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A name change in Ontario costs $137 and takes anywhere from six to eight weeks for processing. With 2022 Spring Convocation just 10 weeks away, learners who want their credentials to match their authentic selves need to act now. You can help them – today – by supporting the AC Rainbow Bursary.

The AC Rainbow Bursary helps 2SLGBTQ+ with anything they need to feel secure and supported.

Established during Pride Month 2021 by School of Business professor Angela Lyrette, the AC Rainbow Bursary provides financial assistance to students who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, with special consideration given to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, disabled, trans and/or non-binary. Students may use the bursary to purchase books, supplies, gender-affirming clothing or basic necessities, for example.

In support of International Day of Pink — a worldwide anti-bullying and anti-homophobia awareness campaign which takes place April 13 — Algonquin College will match Rainbow Bursary donations up to $3,000 until April 20, 2022.

Click here to donate now

Lyrette developed the bursary after a personal experience with a student that left her concerned and eager to support.

“A couple of years ago, I had a student who excelled in their program but on the day of their graduation they were nothing like the student I had gotten to know,” says Lyrette. “They looked very small and uncomfortable, and I noticed that they were wearing a different gendered outfit. At the College you can specify your preferred name on forms, email and Brightspace, but when it came time for graduation the student had to receive their credential in their deadname. This really bothered me.”

Lyrette quickly got to work to ensure other students did not have to live through the same experience.

“I spoke with the Wellness and Equity Centre coordinator at the College in June of 2021, and together we began setting up a bursary that would financially support 2SLGBTQ+ students so that money was no longer a barrier when it came to purchasing gender affirming clothing, undergoing a name change, or buying schoolbooks and supplies,” she says. “In the case of this student the bursary would have helped them be recognized for their achievements the way they wanted to be recognized — by their preferred name. I wanted the weight of the whole College behind these graduates saying, ‘We see you and we respect you!’”

Elliot, an Algonquin College Computer Programming student who immigrated to Canada with his partner four years ago, says the bursary has helped him immensely.

“I was awarded the bursary in December and with the money, I could finally afford to buy a down jacket. The past winter was extremely cold, but the jacket kept me warm throughout the harsh weather,” says Elliot. “My partner and I were also able to buy a small Christmas tree to celebrate the holiday, and it really gave us warmth in our hearts — given that we are thousands of miles away from our family members and couldn’t afford to go back.”

Elliot says that as a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada he felt lucky, astonished and grateful when he was awarded the Rainbow Bursary.

“The bursary helped me a great deal. One may never know how much the person who received it could be benefited,” says Elliot. “Whether it’s food to fill a hungry stomach, clothes to keep them warm, or a helping hand with rent — a little bit of financial assistance can go a long way.”

Today, eight students have benefited from the bursary, which Lyrette hopes will only continue to grow.

“I am impacted very strongly by the work that Algonquin College does to create a safe space for students and it’s so encouraging to see the support this bursary has received,” says Lyrette. “The College really is a role model when it comes to doing the work to make sure everyone feels welcome and knows that they belong.”

On International Day of Pink, consider donating to the AC Rainbow Bursary* to support students in your community — whether that be in Ottawa, Perth, Pembroke or Online Campus — on the journey to becoming their authentic selves.

Donate today and Algonquin College will match up to $3,000 of your contribution until April 20, 2022.

Everyone deserves to be recognized authentically.

*The AC Rainbow Bursary is open to Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, permanent residents, protected persons, and international students.

Algonquin College is announcing the launch of two new bursaries that will be available to students in the Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker (PSW) programs.

The new bursaries — established by a generous gift of more than $50,000 from longtime community volunteer and philanthropist Susan Prior — support and encourage student enrolment in the PSW program and support health care workers who wish to upgrade their education to become a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN).

