Scholarships and Awards

EMPOWERMENT SQUARED SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Happier and Healthier Hamilton Scholarship

(2021 Youth Participant Scholarship: $1,000)

Established in 2020, this scholarship is inspired by F45 Hamilton Downtown’s mission of helping Hamiltonians become their happiest and healthiest selves so that they can be active participants and contributors to our community. F45 Hamilton Downtown is a group fitness community located in the heart of Hamilton’s downtown core.

This award is given to one student annually, who is commencing post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college in life sciences, business, civil engineering, or related fields, and in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and is actively or aspiring to build community in Hamilton.

2022 Recipient: Kelvin Ofori-Ansah
2021 Recipient: Azeezat Ogungbe

CF Lime Ridge Community Impact Scholarship

(2021 Youth Participant or Mentor Scholarship – $1,000 per recipient)

Established in 2020 by CF Lime Ridge and led by General Manager Liem Vu, Cadillac Fairview continues to put community first. CF Lime Ridge is proud to activate its purpose of transforming communities for a vibrant tomorrow.

This scholarship is given to two students annually, who are commencing their post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding character, resilience and community service.

These scholarships could be given to a program participant or a mentor.

2022 Recipients: Abdi Abdurahman Sidnoor and Jonathan Monteiro
2021 Recipients: Darshana Seerburruth and Abbira Nadarajah
2020 Recipients: Hisham Mohammad and Archana Thurairajah

Chanan Singh Sandhu Scholarship

(2021 Youth Participant or Mentor Scholarship – $1,000 per recipient)

Established in 2020, this scholarship is given in honour of the incredible legacy of Chanan Sandhu. Chanan and his wife Charan Sandhu were the founders and owners of Merit Furniture in Nanaimo, British Columbia, which they used as a platform to provide opportunities to hundreds of newcomers to Canada. This award was established by the Sandhu family and is supported by MERIT Brewery, which was founded by Tej Sandhu, inspired by his grandfather Charan.

This award is given to two students annually, who are commencing post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding leadership and/or academic achievement.

These scholarships could be given to a program participant or a mentor.

2022 Recipients: Fadi Dalloul and Darshana Seerburruth
2021 Recipients: Alexander Zakharia and Archana Thurairajah
2020 Recipients: Arinze Ochuba and Heba Shahaed

Black Girl Innovation Fellowship

(2021 High School Youth Fellowship: $1,000)

Established in 2019 by Nu Omega Zeta Sorority, Canada’s first founded black focused greek lettered organization, the Black Girl Innovation Fellowship seeks to empower black females in high school to develop professional skills for the workforce.

This award is given annually to a current or past participant of Empowerment Squared who identifies as a Black female and is commencing or currently enrolled in high school and in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates a notable commitment to the principles of sisterhood, volunteerism and knowledge. The recipient will be given the bursary after completing at least 65 hours of volunteering & professional development during the summer months with Empowerment Squared.

2022 Recipient: Nmesoma Charles
2021 Recipient: Anya Samuel
2020 Recipient: Anya Samuel

CF Lime Ridge Future Leader Fellowship

(2021 High School Youth Fellowship: $1,000)

Established in 2020 by CF Lime Ridge, the Fellowship seeks to empower high school students to develop professional skills for the workforce.

This award is given annually to a current or past participant of Empowerment Squared and that is commencing or currently enrolled in high school and in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates a commitment to professional development and volunteerism. The recipient will be given the bursary after completing at least 65 hours of volunteering & professional development during the summer and fall months with Empowerment Squared.

2022 Recipient: Quinn Mann-Delany
2021 Recipient: Mohlil Imran
2020 Recipient: Princess Kollie

Ibhawoh Foundation Male Mentorship Fellowship

(2021 High School Youth Fellowship: $1,000)

Established in 2020 by the Ibhawoh Foundation, a Foundation whose mission is to support education, youth empowerment and community development, the Ibhawoh Foundation Male Mentorship Fellowship seeks to develop supportive mentoring relationships to promote positive outcomes for young males and to empower boys in high school to develop professional skills for the workforce.

This award is given annually to a current or past participant of Empowerment Squared who identifies as a Black male and is commencing or currently enrolled in high school and in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates character, resiliency and a commitment to improving their skills. The recipient will be given the bursary after completing at least 65 hours of volunteering & professional development during the summer months with Empowerment Squared.

2022 Recipient: Henry Akporhonor
2020 Recipient: Theophilus Kiadii

Empowerment Squared @ McMaster Student Service Award

(2021 Volunteer Scholarship: $1,000)

Founded in 2020, Empowerment Squared @ McMaster is a student-run club that extends the mission of charitable organization Empowerment Squared to the McMaster student community through volunteerism, mentorship, and social opportunities. Empowerment Squared @ McMaster created this student award to support and acknowledge devoted McMaster students who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership through service.

This award is awarded annually to one McMaster University student, who is commencing or continuing their post-secondary studies and, in the judgement of the selection committee, has made exceptional contributions as a volunteer to the McMaster, Hamilton, or Empowerment Squared communities.

2022 Recipient: Angelo Grant 

Nu Omega Zeta Sorority Volunteerism Award

(2021 Mentor Award: $500)

Established in 2019 by Nu Omega Zeta Sorority, Canada’s first founded black focused greek lettered organization, the Nu Omega Zeta Sorority Volunteerism Award seeks to foster a commitment to the three pillars of the sorority- sisterhood, volunteerism and knowledge. This award is given annually to a current or past mentor of Empowerment Squared who is also a soror of Nu Omega Zeta sorority and is commencing or currently enrolled in post-secondary studies at an Ontario university or college and in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates a commitment to the principles of sisterhood, volunteerism and knowledge.

