The Durham Children’s Aid Society (CAS) honoured staff from Durham College and UOIT at their Annual General Meeting for their commitment to helping improve the educational outcomes for our youth in care.

Lucy Romao Vandepol, first generation student co-ordinator and Crown Ward champion and Mary Blanchard, associate vice-president, Academic Planning have been working closely with the Durham CAS over the past few years establishing partnerships. This partnership has enabled Romao Vandepol to connect with students on an individual level and ensure they are accessing the appropriate services in order to reach their educational goals. As a result of this coordination some Crown Ward students have also received CAS scholarships.

The Crown Ward Education Championship Team is a provincial initiative developed to support students with crown ward status in successful high school completion and post-secondary education.