Serving with Pride
2SLGBTQ+
Scholarship Program
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Purpose: To honour a police, corrections or criminal justice student (or in training) who has made a significant positive impact with their peers and/or greater community as a leader in 2SLGBTQ+, equality, diversity and inclusion and; to provide financial aid to students studying within the policing, corrections or criminal justice fields.
Duration: Indeterminate
Funding: $1500 awarded annually (in April).
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Funding provided by Serving with Pride through various fund-raising activities with the majority being raised through the annual Gala & Awards Night and sponsorship from community partners.
Application Process & Criteria:
One scholarship award of $1500 will be awarded annually to the applicant who best meets the criteria;
A police, corrections or criminal justice student or in training as a new recruit for a police agency, corrections, or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and who has made a significant positive impact with their peers and/or greater community as a leader in 2SLGBTQ+, equality, diversity and inclusion and; who requires financial aid to assist in their education and/or training.
Who can apply for the scholarship?
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Applicants must be a enrolled in a Ontario-based police, corrections or criminal justice students program or training as a new recruit with a police agency, corrections, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and be 17-26 years of age.
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A 500 word essay that describes the community service or volunteer work that you have done in the area of 2SLGBTQ+, equality, diversity and inclusion and the reason(s) why you do them;
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A list of academic and/or non-academic awards and achievements;
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Proof of part-time or full-time enrollment in a post-secondary school or training in police, corrections, CBSA or criminal justice studies;
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Proof of age;
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A brief explanation of financial need. (do not disclose personal financial data or information) - provide information about what educational costs the scholarship money will be used for. Receipts for educational costs will be required from the scholarship winner; and
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Two letters of recommendation from persons not related to you, teachers, advisors, employers, etc. that authenticate your activities and positive impact in the community.
Send an MS Word or PDF document(s) with all requirements via email to awards@servingwithpride.ca with the subject line: Scholarship application
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The recipient will be selected by the Serving with Pride Board of Directors, from among all applications based on submission package and criteria.
The 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Scholarship winner will be announced at our AGM taking place in April of every year. Watch this page for upcoming diary dates and schedules.
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All applicants will be contacted with the results.
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Our 2021 Recipient, Kara Lin
In her own words:
Growing up in an incredibly Asian and Christian household, I was always taught homosexuality was a sin and that it was an undisputed fact that I was a girl. Not only were the religious standards there to keep me in check, but the Asian academic standards were there too. I should not complain too much though: maintaining honour roll every year in high school, receiving a certificate of Business of Manners, receiving and renewing my First Aid CPR certificate, etc.
However, within the past two years I have had the chance to discover myself and the chance to explore different ways of expressing myself, whether it was through makeup, clothing or pronouns, and can comfortably express myself as bisexual non-binary person. Due to the pandemic, and that I was not totally sure of my sexuality nor who I was at the time, I had very little chance to go out into the community to participate in events. Regardless of that, I still try my absolute hardest to be a welcoming and safe figure for those in the community.
Ever since elementary school, I have always been extremely interested in the criminal justice system; for the longest time, I aspired to be a police officer. This all changed with the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. I had really questioned if I, a queer female bodied person, wanted to take part in the corrupt system and put myself at risk with the different power dynamics at play. I thought about it a lot, replaying the saying “Be the Change you wish to see in the World”. That is when I had decided I would pursue Criminology and Feminist Gender Studies at the University of Ottawa. This way I would get a chance to still follow my passion of criminal justice studies while also learning about the sociology of the gender divide at the heart of it all, the capital of Canada. As a student in French Immersion, Ottawa is the perfect place for me to hone my skills and with Parliament situated there as well, I hope to find a connection into the system that way.
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Our 2020 Recipient, Jesse Castle
In his own words:
My journey as an advocate for the LGBTQ2S+ community began when I first came to terms with my sexuality. Assigned female at birth, I came out as a lesbian on New Years Day, 2014.
For me, coming out was the final acceptance of my own feelings, and a declaration of unapologetic pride for others to see. I was the first openly gay female at my high school in Penticton, British Columbia, and on a small-scale became a trailblazer and beacon of hope for younger individuals exploring the sticky topic of sexuality.
Having a primarily older demographic in town, my decision to be my most transparent, authentic self was a statement for others to watch and decide for themselves if they felt "safe" to come out.
Seeing as there were very few openly "out" individuals, my initial experience of coming out was daunting at best, and I realized that I needed to step up and into a leadership role for the greater good of those around me.
Several years later, in Ontario and after struggling with body dysphoria for many years, I finally accepted myself as I truly was; a Two-Spirit individual. On Halloween Day of 2017, I began my public transition from Jessica to Jesse, and started my first shot of testosterone.
I was incredibly scared and feared that I would make life harder for myself, especially with the Ontario College School Strike happening and knowing I would have to explain to people what was going on in regards to changes they'd see in me both physically and mentally.
I decided it was best at this time to withdraw from class and go back home to British Columbia to be with family. My family was initially reluctant, but they came to terms with my identity change as my physical appearance slowly masculinized.
During the first year of my transition and the years following, I posted on my social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) with updates on my transition including feelings, medical procedures, things to come, and both positive and negative impacts and effects in all regards.
I wanted to make sure that everyone who wanted to learn about transitioning and transgender folk would have an opportunity to receive that education on a first-hand account by being a visible representative for the community.
I also was openly "out" when I returned to the Police Foundations program at Conestoga College, allowing students to become comfortable with me, as for many, I was their first encounter with a transgender individual.
I have received numerous messages over the years from individuals across Canada thanking me for being open, honest, and patient. I have volunteered both at a men's shelter in Kitchener as well as tutoring a girl with a cognitive disability to ensure her success in her educational pursuits and in life.
I believe that hatred and intolerance are taught and can be unlearned with the right approach and attitude. Education is the best approach, and thankfully teaching and mentoring are two skills in which I excel.
My dream and calling is to become a Constable with the Peel Regional Police and continue to evolve into the person I am meant to be.
I know that the path ahead will not be easy, but as my father has always told me, "Tough times don't last, but tough people do." ~ Jesse Castle
Our 2019 Recipient, Courtney Ulrick
"Be Loud, Be Proud and Be You" says 23 year old Courtney Ulrick, a student of Protection, Security and Investigation program at Georgian College. Ulrick, who identifies as female and an 'out and proud lesbian', strives to share her story of triumphs and challenges while being out since the age of 15 to her friends and family.
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Ulrick says she enjoys assisting those in their times of need, often providing LGBTQ2 youth with resources to assist them in their own personal journeys. 'Allowing everyone to be respected and included regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation is important to me' Ulrick says and has spent much of her time giving back to her local community, doing as much as she can for the greater cause. Ulrick says that 'being a part of the LGBTQ2 community has allowed me to connect with so many individuals from all backgrounds...' and she puts herself out there to be a beacon for those who need a little motivation.
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Ulrick hopes to become a member of the Canada Border Services Agency after she finishes her program and continue her activism and community work through the lens of the criminal justice system. "I am an activist, I am proud of who I am and who I will become, and I wouldn't change anything about myself."