When Pat Israel first learned about the opportunity to create a scholarship at Centennial College, she jumped at the chance to help students benefit from the same program that changed the trajectory of her own life.
A 1972 Social Service Worker graduate, Pat says the program paved the way to a career steeped in activism for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.
“The skills I learned in the Social Service Worker program have always helped me,” she says. “My field placements were amazing; I worked with a disability group and got to meet other disabled adults who were activists – people I had never had an opportunity to meet before.”
Pat, who has a disability, says that her field placement colleagues inspired her to reflect on the challenges she faced as a disabled person – including a lack of accessibility in schools and ramped curbs for wheelchair access – and commit to making change.
“After graduating from Centennial, I worked with a number of different disability groups and other community-based organizations supporting the needs of marginalized populations,” she says. “I was proud to help contribute to major advances for the disabled community in Toronto, including successfully advocating for accessibility infrastructure and housing and income supports for disabled people.”
Pat is proud of her Centennial education, which she says equipped her with the practical skills she needed to succeed in her field. That’s why, when she first learned about Centennial’s scholarship program while reading the College’s alumni magazine, Ascent, she immediately knew she wanted to get involved.
“Right away, I knew that was something I’d love to be part of, but I wasn’t sure I could afford it,” she says. “But in speaking with the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement, I realized that creating a scholarship is much more affordable than most people think.”
Although it had been years since Pat had been involved with Centennial, she quickly set up a scholarship for Social Service Worker students who have a disability. She hopes her annual gift of education will support students who are looking to not only help people, but create systemic change.
“The social services field presents so many opportunities to create fundamental change beyond simply helping people day-to-day, which is equally as important,” she says. “I would love to see the students I’m supporting find ways to transform the system so that more people are lifted out of poverty or empowered to reach their greatest potential.”
As a disability rights activist, Pat also hopes her scholarship will help change damaging narratives about the community while encouraging others to consider joining her.
“I want people to see that a disabled person is giving back,” she says. “We are often viewed as people who need help, but just like anyone else, disabled people can be strong and giving. And beyond that, I want students to know people out there care enough to help them pursue their dreams.”
You can join Pat by becoming a scholarship donor today! To learn more about giving the gift of education, please click here or contact Linda Barlow at lbarlow@centennialcollege.ca or 416-289-5000 ext. 8849.