Creating a better future for communities through research

Yearly scholarship award

Helmut Braun memorial award

"Helping to make post-secondary school accessible"

Helmut Braun (1958-2001) CCBR community researcher.

The Centre for Community Based Research and Waterloo Region Self-Help have established the Helmut Braun Memorial Fund. The fund is administered by the Mennonite Foundation of Canada.

[Dowload current application details here]

This memorial fund was established in 2001 in memory of Helmut Braun, a local social activist, community researcher and an advocate for the rights of people with mental health and other life struggles. The fund will contribute 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.

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.

  1. 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

  2. Primary residence of applicant is in Waterloo Region

  3. Need for financial assistance

  4. 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 30th. The award(s) will be announced on August 30th every year.

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
Email: general@communitybasedresearch.ca

Donations for this fund will be gratefully received. If you would like to donate to the Helmut Braun Memorial Fund please make your cheque payable to the "Mennonite Foundation of Canada" with "Helmut Braun Memorial Fund" written in the memo line.

Please send donations to:

The Mennonite Foundation of Canada
50 Kent Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1
Telephone: (519) 745-7821 Fax: (519) 745-8940
Toll free Telephone: 1-888-212-7759
E-mail:mfceast@mennofoundation.ca

Helmut Braun Scholarship Award 2009 Recipient

Amanda MacOwan is this year's winner of the Helmut Braun Scholarship Award. Amanda was selected by the Centre's Scholarship Award committee from among 19 other well-deserving applicants. The final decision was difficult.

Amanda is working towards her four-year honours degree in Renison University' College's Social Development Studies (SDS) program at the University of Waterloo. Her family background and experiences only contribute more to her passion for social justice in general and especially in the field of mental health.