Waterloo - Wilfrid Laurier University has joined a new provincially-sponsored “Education Championship Team” designed to help Crown wards — children and youths under the care of the government — pursue post-secondary education.

Each local Education Championship Team includes advocates, professionals and experts from children's aid societies, area school boards, universities, colleges and other organizations and agencies. The teams offer mentoring, tutoring and counselling to help Crown wards — most of whom come from troubled family situations — transition from high school to college, university or apprenticeship training.

Four teams were established when a pilot program was launched in 2007. At a news conference in Kitchener Thursday, the province announced three new teams — including the one Laurier is now part of, which represents Waterloo Region, Guelph and Wellington County.

The government also said yesterday that Crown wards who pursue post-secondary education and training may also receive financial aid through tuition grants, reimbursement of university and college entrance application fees, and certain exemptions from Ontario Student Assistance Program income assessments.

"We know that young people who have been in the care of children's aid societies experience unique challenges as they enter adulthood,” said Deb Matthews, Minister of Children and Youth Services. "But with a good education and the right supports, I'm confident they can achieve their dreams."

One such student achieving her dreams is Abbie Gateman, a third-year sociology student at Laurier who spoke at yesterday’s news conference.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” said Gateman, 21, who had been a Crown ward from the age of 10. “This announcement provides us with the opportunities and support we need to reach the goals we want to reach.”

Addressing a number of young people in the audience, Gateman added: “You are going to be one of the ones who beat the odds, who will have the opportunity to be the best you can be.”

John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, said the Education Championship Teams and financial support for Crown wards furthers the province’s goal of assisting citizens through education.

"By removing the barriers to education faced by Crown wards, we are closer to realizing our goal of ensuring all Ontarians are equipped for success in our knowledge-based economy," he said.

For more information about the Education Championship Teams and the educational assistance available to Crown wards, visit:

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/nr/09.02/bg0219a.html