Assiniboine receives $1M gift from The Joyce Family Foundation to support practical nursing students

The Joyce Family Foundation has donated $1 million dollars to support financial awards for Assiniboine Community College Practical Nursing students.

"Assiniboine is proud of our contributions to ensuring there are nurses trained and ready to step into healthcare careers that are in demand. This significant donation will open a door for many hopeful nursing students, enhancing their opportunity to be successful in the pursuit of a healthcare career,” said Mark Frison, President at Assiniboine. "We thank The Joyce Family Foundation for recognizing this need and providing a generous gift to aid in transforming lives and strengthening the healthcare sector in Manitoba.”

The foundation was created by Ronald V. Joyce, whose philanthropy reflected a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to give back to his community. Mr. Joyce, a legendary Canadian entrepreneur, was best known for investing in the first Tim Hortons donut shop in 1964.

"The Joyce Family Foundation recognizes the importance of supporting those who step forward into the field of nursing. With a critical shortage of health-care workers in Manitoba, the Board acknowledges the importance of supporting Assiniboine Community College, the leader of Practical Nursing in the region," said Maureen O'Neill, Executive Director at The Joyce Family Foundation. "When a student has the potential and drive for such a noble profession, this bursary will remove some of the financial barrier to achieving that goal."

The fund will be available to students entering the two-year Practical Nursing diploma program, starting in fall 2023. The Joyce Family Foundation fund will distribute five annual awards of $9,000, distributed to recipients in two installments for year one and year two of their studies. Preference will be given to those in financial need that have overcome obstacles and adversity.

“The Manitoba government commends the Joyce Family Foundation for their generous $1 million investment in support of financial awards for students in the practical nursing program at Assiniboine Community College,” said Manitoba Advanced Education, Skills and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes. “Since ACC is a partner of the Manitoba Scholarship Bursary Initiative, the Manitoba government will match private dollars at a 1 to 2 ratio, and stretch this investment for nursing students by an additional 50 per cent.”

Practical Nursing is the largest single program of study at Assiniboine. Since 1975, more than 4,200 individuals have graduated from nursing programs offered by the college.

The foundation supports the social, economic and emotional well-being of children and youth so they can be healthy, safe and independent contributors to Canadian society.