2021 Recipient: Kamika Sylvester
2020 Recipient: Jet’aime Fray

Andrew L Goorbarry Continuing Education Scholarship

(2018 – 2021 Adult Scholarship: $1,000)

Established in 2018 by Priya Goorbarry, Director of Operations and Administration at Empowerment Squared, and her sister Alicia Goorbarry, to recognize the exceptional dedication to education and charitable leadership of their father, Andrew L Goorbarry.

This award is given to one newcomer adult annually who is enrolling in studies at an Ontario university or college, or comparable continuing education course of study, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding commitment to improving their skills for the purpose of succeeding in the workforce and as a community supporter.

2021 Recipient: Adaora Udeze
2020 Recipient: Jeannie Rodriguez
2019 Recipient: Dariana Araque

Nirmal and Om Joshi Scholarship

(2019 – 2021 Youth Participant Scholarship: $1,000)

Established in 2019 by long time supporter Anju Joshi and her four siblings, to honour their parents’ resilience, inclusiveness, commitment to their community and their generosity of spirit. Nirmal and Om Joshi emigrated from India to Prince Edward Island, Canada with their five children in 1968. Mrs. Nirmal Joshi is known for her creativity and talents which she shared with an open heart with all whose paths crossed with hers. Mr. Om Joshi’s dedication to education has helped to inspire hundreds of young people to pursue higher education.

This scholarship is given to one student annually, who is commencing post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding community leadership and academic achievement.

2021 Recipient: Oluwakorede (Sam) Soneye
2020 Recipient: Abdi Sidnoor
2019 Recipient: Abdi Sidnoor

Youssef Family Scholarship

(2019 – 2021 Adult Scholarship: $1,000)

Established in 2019 by Tony Youssef , this scholarship is in honour of Yokhanna Youssef and Younia Chlimon, who fled Syria in 1989 with their three children, aged seven, four and three. The family resided in Germany for seven years before being sponsored to immigrate into Canada. Canada was a very welcoming country, but as a new family they struggled to start their new life. Learning a new language, finding work & affordable housing, worrying how to put food on the table, navigating the transit system amongst many other things, were daily challenges. This scholarship is important to the Youssef family as it recognizes the struggles that newcomer families face when they immigrate to Canada. and they are honoured to pay it forward.

This award is given to one newcomer adult annually who is enrolling in studies at an Ontario university or college, or comparable continuing education course of study, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding commitment to improving their skills for the purpose of succeeding in the workforce and as a community supporter.

2021 Recipient: Javier Eduardo Trejo Maldonado
2020 Recipient: Amtul Lateef
2019 Recipient: Feona Togba-Johnson

Sévigny Family Award for Academic Excellence

(2018 – 2020 Youth Participant Award: $1,000)

Established in 2018, this award is given in honour of Georges and Savitsa Sévigny, parents of Dr Alex Sévigny, founding Empowerment Squared board member. Georges Sévigny devoted his professional life to helping immigrant, refugee and at-risk youth through his career as a high school teacher at Westview Centennial High School in the Jane/Finch neighbourhood in Toronto, and Savitsa Sévigny taught many generations of French teachers through the education degree programme at York University.

This award is given to one student annually, who is commencing post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding academic achievement. Preference will be given to a candidate seeking to attend post-secondary education at McMaster University, in communication studies or multimedia.

2020 Recipient: Dariana Araque
2019 Recipient: Rahma Ahmed Abdi
2018 Recipient: Faith Woods

Illuminessence Fem-Leader Scholarship

(2018 – 2020 Youth Participant Scholarship: $1,000)

Established in 2018 by Illuminessence, a distinctive magazine with a mission to celebrate, illuminate and inspire women, the Illuminessence Fem-Leader Scholarship seeks to foster a commitment to leadership, excellence, community development and social justice among girls within diverse communities.

This scholarship is given to one self-identified female student annually, who is commencing post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and leadership. Preference will be given to a candidate seeking to pursue a social sciences, business or STEM degree or diploma.

2020 Recipient: Dinamen De Jesus
2019 Recipient: Zainab Bolanle
2018 Recipient: Rahma Abdi

Joana J. Fejzaj Community Engagement Scholarship

(2018 – 2020 Mentor Scholarship: $1,000)

Established in 2018 by Joana Fejzaj, longstanding Empowerment Squared supporter and staff member, and partner Sean Karoonian, to recognize the exceptional community contributions of Bob McDonald, Ranmalee Kulendra, Patrick Fernando, Marufa Shinwari, Jennifer Hompoth, Lisa Watt, Sheila Sammon, Tim Nolan, Jennie Vengris, Gisela Oliveira, Michelle Corbeil, and Mandeep Malik.

This scholarship is given to one student annually, who is commencing post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding community engagement and academic achievement.

2020 Recipient: Suffia Malik
2019 Recipient: Arinze Ochuba
2018 Recipient: Stephen Momoh Babao

Joan C Stewart Community Leadership Scholarship

(2017-2019 Youth Participant Scholarship: $1,000)

Established in 2017 by Mark John Stewart, former Chair of Empowerment Squared’s Board of Directors, to recognize the exceptional community contributions of his mother, Joan C Stewart.

This scholarship is given to one student annually, who is commencing post-secondary studies or currently enrolled at an Ontario university or college, and, in the judgement of the selection committee, demonstrates outstanding community leadership and academic achievement.

2019 Recipient: Bolade Shipeolu
2018 Recipient: Abdi Sidnoor
2017 Recipient: Stephen Momoh Babao