Your donations helped Julia study interior design to create beautiful homes
Being recognized as an exemplary student is an honour for anyone, but it was especially poignant for Julia. At Humber College’s annual commencement ceremony, Julia was awarded for her outstanding work in the school’s interior design program.
Julia was eight when she moved into her foster mom’s house with support from the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS). Building a new life meant making new friends and adapting to a new environment, which can be extremely challenging for kids.
Finding community after moving to a safe home
Discovering the Minecraft community helped. An online video game, Minecraft challenges players to use their imaginations to build worlds and scenes while making friends in the process.
“[Minecraft] was a place where I could connect and play with new friends. It allowed me to be creative and have fun.” How creative? Julia explained, “I love challenges, so I made a ‘toilet’ out of square blocks to show my friends it could be done!”
Encouraged by her foster mom
When her foster mom realized Minecraft was sparking Julia’s creativity, she began encouraging her to consider the fields of architecture and interior design. Julia joined a dual credit program at her high school and Sheridan College to create her portfolio.
In Grade 12, Julia was accepted into Humber College’s prestigious interior design program. After her CCAS case worker helped her complete the scholarship application from the Catholic Children’s Aid Foundation (CCAF), Julie was granted a scholarship for her entire program at Humber.
“The scholarship meant I could focus on my studies,” says Julia “I was not worried about how I could afford to follow my dream.”
Julia received an award for excellence in designing a fictional building on Queen St. W. to support kids aged 12 to 14 to pursue careers in art. “It was difficult to access an art career in high school. I hope my project can become a reality for kids who are at an impressionable age and need support.”
To college and first career thanks to scholarships
Julia is grateful to be realizing her dreams thanks to the support and encouragement she received from her foster mom, her online community, the CCAS and donors to the CCAF.
Upon graduating, she was immediately hired by the company that sponsored her co-op placement at Humber College. How fitting that, after moving to a safe home, Julia is helping others thrive in beautiful environments.
Read more stories about impactful CCAF programs.
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