Ottawa, ON – August 18, 2025: The Ottawa Community Housing Foundation (OCH Foundation) proudly awarded 35 Inspired by Learning Bursaries this week, celebrating the determination and achievements of students living in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) communities.
The Inspired by Learning Bursary program provides scholarships worth $1,000 to support post-secondary education, vocational training, and certification programs. These funds help students manage essential expenses such as tuition, textbooks and living costs. thus removing barriers so they can focus on achieving their academic and career goals. This year, one bursary was reserved for a Youth Futures participant, reaffirming the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering young leaders through this vital program.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools we can offer our youth,” said Traci Spour-Lafrance, Executive Director of the OCH Foundation. “Every bursary request we receive is more than just an application, it is a story of courage, resilience and the pursuit of something greater. We are so proud of these 35 recipients who are turning ambition into action.”
The bursary supports a diverse group of learners – from recent high school graduates to mature students returning to education – each navigating their own unique challenges in pursuing higher education. For some, it means covering the cost of tuition or essential textbooks, while for others it helps with everyday expenses. One recipient shared that the bursary came at the perfect time, allowing them to cover their first and last month’s rent as they prepare to move to Toronto for their studies. Stories like these highlight how impactful the Inspired by Learning Bursary can be in helping students overcome financial barriers.
The Inspired by Learning Bursary program is made possible through the generous and continued support of Desjardins, whose partnership has been instrumental in sustaining and growing this initiative year after year. Their commitment helps ensure that OCH students have access to opportunities that can shape their futures in meaningful ways.
“We are so grateful to Desjardins, our long-time partner, for not only hosting us this evening but also for walking alongside us year after year,” Traci added. “It allows us not only to sustain the bursary program but to expand it, reaching more students each year and making education more accessible to those who need it most.”
The OCH Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to all 35 recipients. Their perseverance, community involvement and dedication to learning embody the spirit of this program, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead. The OCH Foundation team wishes them all the very best as they pursue their dreams.
39 Auriga Drive, Ottawa (ON) K2E 7Y8
Phone(613) 618-9353
Charitable Registration # 816590483RR0001
OCH Foundation’s work in Ottawa takes place on the traditional unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe nation. As uninvited guests on this land, we acknowledge the leadership of Indigenous people from time immemorial.
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