The “Semira Saba Kifle Practical Nursing Bursary” honours Semira Saba Kifle, who, after 18 years working as a PSW and with four children at home, returned to school to advance her education. She graduated from the Algonquin College Practical Nursing diploma program in 2018. The bursary will be awarded annually to a student in financial need who is a health care worker and enrolled in the first semester of the Practical Nursing program.

A second bursary, the “Thank You PSW Bursary,” will be awarded to a student with a financial need registered in the second semester of the Personal Support Worker program.

“Susan’s service in the community is impressive and makes a difference not only for our community members, but also for our learners. Her generosity and keen support for effective health care, the need of which she has long recognized, will transform the lives of many students for years to come,” said Algonquin College President and CEO, Claude Brulé. “In honouring one of our graduates and PSW workers everywhere, Susan makes the important connection between our students’ learning and the health of our communities. This has become especially important over the past two years as we cope with effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Susan’s own experience with health challenges and that of her late husband, Jack, a pioneer in the computer software industry, as well as witnessing the care her 99-year-old mother receives at her retirement home, drives her commitment to health care. She also recognizes that supporting student practical nurses and PSWs means more care in retirement homes, long-term care facilities, home care agencies and hospitals.

“These health care workers are phenomenal. They don’t have much time right now because of pandemic protocols, but they’re always really good to my mother,” she said. “We need more of them and providing bursaries will help them get the training they need.”

These new bursaries come at a time when the province is facing a critical shortage of RPNs and PSWs, especially in home and long-term care. The Ontario government recently announced an investment of up to $100 million to train an additional 2,000 nurses, RPNs and PSWs by 2024-2025.

Read more about these bursaries.

Algonquin College is marking Black History Month by matching every donation to the Empowering Black Students Bursary, up to a total of $3,000. Every $100 donated to the fund from Feb. 1 ̶ 28, 2022, will increase the fund’s value by $200.

The bursary was initiated by Carl Clergé, Business Administration, 2016, established in response to racial injustices exposed in the summer of 2020, and in the knowledge that Black immigrants do not always have the resources to pursue higher education.

Clergé drew on own family experience to explain his desire to help others through this bursary.

“For many first-generation Canadian immigrants, the opportunity to get an education may not be available as they need to work immediately upon relocating to Canada,” he said. “I can relate to this experience first-hand as my mother began working as soon as she immigrated to Canada in 1989.”

The Empowering Black Student Bursary is awarded to Black students in need studying in the School of Business.

Learn more about the Empowering Black Students Bursary here.

Mike Martin, a graduate of Algonquin College’s General Carpenter program, built a successful home renovation business, as well as a reputation as a dedicated, results-driven advocate. His passion for professionalism widely benefited the industry, as well as all Canadians who were looking to renovate their homes.

Before passing away from CNS Brain Lymphoma earlier this year, Mike was a long-standing member and committed volunteer of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA), where he was an instrumental force in bringing the RenoMark program to Ottawa, which continues to promote and improve industry standards. According to Jason Burggraaf, Executive Director of GOHBA, “Part of the appeal of joining GOHBA for many is having the opportunity to give back. Mike was a standout example of someone who wanted to help others in the industry succeed just like he did.”

In addition to supporting his fellow renovators at the local level, Mike was a leading proponent on many important initiatives on the provincial and national stage through the Ontario Home Builders’ Association and Canadian Home Builders’ Association, where he also served as Chair of their respective Renovator Councils. Mike made it a focus at all levels of the association to combat the underground economy and ensure that consumers “get it in writing” so that they had assurance they were dealing with a professional.

Preserving historical architecture was an area of particular interest to Mike, which is why the Heritage Carpentry and Joinery program was chosen. Mike’s wife and co-business owner, residential and commercial designer Suzanne Martin, describes how he and his company team enjoyed undertaking renovations that “blended seamlessly” with a structure’s original craftsmanship. She relates how Mike’s professional skills and interests run in his family. His grandfather was a carpenter and his father founded the Labrador Heritage Society. Suzanne describes Mike as someone who always wanted to help people, both in his personal and professional life.

