The second Pillar of Prevention of Child Abuse focuses on education for high-risk families, children and youth.

 

Dare to Dream Bursary Program
Post-secondary education is not always a financially viable option for youth who have been abused or neglected. This is one of the difficulties that these youth can face on their journey to becoming a mature and productive adult. Dare to Dream is an educational bursary program for youth in care of the Children's Aid Society.

Bursaries range from $1,000 per year to $4,000 per year for college and university students. Helping make dreams happen can break the cycle of abuse. In the fall of 2006, we awarded 54 bursaries and $140,000 in the form of a bursary to deserving wards of the crown youth.

The bursary program which was designed to assist youth in care of the Children's Aid Society of Ottawa, who by no choice of their own, have overcome significant personal hurdles and challenges, as they pursue future ambitions of receiving post-secondary education.

This program is the result of our belief that a lack of funds should not stand in the way of the educational aspirations for young people who have already faced far too many obstacles at such an early age.

The young people who apply to this program every year have completed high school, and have demonstrated willingness and desire to continue with their education. The selection criteria for this program evaluates candidates on various levels, and does not reward only those with a high grade point average, but rewards those youth who have the motivation and desire to make their "dream" come true.