Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Tuition program proves its worth

Former foster child thriving at U of W

By: Nick Martin

Posted: 10/9/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Janna Fowles: �very positive message.� (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

A single mother who dropped out of school after spending half her life in a series of foster homes -- a likely candidate to graduate from university?

For sure.

"I want to send a very positive message to youth coming out of care -- I did it, you can do it," Janna Fowles said.

Fowles is in her third year of a combined arts and education program at the University of Winnipeg that will eventually put her at the front of a classroom teaching in a First Nations school.

She's the oldest student among 24 U of W students formerly in care whose tuition is being waived in a new scholarship program launched this fall.

The province is also covering textbooks, housing and meals through grants from Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief.

"U of W being there for you is so amazing. All of us, we are so grateful," said Fowles.

"I was in care for a very long time," said Fowles, who lived in and went to various schools in Winnipeg, Brandon and Ste. Anne. "It was July of 1996 when I first went into care. I was 10. I bounced foster home to foster home, city to city.

"I remained in care until the day I turned 18."

Fowles had just started Grade 12 when she became an adult, no longer in care, no longer supported by the province. She worked an overnight shift in a fast-food restaurant while going to school. But after three weeks and realizing she couldn't do both, she chose a paycheque over school.

Forward to 2008: "I was pregnant with my first child and that got me to go back to school," Fowles said.

School was the Aboriginal Community Campus on Higgins Avenue, where she finished Grade 12 and was inspired to go to university.

Fowles received several scholarships, arranged student loans and got help from the Aboriginal Community Campus. "I applied for everything I could."

Getting ready for third year, the 26-year-old Fowles heard about U of W's new program, which was supposed to be for only 10 students a year, and only for students 18 to 20 years old entering their first year.

That didn't stop Fowles.

"I applied and I got it," she said.

Fowles studies toward her two degrees three semesters a year -- rather than two semesters a year as most students do -- so her annual tuition waiver is worth about $5,000.

The province's assistance covers about 70 per cent of her other school and living costs.

"We are able to pick up our books and supplies. We're told we're going to be getting a laptop," she said. "It makes an amazing difference. It means the world."

Her sons, four-year-old Isaiah and one-year-old Immanuel, are both in the U of W Students' Association daycare.

"I want to do big things," said Fowles, who's specializing in middle years education and majoring in history in her arts program.

She'll teach "anywhere I can get a job, hopefully on a reserve."

"I definitely want to go into aboriginal history -- in school now, there is no aboriginal history."

Fowles mentors younger students through the Métis Child and Family Services and she wants to make sure young people in care know about the U of W program so they don't despair of being able to go on to university, regardless of their circumstances.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 9, 2012 A7

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.