Securing the success of South Asian youth - CORSA Foundation’s gift to Kwantlen’s SPARK program

Sun, Sep 13, 2009

For immediate release

September 14, 2009


(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) Two organizations working to improve the lives of Canadian South Asians have come together in support of each other. The SPARK program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University has received a $10,000 gift from the CORSA Foundation.

Both organizations exist to ensure that resources are available for South Asian youth to build successful lives. Concerned about youth crime that exists in the community, CORSA and SPARK recognize and support the positive impact that education can have on an individual’s life, prosperity and contribution to society.

CORSA (Central Organizing Resource for South Asians) is a not-for-profit whose aim is to raise funds to support the success of South Asian youth. The SPARK program strives to help bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary. Of SPARK’s 200 enrolments, 76% are identified as South Asian. Many face barriers such as socio-economic challenges or being the first in their families to attend post-secondary.

CORSA Director Bud Patel praised the work of the SPARK Foundation. “CORSA exists to support a variety of youth-oriented organizations who work towards helping youth become socially-responsible adults and role-model citizens of tomorrow. SPARK works tirelessly to accomplish this by providing students access to university.”

CORSA’s gift will create an endowment which will provide funding towards financial awards for SPARK students to help cover the cost of tuition.

“We are honoured to receive this gift from CORSA, an organization that is working towards the same goals as SPARK,” said Amarjit Samra, President of the SPARK Education Foundation. “This partnership has occurred out of mutual caring for future generations.”

Kwantlen Polytechnic University Chancellor Arvinder Bubber echoed Samra’s statement by saying that it was “very encouraging and a positive example of the South Asian community coming together to support youth.”

For more information about CORSA, visit corsafoundation.com or to learn more about Kwantlen’s SPARK program, visit kwantlen.ca/foundation

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For more information about SPARK, contact:
Jeff Norris
Executive Director, Foundation
Tel: 604.599.2264
jeff.norris@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about the CORSA Foundation, contact:
Bud Patel
Director
Tel: 604.224.1304
bpatel@stgeorges.bc.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Peter Chevrier
Director, Marketing and Communications
Tel: 604.599.2286
peter.chevrier@kwantlen.ca