Supporting youth to grow the neighbourhood house movement and build healthy communities
For more than 40 years, Elmer Helm worked with the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of British Columbia (ANHBC) to make a positive difference in his community by acting on the belief that, when people work together to strengthen their neighbourhoods, everyone benefits.
Elmer knows first-hand all the amazing youth that engage in neighbourhood houses across British Columbia. Whether they participate, volunteer, or work at a neighbourhood house, it is all a part of growing the neighbourhood house movement and contributing to healthy communities.
In the spirit of Elmer’s dedication to the youth, seniors, and families of Vancouver through ANHBC, this scholarship was set up in his name. It aims to support the youth of BC neighbourhood houses to pursue higher education.
What is the Elmer Helm Youth Fund?
Each year, the fund provides financial assistance to deserving students who wish to pursue or continue post-secondary training in the artistic, academic, or technical fields. It is the aim of the fund to make such education possible for students who may otherwise not have the financial means.
Up to eight Elmer Helm Youth Scholarships will be presented to participants, volunteers or staff of a BC neighbourhood house. Each recipient will receive $1,500.00 in late August.
Who is eligible?
The fund is open to young people who:
- Are residents of BC,
- Have been accepted into or continuing post-secondary training in an artistic, academic or technical field,
- And have been significantly involved in a neighbourhood house, through program participation, volunteering, or as an employee.
The applicant should demonstrate a significant contribution to the life of their community to exemplify the neighbourhood house values of community service.
Students who receive this award are welcome to re-apply each year that they are registered in post-secondary training or education. However, priority will not be given to past-recipients, and these applications will be reviewed alongside all applications received in a given year.
Application Procedure
Please email the application package, including the Application Contact Information Form, to scholarships@alexandrafoundation.org as a single PDF file with the following information:
- A completed Contact Information Form
- A one-page letter outlining:
- Your involvement and impact at a neighbourhood house
- Your personal and career goals
- An explanation of why you believe you should be selected for the award
- Documentation regarding academic standing and other accomplishments, i.e. transcript(s).
- Three letters of reference, with at least one from a staff member of a neighbourhood house; the other two can be from members of the community, a workplace, or school
Deadline: June 30th at 5:00pm
2023 Elmer Helm Recipients
Congratulations to the following students on receiving the 2023 Elmer Helm Youth Scholarship!
Caleb W.
Cody M.
Hargun M.
Jasleen B.
Laiba K.
Navindi D S.
Rachel D.
Rachel L.