ABCN Scholarship Foundation
The ABCN Foundation expands aspirations, creates opportunities and realises potential for and with goal-oriented young people who face educational and employment inequality because of their socio-economic background. We do this through our unique three-year financial and corporate mentoring support scholarship program, Accelerate.
The Foundation was launched in 2013 in response to the many exceptional young people we through our ABCN programs who faced significant socio-economic and/or family challenges. We saw first-hand the unique talents and capabilities of these students and committed to providing the support and connections needed to transcend the educational inequity they endure.
Further discussions with school principals and other educators revealed that for many bright young students facing disadvantage, financial assistance – though critical – is not enough. By combining financial assistance with a tailored program and personalised mentorship, we cultivate an environment where these young people are support to thrive academically, personally and professionally.
In 2023, the ABCN Scholarship Foundation awarded 39 Accelerate scholarships to deserving young students from across Australia.
Many capable students have dreams of a bright future yet carry invisible burdens of significant family, social, cultural or economic challenges. Our Accelerate program fosters an inclusive support network for these students at a critical point in high school, when they are making decisions about their transition from school into further education, training and employment.
Evaluation of our Accelerate program demonstrates that Scholars benefit from the development of soft skills, a network of peers and corporate contacts, an increased awareness of career pathways and are empowered to compete for opportunities on a level playing field, leading to fulfilling and productive professional and personal lives.
Empowered for tomorrow
In 2023, the ABCN Foundation celebrates 10 years of empowering students to reach their potential in their future lives and careers. In a special video to commemorate the occasion, Accelerate scholar Jweel reflects on her journey from refugee to now.
A life-changing opportunity
Meet ABCN’s first scholarship student, Jennifer Truong, who shares what the program meant to her. Twelve years on, Jennifer is giving back as a teacher in Sydney and coordinating ABCN programs at her school.
Every year we receive hundreds of applications from deserving students all over Australia. Their stories may be different, but their reality is the same: despite the potential and the desire to succeed, the circumstances they were born into are holding them back.
Our program delivers exceptional results and makes a significant impact on a young person’s life.
Together, we will enable the next generation of students to be empowered for tomorrow.
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‘ABCN gave me the extra push I needed.’
The eldest child in a single-parent family, Rachel always worked part time to contribute to the household income. From a young age, her dream was to provide for her family in a way her mother couldn’t, due to her own lack of education and disadvantaged background. As an ABCN Scholar, Rachel was inspired by the corporate world and found herself broadening her options for post-school study. ‘Working with my mentor clarified things for me and gave me self-belief,’ she says. The first person in her family to attend university, Rachel is now studying law at UTS and working part time as a legal secretary.
‘Without the support I had, I’m not sure I could have achieved my dream.’
Pregnant at the age of 14 and a self-confessed rebel, Ashleigh says very few people believed in her. But with the support of her mother and deputy principal at Thornlie Senior High School, she returned to school after the birth of her son. Participating in ABCN’s GOALS program helped develop confidence in her abilities and cemented the pursuit of her dream of becoming a lawyer. This led to her successful application for financial assistance through two ABCN-sponsored scholarships, which in turn inspired the launch of the ABCN Foundation. Ashleigh is a living example of how crucial it is to be supported during trying circumstances. A law graduate from Murdoch University, she now works full time as a solicitor and is a proud role model for her son.
‘ABCN’s Accelerate program has allowed our entire school community to see that students can achieve great things.’
Tim Lloyd has long recognised the importance of collaboration between business and education in preparing students in low socio-economic areas for the world beyond school. As Principal at Plumpton High School in Sydney’s west, many of his students are exposed to multi-generational unemployment and welfare dependency. Many lack positive role models. However, he credits ABCN’s three-year Accelerate program for students demonstrating leadership potential with creating a noticeable shift in school culture. ‘I am seeing increased numbers of students becoming more aspirational,’ he says. ‘As they are seeing their peers changing their life circumstances, they are believing in their ability to do likewise.’
Our unique point of difference
The ABCN Foundation works closely with ABCN but is a separate entity. Collaboration with ABCN’s 50+ member company network and 200 partner schools underpins our work. It means we can:
- Provide students with access to corporate Australia and connect them with outstanding mentors who can help change their lives
- Work closely with the principals of schools in low-SES communities across Australia to select students who most need help.
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Please contact the Foundation by using the form below.
If your enquiry doesn’t relate directly to the Foundation, please use the ABCN Contact Us form.