The SA Equity and Care Relief Fund continues to provide support for students, three years after it was established.
The Student Association’s (SA) Equity and Care Relief Fund is the first and longest COVID-19 support fund made available for students at George Brown College (GBC).
The fund was established by the SA board during the start of the pandemic in spring of 2020, aligning with the SA’s mission to support students through struggle.
The fund is unique as it understands that different groups of students are impacted differently by the pandemic and allows a low-barrier application process. It also aims to be low-barrier and accessible to all.
The SA’s Community Care Centre (CCC) plays an essential role in the workings of this fund.
“This fund centers marginalized students who too often face too many barriers with other bursaries and applications. Some funding models looking to give, actually take away – chipping away at folks’ identity, dignity, of sense of worth. Instead, we hope this is a fund with a difference, and making a difference. You do not have to prove your worth or your needs. You are worthy,” said Charlene Holmes, CCC coordinator.
The application process for this fund is non-intrusive and does not require students to share their personal finances or disclose personal and traumatic experiences.
“I burst with humble joy when students say that they felt listened to by this fund. If other funding processes feel robotic or punitive – it’s affirming that students are picking up on the difference and what we are trying to achieve,” Holmes said.
To be eligible, students must be registered full-time students at GBC, who identify with one or more of the currently prioritized equity groups including black; disabilities; First Nations, Inuit, Métis; international or racialized; LGBTQ+; women & trans.
While the fund is time-based and needs-based specific to COVID-19 impacts on students, Holmes hopes that the spirit of this support continues in the GBC community.
“Could the equity & care relief fund serve equity students across other crises post-pandemic? The need is there. Which means thinking about this is there – so I’d love to see if the principles modelled with this fund could translate to other funding supports long-term.”
The fund amounts range from $100 to $1,000 and will be awarded based on recipient criteria. This small-scale fund is aimed for short-term relief only and focuses on addressing the fact that many in need often go unaddressed by systems.
Application for the fund will officially open on Feb. 17 and will be accessible via this link.
The deadline to apply is March 21 by 12 p.m.
