YES Bursary
It's a big day at Government House in Edmonton. Thirty-three Albertans who have made significant contributions to their communities are about to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Felicia Wilson's turn is coming up. But moments before her name is called, she witnesses something truly special.
"There was this little girl, Isabella, who is 10 years old, and she was ahead of me in line to receive her medal," says Felicia. "I was calm and collected and ready to get this medal. Then, Isabella goes up and they tell her story."
Isabella Tonn, you may remember, is the girl recovering from a rare form of cancer who, when given the chance by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, chose not to meet Justin Bieber or go to Disneyland. Instead, she wanted to help others, asking to volunteer at an orphanage in Mexico.
"That was her wish," Felicia continues. "I was crying and emotional and trying to collect myself. When I went up to meet the premier, I didn't say too much. I was too overwhelmed."
Felicia was truly inspired by Isabella's story. But Felicia could easily inspire many others with her own story. The second-year MacEwan University student is one of seven young Albertans in the ATB Financial YES (Youth Education Support) bursary program for post-secondary students who were once in the care of the provincial government.
Not only is Felicia an excellent student (she is set to graduate with a commerce degree in 2015), she owns her own business and volunteers with Project HOPE (Hands Open to People Everywhere). Her work with Project HOPE – helping build infrastructure and promote social justice in Central America – earned her the Diamond Jubilee Medal. Not only did her group raise enough money to build a school in Nicaragua, they had enough left over to send the first girl from the region to university.
"I didn't expect anything in return," Felicia says. "But it's nice for people to recognize what you're doing. I put in 20 to 40 hours per week on top of full-time school and full-time work. It's nice for someone to say, 'Hey, you've had no social life in the past year. Thanks for doing this for someone.'"
As a YES bursary recipient, Felicia not only receives financial support for her education, she is also paired with a mentor from ATB to help with her budding career in accounting. ATB also invites YES bursary students to corporate outings for networking opportunities and cultural experiences.
"We're always getting invited to events I wouldn't have been able to go to if I wasn't involved in the program," says Felicia. "It helps with building relationships, but it also enlightens me about things I might be interested in, or avenues I might want to explore that I wouldn't have without being involved with ATB."
"Part of the program is connecting Felicia and the others," says Sandra Huculak, ATB's Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Investment. "We make sure they get together with the other bursary students. They interact and become friends and form their own network. That's the beautiful thing about this program."
