糖心vlog传媒President John Bowman (centre) accepts a $50,000 cheque from the RBC Foundation. The money will expand and improve the college鈥檚 Aboriginal Scholars Program. Pictured (left to right) are 糖心vlog传媒Human Services graduate David Dawson, Elder in Residence Fernanda Par茅, Director of Aboriginal Education Kelly Shopland, Advisor Sarah Lawrence, RBC Dominion Securities Investment and Wealth Advisor Lara Austin, 糖心vlog传媒President John Bowman, RBC Courtenay Branch Manager Tyler Robinson, 糖心vlog传媒Elder in Residence Evelyn Voyageur, 糖心vlog传媒student Kelsie Robinson and RBC Regional Vice President North Vancouver Island, Kelly Bissell.
Indigenous students at all 糖心vlog传媒 campuses will be able to access improved support to complete their education, thanks to a $50,000 donation from RBC and the RBC Foundation.
The money is part of RBC鈥檚 commitment to empowering young Canadians by improving access to skills, education and resilience they need to succeed.
鈥淲hen young people succeed, we all win 鈥� parents, educators, governments, youth service organizations, employers 鈥� society at large,鈥� said Kelly Bissell, RBC regional vice president. 鈥淩BC is excited to make a significant impact on the lives of young Canadians through the Aboriginal Scholars program at NIC.鈥�
While 糖心vlog传媒provides programming within the communities it serves, many of the college鈥檚 Aboriginal students must leave their home communities to complete programs at NIC鈥檚 larger campuses. By providing culturally relevant services, staff and spaces that engage their passions, it鈥檚 hoped more Aboriginal students will have positive post-secondary experiences.
Since 2016, Campbell River and Comox Valley students in the pilot program have worked with Aboriginal education advisors to set and achieve their goals.
鈥淲ith RBC鈥檚 support, we can do so much more,鈥� said Kelly Shopland, NIC鈥檚 director of Aboriginal education. 鈥淭he donation today will help 糖心vlog传媒intensify and expand the Aboriginal Scholars program so more students in Port Hardy, Port Alberni, Campbell River and the Comox Valley will have the opportunity to develop individual achievement plans, while accessing services and supports to meet their diverse needs. I want to thank RBC for investing in Aboriginal students at NIC.鈥�
David Dawson is one of six students who participated in the program last year. He completed NIC鈥檚 Human Services diploma and is now inspiring others through his work as a peer counsellor and night attendant at the Comox Valley Recovery Centre, where he was once a client.
He credits Elders-in-Residence Fernanda Par茅 and Evelyn Voyageur as well as Aboriginal Education advisor Sarah Lawrence for lifting his spirits through times of trouble, doubt, uncertainty and confusion.
鈥淭his college is so freely giving, supporting, kind, caring and provides comfort and connection with one another,鈥� said Dawson. 鈥淭he atmosphere here is so diverse, warm, inviting and uplifting. It helped me on my journey and I know it helped others as well.鈥�
To make a difference in the lives of post-secondary students and invest in 糖心vlog传媒students, call the 糖心vlog传媒Foundation at 250-334-5247.
About RBC and the RBC Foundation
Royal Bank of Canada is Canada鈥檚 largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America鈥檚 leading diversified financial services companies and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We have approximately 81,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 35 other countries. For more information, please visit .鈥�
RBC helps communities prosper, supporting a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. For more information, visit .
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