After Mike’s passing, a number of his friends at GOHBA discussed ideas for honouring his memory. Says Jason, “They wanted to carry on his legacy of giving back.” The outcome was a successful fundraising drive that raised more than $25,000 through the association to establish an endowed bursary in Mike’s name that annually supports a student enrolled in the Heritage Carpentry and Joinery program at Algonquin College’s Perth campus. The response among members, at all three levels of the association was, as Jason characterizes it, “very enthusiastic. So many people knew Mike as an outgoing and caring person, and they wanted to support his legacy. Mike demonstrated what a fulfilling career choice it can be to work in our industry.” According to Jason, Algonquin made it easy for GOHBA to set up the bursary and launch the fundraising campaign.

In 2019 GOHBA awarded Mike an honorary membership for his contribution and commitment to the professional renovation industry.

“Mike took on leadership roles at the local, provincial and national levels of the Home Builders’ Association, because he believed in giving back to the industry, and that the best way to promote professionalism was to set the example yourself,” said Steve Barkhouse, President of Amsted Design-Build and a long-time friend of Martin.

Learn more about the Mike Martin Heritage Carpentry and Joinery Bursary here.

Algonquin College is delighted that alumnus Michael Nolan has won a prestigious Premier’s Award. The announcement was made the night of Nov. 18 during a virtual ceremony to celebrate Ontario’s outstanding college graduates. Michael was one of several exceptional Algonquin Alumni honoured with a nomination.

As Chief of the Paramedic Service and Director of Emergency Services for the County of Renfrew since 2004, Michael has had a big impact, most recently directing the introduction of a drone service delivery fleet, managing the impact of a 2018 tornado, and overseeing the response to the biggest flood in memory in his region in 2019. From early 2020 to today, he’s been playing a crucial role in helping the county deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Premier’s Awards recognize college graduates making important social and economic contributions to Ontario, and are administered by Colleges Ontario. Michael graduated from Algonquin’s Ambulance and Emergency Care Paramedic program in 1991.

“The entire College community is thrilled that Michael’s contributions have been recognized with this award. Michael is an innovator, who leads by example, following his passion for paramedicine since graduation and always placing service to his community above self,” said Algonquin College CEO and President Claude Brulé. “I would also like to congratulate all our exceptional nominees. Together they have made enormous contributions across Ontario, making their communities better places to live, work and play.”

Reflecting on receiving the award Michael said, “This award is incredibly important.”

“As a young student studying at Algonquin College, I quickly gained the confidence and skills to serve the public and save lives. Thirty years later, it is clear that those formative years at Algonquin ignited my passion for innovation and have sparked many advancements in the profession of paramedicine in Canada and internationally.”

Algonquin’s Vice President, Advancement, Mark Savenkoff, congratulated Michael on his award and praised all the nominees, each a graduate of the College. “This well-deserved award is further recognition of the contribution of Michael, who was the Algonquin College 2020 Alumni of Distinction Winner,” said Savenkoff. “Michael exemplifies what it means to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success.”

Algonquin congratulates all its 2021 Premier’s Award Nominees:

Apprenticeship Award Nominee: Adam Vettorel – Co-owner and Chef, North & Navy and Cantina Gia
Business Award Nominee: Michael Wood – Small Business and Community Advocate.
Community Services Award Nominee: Crystal Martin-Lapenskie – President and CEO, Okpik Consulting; President, National Inuit Youth Council
Creative Arts & Design Award Nominee: Ricardo Larrivée – Chef, Host and Author, RICARDO Media
Health Science Award Nominee: Michael Nolan – Director, Emergency Services and Chief, Paramedic Service, County of Renfrew
Recent Graduate Award Nominee: Carl Clergé – Senior Analyst, Multi Unit Underwriting, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Technology Award Nominee: Luc Levesque – Vice-President of Growth, Shopify

Read the nominees’ bios here.