The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is providing $250,000 to Olds College in support of on-campus wellness programming.
The five-year financial commitment enables Olds College to offer the RBC wellness sessions, which will feature enhanced counselling and wellness services for all students at Olds College and will provide students with the tools they need to succeed while receiving their education.
“We know in order to offer our students enhanced health and wellness services, we need the support of our industry partners,” says Olds College president Stuart Cullum. “Support from partners who share the same values. Partners who understand that a healthy, vibrant and enthusiastic workforce is critical to the success of our province and country.”
The RBC wellness sessions will include increasing counselling services to students by providing evening group sessions throughout the academic year, as well as providing specialized group counselling sessions for underrepresented student groups such as LGBTQIA+ and international students, as well as topics such as substance abuse and sexual health.
Indigenous cultural awareness and inclusiveness sessions are included, along with respect in school training to raise awareness of — and prevent— bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination at Olds College.
"We are especially proud to support the RBC wellness sessions. This is such an important initiative to help students unlock their greatest potential," said Dennis Small, vice-president of agriculture & commercial markets for central Alberta at RBC.
"Youth need greater access to programming, resources and networks that help them feel confident and optimistic about the future. We hope our support of the RBC wellness sessions lets them know we are, absolutely, there to help them succeed.”
“Having access to on-campus health and wellness programs such as counselling, massage, test services and even a medical clinic has been instrumental to my success so far,” says Students' Association of Olds College president Laura Mckinnon, an environmental science student at the college.
“This generous contribution from RBC will further provide students like myself with an enhanced access to these amazing services.”
Robyn Soper is a communications and events advisor at Olds College
