Julia’s story: designing a fulfilling and successful life

As a former foster child, Julia* knows what it feels like to be separated from everything you know and unsure of the future. She wistfully watched high school friends fizzing with excitement about college and university, confident in their parents’ support. While Julia’s social worker at the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) had reassured her that everything would be okay, it felt like a gift from heaven when she received a college tuition scholarship from the Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation (CCAF).

“It was so comforting having the scholarship and knowing that I could just focus on my studies,” says Julia of the gift that paid for four years in Humber College’s Interior Design Program. “I feel incredibly lucky.”

Your donations fund CCAF scholarships that bridge the opportunity gap

With the support of generous donors like you, the CCAF awarded 79 scholarships last year to youth in Toronto in or from extended care with the CCAS. The bursaries provide young people the chance to attend trade school, college or university, offering a path to brighter futures for kids facing extraordinary obstacles. Research shows that 54% of Ontario youth in extended care drop out of high school; those who graduate are 50% less likely to get post-secondary education than the general population.

“Youth in care have often moved around a lot, experienced trauma or hit other barriers that impact their scholastic success,” says Jim Gilligan, Executive Director of the CCAF. “Donating to help fund scholarships lifts these kids toward new opportunities.”

CCAF bursaries empower the dreams of at-risk Catholic youth in Toronto

Julia certainly leapt at the opportunity. She was interested in design even as a young girl. To afford Humber College’s Interior Design Program—including a co-op term with a luxury residential design firm—was a dream come true. Her hard work paid off, too: at commencement, Julia won an award for her outstanding work in the program.

“It feels so great and rewarding to be a junior interior designer now,” says Julia, who  hopes to donate to CCAF someday. “These scholarships bring hope and help kids know that they are not alone. They allow foster children to get the same opportunities that other people get.”

How you can help build brighter futures

Your donations provide access to more youth now that the CCAF is offering bursaries for trade schools, in addition to universities and colleges. For example, one recent recipient is training to become an esthetician. 

As for Julia, it’s not surprising that her work goes beyond choosing beautiful furnishings and focuses on instilling heart and warmth into her designs. As she says, “What I love about interior design is creating a home where people can really come together.”

*Name changed for privacy reasons.