Karen Davis Scholarship
Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. (Kiwanis Homes) has established the Karen Davis Scholarship to be awarded to a person or persons residing in a Kiwanis Homes housing unit, wishing to pursue post-secondary education. The scholarship is available to any qualifying student, who are or will be enrolled full-time in a degree or diploma program at a recognized publicly funded Canadian university or college during the current calendar year. The scholarship(s) will be a cash award of up to $1,000 in total and will be awarded annually.
WHO IS KAREN DAVIS
Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. in 1982. At the time of her retirement on April 30, 2014 she had completed 32 years of continuous service with Kiwanis Homes ultimately retiring as the Executive Director.
Under her leadership Kiwanis Homes solidified its reputation as an important and respected member of the Hamilton social housing network.
In addition to her role as Executive Director of Kiwanis Homes, Karen consistently demonstrated her commitment to bettering our community through her active participation with many committees and organizations operating in the Hamilton region. Her contributions have gone far beyond the housing sector. A few of her accomplishments include:
- Previous Board Member of the North Hamilton Community Health Centre
- Previous member of the resident selection committee for Hamilton Habitat for Humanity
- Previous Board members of The Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton
- Previous Board Member of the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) in addition to participating on a number of committees
- Previous committee member of the Community Consultation Committee on Social Housing
- Previous community member during the Joint Local Transfer Plan-downloading of social housing
- Previous Chair of the Board of the Community Housing Access Network
- Previous Chair of the Board of the Community Housing Registry
- First Female member of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton East
- Social Housing sector representative to the Hamilton Housing & Homelessness Action Planning committee
AWARD CRITERIA
- Eligibility is limited to the tenants of a Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. housing unit whose name appears on the most recent lease.
- The household tenant account must be in good standing at the time of receipt of the scholarship.
- The scholarship is available to any qualifying student, who will be enrolled full-time (minimum 60% or greater course load) in a degree or diploma program at a recognized publicly funded Canadian university or college. Successful applicants prevented by disability from registering full-time must also provide a statutory declaration to that effect, and will be reimbursed for the cost of attaining the statutory declaration upon production of a receipt.
AWARD PROCESS
The recipient(s) of the Karen Davis Scholarship will be chosen by a selection panel comprised of two representatives of Kiwanis Homes, and up to three members at large. The panel will choose the award recipient(s) based on a personal interview with the applicant and an evaluation of the applicant’s written submissions. Points will be awarded based on the following criteria:
- Demonstrating a commitment to community service through volunteerism and/or employment. (worth 50/100 points)
- Demonstration of academic achievement in his/her most recent educational pursuits (worth 20/100)
- Demonstration of financial need (worth 30/100)
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
We are now accepting applications for the 2024 Karen Davis Scholarship. The deadline for receipt of applications is December 31, 2024.
- Applicants are required to submit a completed application. Karen Davis Scholarship application forms can be obtained from the Kiwanis Homes office at 281 Queenston Rd. Hamilton ON L8K 1G9 or online by clicking here.
- A personal statement of no more than 500 words describing the following:
- Personal goals;
- Educational goals;
- Community/volunteer/work experiences; and
- How this award will assist you in achieving your goals.
- A copy of all academic transcripts;
- Two letters of reference from a friend, neighbor, employer, community leader or teacher, highlighting your achievements and explaining why you should win the award.