Nearly 1,300 students receive a Desjardins Foundation scholarship

As a new school year begins, nearly 1,300 students from all levels and fields of study have learned that they will receive financial support from the Desjardins Foundation.

Desjardins Foundation scholarships are offered to Desjardins members who demonstrate financial need. We use these scholarships to encourage young people who work hard and manage to overcome obstacles in order to continue studying. We want to support as many of them as possible, regardless of their academic performance. These scholarships are our way of telling them that Desjardins believes in them and wants them to make their dreams a reality.

Every year, more than 1,000 Desjardins employees, directors and retired staff take the time to carefully read the stories shared by the students, which allows them to select the winners. Every winner has a touching story. Here are 2 of them:

Meet Sophie-Ann, a 2020 Desjardins Foundation scholarship recipient

A Témiscamingue native, Sophie-Ann went back to school to study industrial design. Fascinated by technical drawings, she's hoping to establish herself in the field. She wants to open her own workshop, where she'll be able to create handmade furniture and accessories using her sketching and welding skills.

Sophie-Ann initially studied thanatology and worked in the field in her home region for 5 years. She now lives in Montreal, where she's studying industrial design and welding while working to support herself. Sophie-Anne is passionate and determined in everything she does. An accomplished athlete, she was the captain of a women's volleyball team and was also named the top athlete of a men's cosom hockey team. She loves science, learning, working with her hands, drawing and playing the drums. She's also writing a book.

Meet Adam, a 2020 Desjardins Foundation scholarship recipient

Adam's inspiring story is a great example of perseverance and resilience in both his personal and academic life. As a Black, homosexual male and the first person in his family to attend university, he experienced serious financial and emotional setbacks. Rather than be a victim, he decided to use his voice and experience to make a difference. With the help of a $3,000 Desjardins Foundation scholarship for his involvement, amongst other prizes and recognition, he was able to complete the master's program in Global Affairs and certificate program in Ethnic and Pluralism Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Adam hopes to work in government as a policy analyst within the human rights and equity department to ensure that diversity and inclusion issues are addressed and that equitable policies are created for all Canadians. Adam hopes to work within the international legal field as a human rights lawyer. He also created 2 non-profit organizations: "Books Breaking Barriers" and "Books Between Barriers," which help inmates to improve their reading comprehension, language skills, and literacy and offer a penpal service.