Resident Scholarships
Restarting in IT A 19-year-old boy who lives with his mother had experienced homelessness in his high school years, impacting his mental health and learning. Once in stable accommodation, he recommenced education to study a certificate in Information Technology. We were able to support him in getting the materials required for this undertaking, assist with travel expenses and pay for his student amenities fees. He’s done well and is learning a lot, although he reports that the workload is challenging at times. He has gained confidence through the experience and has been able to access some work experience that will open up employment opportunities in the future. Securinga future A Victorian resident who had been unemployed for over two years was unable to find any jobs in his trade. He was hopeful that a Security Operations Certificate would re-qualify him so he could seek in a new industry and help him financially support his family. “It has been very di cult being unemployed for so long. Working would keep me busy and able to support my goals of becoming an entrepreneur in the future, support my three children and find value and meaning in my own life.”
Our resident scholarships program commenced in 2017 as an initiative of Housing Choices' Resident Community Fund program. The aim is to work with residents to support education opportunities, and the scholarships provide financial assistance with out-of-pocket expenses for residents, or their children aged between 16 and 20 years, who are enrolled in formal study. It can apply to any education commitment, whether it be a certificate course, school, diploma, bachelor degree or apprenticeship.
One of our residents re-enrolled to complete his Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). Steppingback, tostepup He was keen to follow his dream of studying journalism and foreign relations, but needed VCE to be accepted into university. He saw our scholarship program as a way to ease the financial burden and allow him to devote more time to his academic studies. Aworthynewnote A 17-year-old resident, who lives with her mother was undertaking a three-year Bachelor of Music, despite experiencing financial hardship. She reported that: “I often don’t have the money for public transport to travel to my campus” and that “being in such a financially di cult situation, I often worry whether I will even be able to continue going to university or move forward with this degree that I have worked so hard to get into”. We were able to support her in getting the materials required for this undertaking, assist with travel expenses and pay for her student amenities fees. She aims to get a job in the music industry as a producer or booking agent and says that the scholarship has been immensely helpful, taking a weight o her mind. “Thank you so much for this, I'm really over the moon!”
We provided him with $500 towards his course application fees.
Never too late A 73-year-old Victorian resident was seeking to complete a short course to teach English for Community Engagement; not only to help her improve her own English skills, but that of her peers - ultimately becoming better connected with her community.
We were able to support this applicant by paying her tuition fees.
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Transforming the resident experience |
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