STEPHENVILLE, NL – College of the North Atlantic (CNA) and the Fry Family Foundation believe investing in students is important for the future.
As partners, they have collaborated over the past 15 years to support students financially, helping to ease the burden the cost of a post-secondary education can have. The latest example was the foundations support of CNA’s Community Leadership Development (CLD) program – now in its second year – offering students a $1,000 stipend once they successfully completed their job placement in the not-for-profit sector.
Allison Hollahan and Jennifer Lamkin, CNA Community Recreation Leadership program students, worked closely on a project for Virginia Park Community Centre to create a food bank
in that area.
This year, the program is expanding to include Community Recreation Leadership (CRL) program students, with 83 of them being eligible. With the continued support from the Fry Family Foundation, 50 students from both programs will receive a $1,000 stipend for their hard work and dedication to the not-for-profit sector.
Anna Peddle, Manager of CNA’s Office of Alumni and Advancement, says the program has had a huge impact on the students involved.
“We are happy to see this program grow and evolve,” she said. “College of the North Atlantic is built on work integrated learning (WIL). This program is an excellent way for CNA to continue its work by providing opportunities and building the next generation of leaders in our communities; in particular, supporting the not-for-profits.”
The program is designed to align with both the CLD and CRL programs’ goals of empowering students to affect change, form social groups with common goals, and create a positive influence on their communities.
Jamie French, Community Recreation Leadership program, delivered a presentation to two staff members at the Splash Centre in Harbour Grace.
Peddle says CNA plans to host an in-person event in June 2022 to celebrate the program’s enhancements, as well as the college’s longtime partnership with the Fry Family Foundation.
Celebrating Support
The Fry Family Foundation was founded in 1997 by Darryl and Marlene Fry and has been dedicated to working with educational institutions by providing scholarships and program funding.
Paul Burt, President of Fry Family Foundation, says the program will not only benefit CNA students, but communities across Newfoundland and Labrador..
"Fry Family Foundation is committed to the development and support of innovative programs that foster leadership, entrepreneurship and service learning, particularly amongst students and enterprises that strive for positive and sustainable social impacts,” he noted. “In 2021, the Foundation expanded its 15-year partnership with College of the North Atlantic to reflect this commitment. Partnering with the college’s Community Leadership Development program is a great opportunity to empower students to affect change and positively influence communities. The program’s pilot year was a success, and our intent is to commit to a four-year program which will award 50 stipends annually.”
Penny Rowe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with the Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, says it’s partnerships like these that make this province’s communities a better place.
Mackenzie Fewer and Shannon Fahey, CNA Community Recreation Leadership program students, along with Eddie Locke, who is the director of programs at Rabbittown Community Centre.
“This wonderful contribution from the Fry Family Foundation to students at CNA is an example of how working together makes a difference,” said Rowe. “Community Leadership Development matters and supporting students at CNA enhances their individual opportunities and has great benefits for our province. I know from firsthand experience the skills students learn in the Community Leadership Development program at CNA and their contribution to communities. The expansion of this partnership is significant.”
For more information about the Community Leadership Development and Community Recreation Leadership programs, visit
www.cna.nl.ca.
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Media contact:
Ryanne McIsaac
Content Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7870
Ryanne.mcisaac@cna.nl.ca