from at-risk neighbourhoods in Pickering, Etobicoke, Brampton and Jamaica awarded scholarships

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Sept. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Four GTA students from at-risk neighbourhoods (Pickering, Etobicoke and Brampton) were awarded $500 scholarships to help with the cost of attending post-secondary education at the back2school BBQ sponsored by SEIU Healthcare, Canada's largest healthcare union, and Miracle Centre Ministries on Saturday, August 31.

Members of SEIU Healthcare's Multi-Faith & Community Networks (SMCN) committee, raised the scholarship funds at their 3^rd Annual Fundraising Gala held in June. In addition to the GTA students, a $500 scholarship has also been awarded to a student from an at-risk neighbourhood in Kingston, Jamaica. The committee has previously provided textbooks and other school supplies to this community.

Photos of students receiving their awards are available upon request.

Students from the GTA include:

Pickering:
Richard Gayle, age 19. Richard is attending York University studying Business Administration and is in his 2^nd year. He serves as vice-president of youth committees at Miracle Center Ministries, choir director and youth mentor.

Etobicoke:
James Sylvester, age 18. James will be attending Northwest Technical Kansas College in the US studying Business and Art. He is a former high school basketball MVP two years in a row, an honour roll student and a youth volunteer with the local community center.

Andre Dickenson, age 21. Andre is attending Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning studying Culinary Management and is in his 2^nd year. Andre is active in the youth committee at Miracle Center Ministries and serves as a youth mentor.

Brampton:
Ana Mesquita, age 18. Ana will be attending Seneca College studying Graphic Design and is in her first year. She made the honour roll all four years of high school, volunteered for youth day camps, received an Ontario Scholar award and was a member of the graphic design and photography clubs.

About SEIU Healthcare:

SEIU Healthcare, Canada's largest healthcare union, represents more than 55,000 healthcare and community services workers across Ontario.  The union's members work in hospitals, home care, nursing and retirement homes and community services throughout the province. SEIU Healthcare has a strong track record of improving wages, benefits and working conditions for healthcare workers, supporting the training and development needs of its members, and strengthening standards in the management and delivery of patient and client care.

SOURCE: SEIU Healthcare

Kyle Ferguson 
Media Relations Specialist, SEIU Healthcare
Cell: 416-809-0699   Email: [email protected]