Pubdate: Tue, 12 Oct 2004
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Author: Susan Duncan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

SUCCESS POSSIBLE IF DOORS OPENED

Jennifer Schell is one of the lucky few who was able to escape life on the 
streets of East Vancouver and overcome an addiction to crack cocaine.

She was also fortunate that when she emerged from the dark hole of 
addiction there were resources available to help her pursue an education.

Schell told her story at a UCC Foundation breakfast last week when she met 
with the many people who work every year to raise money for student 
financial awards and programs. When she came out of a detox clinic, she 
decided it was time to create a future for herself and her child.

She enrolled in a two-year business diploma program, which she completed 
last year. Now she is in her third year of a degree in business 
administration. She credits much of her success to the support of the UCC 
Foundation.

Last year, the foundation raised $650,000 for student scholarships and 
bursaries. This year, the campaign goal is $1 million. In 2003, almost 
1,000 students benefited from community and individual contributions to the 
foundation. The financial assistance means the difference between going 
back to school for many students or spending a lifetime struggling to find 
a self-supporting job.

When people can educate themselves and follow up by finding satisfying, 
well-paying careers, society saves itself money in criminal justice, health 
care and social agency costs. The price of education usually pays for 
itself over and over again.

Sadly, many people cannot find the money to cover their education costs. 
They don't have families who can help them or they are unable to get the 
loans necessary to make it through to the end of a degree program. The 
foundation is the answer for students in financial hardship and for 22 
years, the university-college has been well served by its foundation staff 
and board.

It's important for the community to continue to look for ways to donate to 
UCC Foundation either through straight donations, participation in 
fundraising activities or even through memorial gifts in the name of a 
loved one who has died.

Education is a gift that helps people become contributing members of a 
community so that they in turn will be able to help some other struggling 
student. It's also a gift that relies on the beneficiary to participate in 
the roadway to success.

Schell may have been given a financial hand from the foundation, but the 
rest of the achievement came from her hard work.
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