Laurier donors make life easier for students facing emergencies

Thanks to generous support from more than 1,000 donors since its creation a decade ago, the Leanne Holland Brown Student Emergency Fund is a vital resource for Laurier students experiencing unexpected extensive food insecurity, major housing crises, tragic family events, ongoing job insecurity and other significant extenuating circumstances. 

Through direct funding and grocery gift cards, 33 students on Laurier’s Brantford campus received emergency relief in the 2022/23 academic year. This represents a 30% increase in need, and more than $30,000 given by Laurier donors. 

Laurier’s Waterloo campus also saw a significant increase in the number of students supported by the Student Emergency Fund in 2022/23. 86 students received direct funding with a combined total of $105,000. This is a 41% increase from the previous year. 

“We continue to be extremely grateful to the Laurier community for your generosity and care,” says Andrea Dalimonte, Student Care & Support manager for Laurier’s Brantford campus. “Every day we see the real impact of these funds – this emergency funding gives students breathing room to get back on their feet. This is instrumental in helping them continue their academic studies during very difficult and challenging circumstances.” 

This fund was renamed to honour the memory of former Dean of Students Leanne Holland Brown in 2020. Leanne’s passion for student wellness and success was instrumental in establishing the Student Emergency Fund in 2013. Donors to the Leanne Holland Brown Student Emergency Fund are not only showing students that they can rely on the Laurier community in their time of greatest need, but also continuing Leanne’s legacy of love, inspiration, leadership and impact. 

If you would like to make the difference for Laurier students facing financial crisis, please consider making a donation to the Leanne Holland Brown Student Emergency Fund today.