Ozanam Education Fund Committee

Committee Members:
Chair: Jere Hartnett, St. Patrick’s Conf. Burlington
Alan Read, St. Paul the Apostle Conf. Burlington
Jim Ferguson St. Andrew’s Conf. Oakville
Margaret LaFontaine St. Raphael’s Conf. Burlington
Maria Scattolon St. Francis Xavier Conf. Hamilton
Cathie Sutcliffe St. Patrick’s Conf. Burlington
Chris Lenover St. Raphael’s Conf. Burlington
Helen O’Brien St. Patrick’s Conf. Burlington
Frank Marcantonio St. Raphael’s Conf. Burlington

Mandate and Responsibilities:
The Ozanam Education Fund Committee provides educational funding for individuals or families who lack the financial resources necessary to sustain educational programs that could provide the knowledge and skills needed to obtain a decent job. This allows them to escape the cycle of poverty. The Funds are used by qualified individuals for tuition, lab fees, computer equipment, trade tools, accommodation, food, transportation, day care or any combination of these barriers to successful completion of appropriate educational programs.

The Fund works on a referral basis. Vincentians working in Conferences in Ontario identify individuals and/or families struggling to obtain further education or training due to lack of financial resources. The Committee requires the referring Conference and the applicant to provide complete financial information and background for the application.

The Committee is responsible for reviewing applications, awarding funds, and collaborating with the Conference/Council sponsors. The applications and supporting submissions (letters of reference, application forms, and budget work sheet) are prepared by the Vincentian Conference/Council sponsor (s) and the applicant (s). All applications are reviewed by committee members who have no conflict of interest in the application and successful applicants are awarded funds based on the available budget of the Ozanam Education Fund. When awards are made the Ozanam funds are provided to the appropriate SSVP Conference/Council for local administration, reporting and follow up on the applicant’s progress and success.

Activity during 2025:
The Ozanam Educational Fund Committee met regularly 7 times in person and once virtually in 2025. The review process and communications among members is done primarily electronically. The following activities were accomplished:

• We reviewed our Neighbour-In-Need records resulting in the following profile: female 80 %, male 20%, single parents 25%, students from single parent families 42%, Applicants with disabilities (physical, PTSD, MID, LD, Autism) 10%, Refugee claimants 5%, OW recipient/Family Recipients 15%, ODSP Recipient/ Family Recipients 15%.
• We reviewed 28 applications from sponsors. In this review process we have discussions with sponsors and, in many cases, are able to suggest additional help for their applicants.
• We made 17 awards for a total of $47,000. This was 40% lower than 2024 primarily because we did not receive funding from ONRC in 2025.
• Due to this reduction in funding and the continued increase in demand our committee spent considerable effort on fund raising. This effort paid off and by year end we were able to make additional awards in early 2026.
• We are in a better financial position going into 2026; however, we still rely heavily on Conferences and Council pass- ups to the fund.
• We reviewed and updated our Committee procedures and documentation including updates to our ONRC website. The objective was to clarify procedures for the sponsors.

Focus of activity for 2026:

• The 2026 focus remains on fund raising in order to sustain the Ozanam Education program.
• We will not be receiving funding from ONRC in 2026 so we continue to reach out to Conferences and Councils to pass-up funds directly to the Ozanam Fund.
• We encourage Conferences to organize fund raising activities for the Fund and to contact their local CWL and KoC and parishioners for help.
• We are soliciting outside Foundations, Corporations, Institutions, and Individuals for help.
• Donations can be directed to Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – Ontario Regional Council PO Box 23016 Brantford PO Main, ON N3T 6K4. Cheques should be made out to Society of St. Vincent de Paul - ONRC add “Ozanam Education Fund” in the memo line. You can also donate through the CanadaHelps website Donate Now - SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL, ONTARIO REGIONAL COUNCIL
• Since we are in a better financial position in 2026, we are encouraging all Vincentians to look for situations with your neighbours in need where financial help is needed for education. The application process is provided on our ONRC website and our team is ready to help you with the process. That financial boost at the right time to someone in need of getting an education can mean a path out of poverty and a positive, life-changing experience.
• In 2026 we are looking forward to providing even more educational help to people trying to escape poverty. If you are interested in helping, please contact us.

Jere Hartnett Chair ozanamfund@ssvp.on.ca
Ozanam Education Fund Committee of SSVP Ontario Regional Council

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