The Harry Paikin District 21 Student Benevolent Fund is something that all of our members should know about.

This fund is a bursary that provides financial assistance to underprivileged students attending secondary schools in the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

Over the years, this bursary has provided financial assistance to many students who have been struggling financially. The bursary has helped students purchase school supplies, shoes, clothing, winter coats, boots, and a variety of other items and unexpected expenses.

Typically an application is completed by a guidance counsellor and submitted to the Chair of the Benevolent Fund (Derek Zuccolo). The Chair and trustees review the application and make a decision regarding the suitability of the request and the requested amount of assistance. Approved applications are forwarded to the District 21 Treasurer who then forwards a cheque to the recipient. Assistance is usually a one-time payment of $250.

You can find the application form in the Teachers' Resources section of the site.

This financial assistance has helped to make life for some of our students a little less stressful.