Peterborough, ON – March 8th, 2026 – YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Education Awards Committee welcomes applications for 2026 Hazel Education Bursary.

YWCA Hazel Education Bursary is intended to help women who have experienced gender-based violence reach their goals through education or training.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Board of Directors, through the Education Awards Committee, and with the generosity of donors in our community, offers bursaries between $500 and $2,500 to women who:

have experienced barriers related to the impact of violence and abuse;
have a dream to strengthen their economic security;
are a resident of Peterborough or Haliburton County;
seek to further their education or develop skills.

Hazel’s Legacy

Since 1998, the YWCA has honoured Hazel’s vision of helping women pursue their dreams and overcoming barriers related to their experiences of violence and abuse. Hazel was a consumer, advisor, and volunteer of several community services. Hazel passed away in 1996, after a long struggle with breast cancer. Soon afterwards an education fund was created by friends and admirers to honour this very special woman.

“ I am honoured to have been a recipient of the Hazel Education Bursary, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share my experience. The Bursary eased the financial strain and provided me the opportunity to focus solely on my studies and make the most of my course certification. Thank you for believing in me and for helping make this chapter of my life possible.”

If you are interested in applying for the Hazel bursary, please complete the online application.

Applications Due: 4:00pm Friday May 1st, 2026

To learn more about YWCA Hazel Education Bursary, or to apply, please visit http://ywcapeterborough.org/get-help/education/ or contact Emily Jensen, Executive Assistant at 705-743-3526 ext. 120 or ejensen@ywcapeterborough.org.