A man in a Fraser Valley prison struggles to complete his degree. It’s part of his correctional plan that he finish, but there’s no money in the system to pay for courses. A female inmate wants to become a drug and alcohol counselor to help others avoid the pitfalls that led her to jail. She just needs a few college courses, but the little money she earns in prison ($6.90 a day) goes for phone calls to stay close to her family. She can’t afford tuition.

 Through the John Howard Society, a humanitarian organization (http://www.johnhowardbc.ca/), Ed Griffin has set up a bursary to help BC inmates with the expenses of higher education. Those who seek education are trying to better themselves. They know that education is the proven way out of crime. You will receive a tax receipt from the John Howard Society, who will in turn present money to the educational institution that the winning inmate has chosen. To donate, simply follow the directions below.

To donate by cheque: Mail to:
John Howard Society of BC,
Attention the Ed Griffin Bursary Committee
763 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC
V5V 3C2

To donate by credit card or interac:
Go to http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s5877
On the second page, Donation Details, be sure to mention “For the Ed Griffin bursary account.”

The Application Process

The John Howard Society of B.C.  will accept applications up until February 1st. Submissions must be addressed to the John Howard Society of BC, Attention the Ed Griffin Bursary Committee, 763 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5V 3C2.Bursary winners will be notified by June 30th. The number of bursaries awarded in any one year is in accordance with the Fund's balance and its governing laws.

The John Howard Society of BC is a registered Canadian non-profit charity created to work within the criminal justice system promoting safe and peaceful communities. 

The John Howard Society of BC and the Ed Griffin Family have established a program to promote, encourage and sponsor the continuing education of individuals who have been incarcerated in the Canadian Correctional System.  To be eligible, the applicant must have participated in educational programs within the Correctional Service of Canada or the British Columbia Provincial Correctional System.  The applicant must be enrolled in a registered educational institution.  Studies may be part- time or full-time. Studies should be directed toward the specific goals of enhancing the individual's literacy and employment skills, and to assist the individual with reintegrating into society as a contributing citizen. 

Application

The bursary application deadline date is February 1st each year.  The selection process is as follows:  all applications received will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Society, or its designate and by a representative of the Ed Griffin Family or its designate. The successful recipients will be announced at the Annual General Meeting of the John Howard Society of BC

Eligibility

Applicants to the Ed Griffin Bursary must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant
• Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in the next academic school year, at a recognized university, community college, technical institute or other post-secondary institution for advanced learning
• Must have participated in educational programs within the Correctional Service of Canada or British Columbia Provincial Correctional System
• Complete and mail the standard, current application as well as submit an essay specifying the reasons why they should be considered for the bursary. This bursary has a special, but not exclusive, interest in creative writing.