News & Events

Elmwood Student Wins Education Grant for Volunteer Work

From left to right: Greg Fougère, Executive Director and CEO, The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre; Olivia Jacobs, Students for Seniors Program Coordinator, The Prosperity Fund; Kay Stanley, Advisory Council member, The Prosperity Fund; Adam Nihmey, President and Founder, The Prosperity Fund; Aashna Uppal, Grade 10 Student, Elmwood School; Counciller Peter Hume; Daniel Clapin, Managing Director, The Perley Rideau Foundation.

Aashna Uppal, an Elmwood Grade 10 student, was awarded The Prosperity® Long-Term Care Fund's  Students for Seniors™ program $1,000 Education Grant. She received the grant for her outstanding service at the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre.

Launched in 2009, the Students for Seniors™ program aims to connect Ottawa-area students with seniors residing in not-for-profit long-term care facilities in the National Capital Region.The Students for Seniors™ program is an approved project under the Federal Government's New Horizons for Seniors Program.

The academic award is designed for students who volunteer at long-term care facilities to help pay for their post-secondary education, and celebrate their community service achievements.

"Being a volunteer in the Students for Seniors™ program was a great experience," said Uppal. "I was able to connect with seniors and learn about their life experiences, while also working towards my high school's 40-hour community service requirement."

"Across Canada, young people are demonstrating their commitment to giving back through the volunteer work they do," said Adam Nihmey, President and Founder of The Prosperity® Long- Term Care Fund. "We're pleased to have the opportunity to recognize students who have devoted their time to improve the quality of life for seniors and encourage other high school students to get involved with the Students for Seniors™ program this coming school year."

Through the Students for Seniors™ program, The Prosperity® Long-Term Care Fund is granting a matching donation to the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, the long-term care facility where Ms. Uppal volunteered. The grant will be used to help improve services at the facility.