Financial assistance for youth ages 12-24 so they can advance their opportunities for education and learning

Only one in 10 incidents where a youth was accused of a crime happened at school during school hours or a supervised activity (Statistics Canada 2014).

The Keegan HELP Fund provides a bursary of up to $500 per calendar year for a variety of positive activities for marginalized youth who are connected to Calgary-based agencies and organizations (e.g. school, sports, probation, charity, counselling, etc.)Successful applicants can use the funding for things like:

  • Courses and classes
  • Sports and recreation opportunities
  • Tutoring
  • Employment readiness
  • Camps
  • Identification e.g. Drivers’ License, Passport etc.
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Guidelines

Please read carefully before filling out the application. Incomplete answers may result in delays in processing the application.

  • Youth will submit an application form that identifies the opportunity they wish to pursue and how this opportunity will advance their education and learning.
  • Each applicant can receive a bursary of up to $500 per calendar year. Applicants may apply more than once per year but will not be approved for more than $500 per calendar year.
  • Applicants will be asked to identify other sources of funding going towards their opportunity
  • Priority will be given to applicants who have not been previously approved.
  • Up to 50 per cent of the HELP Fund will be prioritized for Indigenous youth.
  • Applicants may reapply at a later date if an application is not successful.
  • Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have been associated with an agency or organization for a minimum of three months prior to application.
  • Applicants will identify their staff supporter to assist them in the pursuit of their goal(s). The staff supporter should provide ongoing support during the application process and may be contacted for further information.
  • Applications will be reviewed by the Keegan HELP Working Group on an ongoing basis.
  • All applicants will be informed of the result of their application or be asked to provide additional information within two (2) weeks of the application deadline. (Please allow 2-3 weeks for cheque processing.)
  • Successful applicants will be asked to provide a verbal or written report to the Keegan HELP Working Group within 60 days of the bursary being used.
  • CJHS’s Communications Advisor may contact you for social media and/or storytelling opportunities

Applicant Information

Name
Address

Contact Information (if different from above)

Name
Address

Support Staff

Does applicant have First Nations/Metis/Treaty Status?
Please note: This information is for administration purposes only and will NOT affect the application.

Funding Request

This application is for (check all that apply)
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Maximum $500.00

Other Funding Sources

Requirements If Approved

If your application is successful, you will be asked to provide a receipt in order to receive payment. There are two ways to receive the payment:

  1. Pay for the activity first. Provide the receipt to the Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS). A cheque for the amount of the activity will be processed. We cannot give a cheque for an activity that’s already been paid for unless CJHS receives a receipt.
  2. Provide CJHS with the contact information of the organization/business offering the activity ahead of time. When it’s time to register or pay, CJHS will pay the bursary amount directly to the organization/ business at that time.
  3. The Keegan HELP Fund Working Group will follow up with successful applicants within 60 days to provide a verbal or written report about how the bursary was used and how it impacted their lives.

Are you willing to provide a report if asked?

Below are just a few examples of what youth can access with $500:

  • Introductory Photography Workshop at the Photo Academy (four classes) — $280
  • Boxing lessons at UNDRCARD (20 classes) — $349
  • GED (five tests) — $200
  • 2D Game Design course at SAIT (eight classes) — $345
  • Guitar lessons at Long & McQuade (8 hours total) — $480
  • Basketball Day Camp with NBC Camps (five days) — $320
  • And more!
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