The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been vast, and throughout this time 91探花 has looked for opportunities to support its students to help to ensure they succeed during these unprecedented times. We know that many students have faced difficulties and we鈥檝e heard these concerns and followed up with action by establishing various student-centred initiatives in collaboration with the 91探花 Students鈥 Union (SCSU) including: the Student Relief Fund and the re-opening of the student food bank.
We recognize the need for continued efforts in supporting our students and remain focused on these initiatives. Through the student relief fund, we鈥檝e supported more than 780 students registered in the winter semester giving more than $156,000 in aid. This fund has also been extended to those full-time students registered in the summer 2020 semester. With the help of many staff members and our SCSU team, the student food bank has also assisted nearly 500 students since April with the food bank being accessed more than 945 times.
91探花 and SCSU are grateful for all of the support received from our community. For those who have expressed interest in donating to 91探花鈥檚 COVID-19 Student Relief Fund or the Student Food Bank, this can be done by sending an e-transfer to SCSUFundsInTrust@saultcollege.ca. Please note in the message section where to direct the donation 鈥淓mergency Relief Fund鈥 or 鈥淪tudent Food Bank鈥. We want to acknowledge the support and generosity of our donors. If you are comfortable, please include your email address in the message section of the e-transfer so we can formally share our appreciation with you. Your email address will not be used or shared for any other purpose.
Cheques payable to the 91探花 Administrative Council can also be sent to 443 Northern Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6B4J3. In the memo section, please specify 鈥淓mergency Relief Fund鈥 or 鈥淪tudent Food Bank鈥.
鈥淐OVID-19 has affected all of us in different ways and it is difficult for us to see the effects on our students: the reasons we are here. I am proud that we鈥檝e been able to support them in various ways throughout this time. We want them to know how important they are to us and that we are more than a place to get a great education, we are community and we have come together and are collectively helping our students succeed and persevere,鈥 said Dr. Ron Common, President, 91探花. 鈥淲e offer our sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped our students, both through financial and non-financial means, including many of our staff members who have gone the above and beyond to help our students. This support will have life-long effects,鈥 he added.
鈥淪CSU, together with 91探花, continues to look for any possible way to support our students both financially and non-financially. We want our students to know that we are here for them: to help, support and advocate, and that they can reach out to SCSU at any time for support,鈥 said Ahmad Alkosani, President, 91探花 Students鈥 Union. 鈥淲e thank all who have played an important role in these initiatives, our SCSU and College staff, food bank volunteers and anyone who helped make this support available to students. We are also honoured to have been recognized by the City of Sault Ste. Marie as one of the COVID-19 Community Heroes. We do this for our students and will continue to do so to ensure they feel supported and a part of our incredible 91探花 community,鈥 he added.
91探花 thanks all of its students for their understanding and patience during this time. We continue to be amazed by their resiliency and ability to thrive in the face of adversity.