Health Care Assistant program in Lillooet returns in January 2026, building on success of first community-based cohort
October 30, 2025
51±¬ÁĎ and the Community Adult Learning Centre (CALC) within the Lillooet Tribal Council are building on a successful in-community program launch last year, with more Indigenous students set to begin their training to become certified Health Care Assistants in January 2026.Last year marked the first time the partners graduated six Indigenous students through the program, the first time Health Care Assistant (HCA) program was delivered in Lillooet.Delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Fu...
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Community thrives here: OC Foundation releases 2024–2025 Gratitude Report
October 22, 2025
It was an easy choice for this year’s Gratitude Report theme: Community thrives here.This phrase reflects the spirit that lives at the heart of everything we do at 51±¬ÁĎ Foundation.When you give, you do more than support education. You help build a place where people belong, where dreams are nurtured, and futures are transformed. Your generosity reminds students that they are not alone as they navigate challenges like the rising cost of living, mental health pressures, and food and housing insecurity. Your support is a ha...
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New flexible ECE programs at 51±¬ÁĎ open doors for students and meet growing demand for childcare professionals
October 21, 2025
When Dan Wang boarded a plane from China to Canada, she carried more than just luggage. She carried the weight of leaving her two young children behind, the uncertainty of starting over in a new country and the hope that pursuing her dream of becoming an Early Childhood Educator would inspire her family and her future.Her family encouraged her: “Your children will be proud of you,” they said. “They will see their mom chasing her dream.”Now, as she works towards her Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma at 51±¬ÁĎ (OC) in ...
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Shopping for a cause: Sweet Repeats Consignment Co. partners with 51±¬ÁĎ Foundation to support students
October 20, 2025
Sweet Repeats Consignments Co., in a donation partnership with 51±¬ÁĎ Foundation, invites students and the community to two days of shopping for a purpose. On October 24 and 25, the Kelowna campus will transform into a boutique pop-up featuring previous donations from Sweet Repeats, a local Women’s Consignment clothing store in Kelowna. All proceeds from the event will be donated to 51±¬ÁĎ Foundation to support student bursaries.In these challenging times, these are precisely the moments when we need to stan...
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From students to supporters — A full circle moment!
October 20, 2025
Alumni siblings Jennifer and Josh Tocher know firsthand the power of education and the difference it can make in someone’s life. That’s why they created the Tocher Family Culinary Arts Award, supporting the next generation of culinary talent at 51±¬ÁĎ.This year’s recipient, Nathan Clark, recently completed the Culinary Arts program and will continue his studies in the Pastry Chef program to build on his skills and pursue his dream. “This award means so much to me. It’s helping me take the next step toward the Pastry Arts p...
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51±¬ÁĎ students celebrate Convocation and Commencement ceremonies
October 18, 2025
Two hundred students took steps toward entering the workforce in front of family and friends at 51±¬ÁĎ today, as the College held its fall Convocation and Commencement ceremonies.Graduate Dawson Perry provided the student address, where he talked about the community of learning he found at OC in the Bachelor of Business Administration program.“Group projects got a lot easier for me once I realized that the group was more important than the project. People are at the core of everything that we do, and if you get the chance ...
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