Yearly scholarship award

Helmut Braun Memorial Award

"Helping to make post-secondary school accessible"

The Centre for Community Based Research established the Helmut Braun Memorial Award in 2001, in memory of Helmut Braun, a local social activist, a CCBR community researcher and an advocate for the rights of people with mental health and other life struggles. The fund contributes to the cost of post-secondary education for a student pursuing studies in any of the following areas:

Social justice, peace and conflict resolution
Community development
Cross-cultural issues
Community research and social change

Awards will be given yearly to one or two students in need of financial assistance. Each award will range between $1000 - $2000.

Donations for this fund will be gratefully received.

Donate using PayPal:

The scholarship is administered by the Mennonite Foundation of Canada.

Or donate to the Helmut Braun Memorial Fund by making a cheque payable to the "Mennonite Foundation of Canada" with "Helmut Braun Memorial Fund" written in the memo line. Mail it to:

The Mennonite Foundation of Canada, Stewardship Consultant
50 Kent Avenue
Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1

Application Process

All students interested in applying for the award should write a two to three page letter expressing their desire for the award and rationalizing their fit with the following criteria.

Acceptance into a post-secondary program in any of the following areas:
- Social justice, peace and conflict resolution
- Community development
- Cross-cultural issues
- Community research and social change
Primary residence of applicant is in Waterloo Region
Need for financial assistance
Vision for how their education will promote the wellness of communities, and better integrate people who do not have equal access to power and opportunity

Application letters should be sent (by mail or e-mail) to the selection committee no later than July 31st. The award(s) will be announced on August 30th every year.

Download current application details here

Helmut Braun Memorial Award Selection Committee:

Joanna Ochocka and Rich Janzen

The Centre for Community Based Research

73 King Street W., Suite 300, Kitchener ON N2G 1A7

Telephone: (519) 741-1318; Fax: (519) 741-8262

general@communitybasedresearch.ca

Helmut Braun Scholarship Award 2010 Recipient

Paul Stoia was selected by the Centre's Scholarship Award Committee from among 38 other well-deserving applicants. Paul is a resident of Waterloo Region who is working towards a degree in Urban Studies at York University. His family background and experiences only contribute more to his passion for social justice in general and especially in the field of mental health. He also hopes to use his talent as an opera singer in his work.