Celebrating 20 Years of Enriching Education for Youth
Recognizing the Clark Bursary Award recipients and the Clarks

L to R: Clark’s daughter-in-law Sandy Clark and Christie Heaslit

On June 1, OACAS, member agencies and youth in care celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clark Awards and the Clark family’s ongoing commitment to education for youth. 

For 20 years, Ron and Nancy Clark of Caledonia have graciously donated to the Clark Bursary Fund to ensure youth in care can pursue their academic dreams through scholarships and bursaries. From the first endowment in 1989, the number of new bursaries awarded annually has steadily increased from five bursaries of $250 to 20 bursaries of $4,500 per year for university studies and $3,000 per year for college studies in 2009. 

History

• In 1989, there were five bursaries of $250 awarded to young people in care.
  
• In 1995, Ron and Nancy began contributing yearly to ensure 20 bursaries were available to deserving young people.
• In 2000, they introduced the one-time Clark Grant of $1,000 to youth in care and former youth in care pursuing educational, employment or skills development programs.
• In 2007, the Clarks’ benevolence continued with the introduction of the Clark Graduation Award, a gift of $1,000 for Clark Bursary recipients completing their post-secondary studies, a generous graduation present from the Clarks.  
• In 2009, 20 new bursaries and 20 grants were presented.
  

Since 1989, the Clarks’ have donated $1.96 million and supported 480 bursary and grant recipients.  The Clark Bursary Fund continues to make it possible for exceptional young people to pursue post-secondary education.

A 2009 Clark Bursary recipient, said of the Clarks, “Your generosity is greatly appreciated because without your support I would not be able to continue my dream of becoming a nurse.  I’ve worked hard to get this far and now look forward to my graduation knowing that I finally made it thanks to you.”  Another 2009 Clark Bursary recipient, wrote said in a letter to the Clarks, “Education is something I greatly value.  Having been a foster child at a young age, change of setting and relationships were [things] I was fairly used to.  To me, school offered a type of continuity and stability. Please know that your generous contribution to my education will never be forgotten.  With all my heart, thank you.”

At the Annual Awards Dinner, the 20 new recipients expressed their gratitude to the Clarks for their ongoing contributions. This year the Clark family was represented by daughter Christie Heaslit and daughter-in-law Sandy Clark.  On behalf of Ron and Nancy, they presented the awards along with Minister of Children and Youth Services, Deb Matthews to the 20 exceptional young people who were selected based on academic success and excellence in community involvement.

Each individual who receives a bursary is eligible for up to three more years of funding, depending on the educational program.  Students attending university receive $4,500 per year and students attending college receive $3,000 per year. The Clark Bursary is valued at up to $18,000 for each youth for their university or college pursuits.

The 20 recipients in 2009 were selected for the Clark Bursary from these member agencies:

• Algoma Children's Aid Society
• Catholic Children's Aid Society of Hamilton
  
• Children's Aid Society of Hamilton
  
• Children's Aid Society of Ottawa
  
• Children's Aid Society of Simcoe County
  
• City of Kingston & County of Frontenac Children's Aid Society
  
• Dufferin Children's & Family Services
  
• Haldimand-Norfolk Children's Aid Society
  
• Hastings Children's Aid Society
  
• Kenora-Patricia Children & Family Services
  
• London-Middlesex Children's Aid Society
  
• Northumberland Children's Aid Society
  
• Peel Children's Aid Society
  
• Prescott-Russell Services to Children and Adults
  
• Sudbury-Manitoulin Children's Aid Society
  
• Thunder Bay Children's Aid Society
  
• Toronto Catholic Children's Aid Society
  
• Waterloo Family & Children's Services
  
• Wellington Family & Children's Services
  
• Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society
  

The fund provides ongoing scholarships, bursaries and opportunities for the most exceptional young people involved with Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies to pursue their post-secondary aspirations.

The Clark family has shown their commitment to youth education and achievement and they have made a vital difference in the lives of young people who have overcome many obstacles and now have the opportunities to reach their potential.

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