March 8, 2017

ATB has continued its history of supporting students at Medicine Hat College (MHC) with a recent gift of $6,000. From that gift, $5,000 will establish a new social entrepreneurship fund with the remaining dollars allocated to emergency bursaries.

Jerri Gainer, manager at the 2^nd St branch explains, “ATB Financial wants to be here for Albertans. That means being here to support individuals as they become entrepreneurs, and being here for them as a whole by placing importance on, not only the economic bottom line, but the social and environmental impacts of an initiative, too.”

At MHC, the social entrepreneurship funds will be allocated through the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC). “The EDC offers resources to college students and alumni who are looking to build or improve their businesses. We help create future leaders,” says Christie Dick, EDC project officer. “Along with information seminars, we run one-on-one sessions and in some cases, help our clients secure funding. The money from the social entrepreneurship fund may start small, but can make a big impact.”

Applications for this project have been open to students, student groups, program advisors and faculty. The successful projects will be awarded $1000 and one month to execute their ideas. At month’s end they will present a wrap up report to the panel for a chance to win an extra $500.

Representatives from ATB Financial, Cheryl Dzerdz and Jerri Gainer, present donation cheque to Tracy Stroud of MHC.

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ATB has supported the emergency bursary program for a number of years. “It was important for us to continue that support. If you’ve been a student, you know how tough it can be, and especially in this economy, we wanted to be able help students when they really need it most,” says Gainer.

“Unlike scholarships, the emergency bursaries are available for students who are in financial strain due to unforeseen circumstance at any point throughout the academic year,” says Carla Pickering, financial aid assistant at MHC, “It’s not a fund you want students to have to use, but you sure are happy it’s there when you come across a student who needs the help.”

Both components of this gift speak to the core priorities of ATB: supporting Albertans where they live, work and play. And, where they study.

Throughout the 2015-16 academic year over 400 Medicine Hat College students were supported with almost $600,000 in MHC awards. Anyone interested in helping support students through donations are encouraged to contact the MHC Foundation to learn about the opportunities available to invest in our students, our college and our community.

Learn more by contacting Linda Tooth, manager, fund development (ltooth@mhc.ab.ca or 403-529-3897), or Jenna Williams, community relations officer (jwilliams@mhc.ab.ca or 403- 502-8995).