Housing awards help moms pursue education

Two people from the Cowichan Valley received BC Housing Education awards recently.

For Patricia Dashwood, a single mother from Ladysmith with two children, the $750 bursary will help her complete the school and community support worker program through Vancouver Island University.

"My biggest goal in life is to be able to provide the most stable home for my children by being able to provide for them financially and emotionally. In order to achieve this goal I have to get a better education," she said.

For Mellisa Ganderton of Chemainus, a single mother with three children, the $750 bursary will help her pursue her bachelor of education at VIU so she can become a teacher.

"The last two years have been full of growth for me, both as a new teacher and as a student," Ganderton said. "I am very grateful for all the help I have received that has enabled me to make great progress towards my degree. I feel that I have really chosen the right path for me."

Anyone in British Columbia who is living in subsidized housing, or receiving rent subsidies through BC Housing's Rental Assistance Program , is eligible to apply for the 98 bursaries and awards. The funds can be put towards tuition or other educational expenses such as books or supplies.

Applicants submitted a personal statement describing their educational and personal goals, and challenges they have overcome, as well as letters of reference and academic transcripts.