HCAS Board of Directors presented Loyalist College the J.J. Kelso Award for 2010 at the Society’s 103rd Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, June 16, at Hastings Children’s Aid Society in Belleville.
The J.J. Kelso Award is presented annually by the Society’s Board of Directors to an individual or organization in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of child welfare in our community.
In his nomination of Loyalist College, Angus Francis, HCAS Manager Child in Care Services, praised the staff of Loyalist College for providing the solutions and the understanding needed to assist youth in care to reach post secondary education and to dream the life they wish to live.
“From Loyalist College staff in the financial aid office, to admission staff, to instructors; staff at Loyalist have always been creative, helpful and, most importantly, have treated our kids with a great deal of respect,” said Francis.
In his nomination of Loyalist College, HCAS Board Member and Saint Michael’s Catholic School Vice-Principal, Darcey French, said that it was through the efforts of Loyalist College, under the leadership of Maureen Piercy, that success has become more of a possibility for children who otherwise might have ended up leading a life of struggle.
“An example of why this outstanding staff and institution deserves this award can be seen in their support and participation in the Doc Turley Endowment Fund,” said French. “Although the main focus of this fund was the creation of another level of support for students who have been involved with Hastings CAS, it really is a profound statement by Loyalist College staff of the value of the Society’s kids to them and their attitude about their future and future success.”
Maureen Piercy, President of Loyalist College, accepted the award on behalf of Loyalist College. "I am very pleased to accept this award on behalf of the Loyalist College team," said President Maureen Piercy. "We are delighted to join with other community partners, including the Hastings CAS, the Quinte Children’s Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Belleville and the Quinte Veteran’s Association, to help establish endowment funds to support students with their post-secondary education. With the help of matching funds provided through the Ontario Trust for Student Support Program, we are able to establish endowed funds to support students throughout the future, and we are delighted to do this through our College Foundation." "Loyalist is proud to serve the needs of individual learners throughout our communities, with a wide variety of postsecondary options."
In her remarks, Loyalist College student and former crown ward, Megan Bohan, congratulated Maureen Piercy and the staff at Loyalist College on being presented the J.J. Kelso Award, emphasizing that, without the understanding, encouragement and guidance she has received from Loyalist staff, she wouldn’t be where she is today – successfully realizing her goal of attending college and making a better life for herself and her daughter.
To honour Loyalist College, Hastings CAS will provide a $250 Reach for Success Bursary, presented in its name, at the Quinte Children’s Foundation’s 2011 Youth Achievement Awards.
For additional information please contact:
Mark Quann
Chair, Board of Directors
Hastings Children’s Aid Society
613-962-9291 ext 2305
Len Kennedy
Executive Director
Hastings Children’s Aid Society
613-962-9291 ext 2305