Loyalist signs on to program to get foster kids into college, university

By Riley Maracle

BELLEVILLE – Foster students in southeastern Ontario have a better chance of attending post-secondary school after an agreement that was reached last week.

The agreement, which was signed on Jan. 10 at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, will give crown-ward students the funding and other assistance they need to pursue post-secondary education.

Loyalist College was one of the institutions that are part of the agreement. Other organizations include St. Lawrence College, Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, Queen’s University, Highland Shores Children’s Aid, and the University of Ottawa.

Financial support for the program is provided by the provincial Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and Training, and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

John Suart of community relations at Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, says he is pleased with the agreement.

“This is a great victory for youth in care,” Suart said. “What’s really great about this is we have six institutions coming together to really recognize this problem and to deal with it and to do something about it.”

Students who are crown wards can begin using this service immediately.