Angela Allen
RN/Bachelor of Science, Quesnel
Angela is using her bursary toward a nursing degree where she is already in her second year of a four-year program. The Fund has helped her to financially support her studies as well as given her confidence as she has realizes that she does not need to hide her mental illness from her classmates.
Branwen Willow
ESL, Vancouver
Branwen Willow from Vancouver spent time volunteering at Mosaic and helping adults to learn how to read and write in English, when she came to realize many of Canada's refugees have suffered persecution along with torture. Branwen hopes to use her bursary to pursue her dream of an art program using clay to raise self-empowerment and literacy for new refugees. She has also applied to take the Mental Health Worker program.
Oliver
Electrician, Delta
Oliver enthusiastically awaits the start of classes at BCIT’s Electrical Industrial Electrician Program. He plans to combine his computer skills with the electricity course to enable him to install “smart” home and commercial electrical and computer systems. Oliver’s support system of friends, family and mental health professionals has helped him manage his bipolar disorder and support his career choices.
Norah Dunlop
Payroll Administration, Langley
Norah is using her bursary towards the final level of her Payroll Management Certificate program. The worst period of a life-long illness has kept Norah away from senior payroll and human resources positions since 1993. Now with the help of the fund, she feels confident and excited to return to her career.
J. Antionio Fuentes
Driving Instruction, Vancouver
J. Antonio is an autobody repairman who is using his Lorne Fraser bursary to take driving lessons to get his license. With this license, he can then work at an auto repair shop.
Jeff Holmes
Residential Care Attendant, Nanaimo
Jeff has lived in Nanaimo for the past six years and has been working in the Concurrent Disorders program at CMHA’s Mid-Island branch as a peer support worker. With the Lorne Fraser bursary, he is going to take the Residential Care Attendant program for working with the elderly.
Michael Miles
Custodial Worker, Oliver
Michael is from Oliver in the South Okanagan. He has been living with a mental illness since 1996 and has excellent counselors and medication for his condition; he now feels he is healthy enough both physically and mentally to move on to a career of his own. The fall of 2003, Michael is taking the Custodial Worker program at Okanagan University College with the goal of one day starting his own cleaning business.
Pamela Owen
MA English, Surrey
Pamela graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and worked at VGH before being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Pamela is currently teaching psychiatric nursing and is preparing to apply for the Masters program in English Literature, with an end goal of a doctorate in English.
Lorraine Strand
Life Skills Coach, Vancouver
Lorraine has chosen to further her education and training in the fields of mental health and addictions as a Life Skills Coach. She looks forward to completing the course so as to have the knowledge of guiding not only herself but in making the most skillful choices possible for the lives of those afflicted by mental disorders or addictions.
Kathleen Weston
Fashion Design, White Rock
Kathleen was born in White Rock and graduated from high school in 1998 but was unable to attend college because of crippling depression and anxiety. Now managing her condition well, she is currently enrolled in the Fashion Design and Technology program at Kwantlen University College and enjoying her new career path immensely.
Jaimy Stephens
Social Work, North Vancouver
Jaimy is pursuing university transfer courses for a Social Work degree at Capilano College. She has been involved in the child care and mental health systems most of her life and feels that this experience has given her empathy. For recreation, Jaimy plays centre on an all-women’s hockey team called “The Lunatics.”
