News Release


Crown Wards Get More Help At School

McGuinty Government Creates Championship Teams And Improves Financial Support

February 19, 2009

Ontario is helping Crown wards succeed at college and university.

Three new Education Championship Teams will offer mentorship, peer support, motivation and guidance in three Ontario communities.  Teams include volunteers from local school boards, children’s aid societies, postsecondary institutions, community agencies, Employment Ontario and provincial ministries. 

In their first year of operation, four Championship Teams helped approximately 350 students. The government’s investment increases the number of teams helping Crown wards to seven.   

Crown wards who pursue postsecondary education and training may also receive financial aid through tuition grants, reimbursement of university/college entrance application fees, and certain exemptions from Ontario Student Assistance Program income assessments.

Support for Crown wards is also a component of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, which will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years - lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty - by boosting benefits for low-income families and enhancing publicly-funded education.

Quotes

Minister Milloy with (left to right): Peter Ringrose, Executive Director of Family & Children's Services of Waterloo Region, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, Leeanna Pendergast, The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services, Abbie Gateman, a Crown ward, and Championship Team co-chairs Kelly Anthony and Daniel Moore.
Minister Milloy with (left to right):  Peter Ringrose, Executive Director of Family & Children's Services of Waterloo Region, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, Leeanna Pendergast, The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services, Abbie Gateman, an FCS client, and Championship Team co-chairs Kelly Anthony and Daniel Moore.

“By removing the barriers to education faced by Crown wards, we are closer to realizing our goal of ensuring all Ontarians are equipped for success in our knowledge-based economy,” said John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Minister Milloy with Peter Ringrose, several youths from Family & Children's Services of Waterloo Region (who are Crown wards), MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, Leeanna Pendergast and The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services.
Minister Milloy with Peter Ringrose, several clients from Family & Children's Services of Waterloo Region, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga, Leeanna Pendergast and The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services.

“We know that young people who have been in the care of children’s aid societies experience unique challenges as they enter adulthood,” said Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews. “But with a good education and the right supports, I’m confident they can achieve their dreams.”
"Crown Wards often face multiple obstacles in their quest for succeeding in high school and in the pursuit of post-secondary education and training," said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga. "These new championship teams will provide them with the educational support needed to pursue the road to higher education."

Quick Facts

  • There are approximately 9,500 Crown wards in Ontario, and 53 Children’s Aid Societies.
  • Three new Championship Teams in Waterloo/Guelph/Wellington, Simcoe and Hamilton/Brant/Haldimand-Norfolk will receive start-up funding of $150,000 each.
  • Existing teams in Toronto, London, Ottawa and Thunder Bay will receive additional funding of $75,000 each. 

Learn More

Financial help specifically for students who are Crown wards is explained in this Backgrounder.

Support for Crown wards is also a component of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.