Smile Foundation

Applications for the 2024 SMILE bursaries open January 30th

Deadline to Apply is April 30th at 11:59 pm.

• Are you a low-income single mother?
• Are you pursuing post-secondary education or an upgrading course?
• Canadian citizen/permanent resident or currently living in Jamaica

If you answered YES to the above questions a SMILE bursary can help you toward the cost of your tuition and other educational supports.

Click HERE to apply for a SMILE 2024 Bursary

Celebrating Bursary Winners at Our Annual Fundraising Gala

Up to ten $1,000 bursaries are available for each academic year to five recipients in Canada and five in Jamaica. Below is the  list of previous bursary winners.

2023-2024 Bursary Winners

2022-2023 Bursary Winners

1. Ellisa Hammon, Canada: Practical Nursing 
2. Kymara Elliot, Jamaica: Primary Education, BA
3. Shavonne Hecker, Canada: Art & Design, BA

2021-2022 Bursary Winner

1. Deneve Mason Canada: Psychology, BA

2020-2021 Bursary Winners

1. Carleen McBean, Canada: Psychology, BA
2. Jasmine Swimmer, Canada: Public Relations
3. Shannia Alexis, Canada: Pre Health Sciences
4. Currie McIntosh, Jamaica: Business Administration
5. Dannalee Rowe, Jamaica: Law Clerk
6. Kymara Elliot, Jamaica: Primary Education, BA

 2019-2020 Bursary Winners

1. Aaliyah Hackshaw, Canada: Pre Health Sciences

2. Kalaichelvy Atputhalingam, Canada: Social Work

3. Shantelle Cromwell, Canada: Business Administration

4. Lachante Miller, Canada Program: Social Service Worker

5. Lorna Morgan, Jamaica: Teacher Education Program (intermediate division)

6. Sharazarrie McIntosh, Jamaica: Business Administration

7. Zinnijah Guadalupe, Jamaica: Doctor of Medicine Degree Program

2018-2019 Bursary Winners

1. Seymoura Jackson, Canada: Police Foundations Program
2. Effie Pastras, Canada: Early Childhood Education
3. Jasmine Harry, Canada :Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate
4. LeShaune Gayle, Canada: Sociology
5. Janet Kayongo, Canada: Practical Nursing
6. Emilia Juuso, Canada : Gerontology
7. Sylvia Saunders, Jamaica: Counselling/ Leadership
8. Laverne Christie, Jamaica:  Counselling/Leadership

2017-2018 Bursary Winners

1. Cleo-Ann Brown, Jamaica: Psychology
2. Carol Stephens, Canada: Social Services
3. Briana Zabel, Canada: Social Worker

2016-2017 Bursary Winners

1. Alecia Getfield, Jamaica : Business Management
2. Lisa Hughes , Canada : Criminology and Sociology
3. Valenzuela Luzmira, Canada : Gender and Women’s Studies.
4. LaTanya Roberstson, Jamaica : Accounting
5. Cerise Wilson, Canada : Criminology and Justice

2015-2016 Bursary Winners

1. Jalisa Orr, Canada: Child & Youth Worker
2. Denise Jackson, Canada : Social Service Worker
3. Neastine Brown, Jamaica : Nursing
4. Sashalee Dawkins, Jamaica: Food and Housekeeping
5. Novean Nicola Belnavis, Jamaica: Nursing

2014-2015 Bursary Winners

1. Georgia Fullerton, Ajax Canada: Integrated Arts Therapy
2. Natalie Nanton, Toronto Canada: Faculty of Arts
3. Karen Davy, St. Ann Jamaica: Business Administration
4. Georgia Grant, St. Ann Jamaica: Massage Therapy
5. Danette Laws, Prickly Pole Jamaica: Allied Health Care

2011-2012 Bursary Award Winners

1.Charmaine Berbick, Clairmont Jamaica: Hospitality Program, 2012

2.Kimberly Bowie, Clairmont Jamaica: Practical Nursing, 2012

3.Chanta Ann Watson, Clairmont Jamaica: Social Work Program, 2012

4.Sandra Davis, Toronto Canada: Counselling Certificate, 2011

“The SMILE Foundation has been truly instrumental in providing me the opportunity to push forward to my Tertiary level education. I was able to regain the confidence of being a student again, participating in classes again and just being within a University which was once a vague dream.I am currently looking forward to being a third year student which is an exhilarating experience! A special thank you to the SMILE Foundation!”

Kymara Elliott, 

Jamaica Smile Bursary, 2020

Mico University, Primary Education

” I participated in a weekly program for single mother’s last summer. I engaged in various workshops from healthy cooking for children, mindfulness and job searching. This was my first time participating in any type of program for single mothers and I felt an immediate connection with the other participants as well as the facilitators and the Smile Foundation staff. This was so beneficial in the height of the pandemic helping to alleviate the stress of social isolation in my life. Additionally the SMILE foundation ensured participants had access to fresh food weekly. Knowing healthy food would arrive at my doorstep was a stress reliever, saved me time and allowed me to try new recipes. I am thankful for the support and skills I received from the Resilient Single Mothers Program.”

Megan Carver, Program participant

Thriving Through a Pandemic: Resilient Single Mothers Program