Help Us Invest in the Next Generation of Youth Impacted by Parental Incarceration

More than 375,000 young people in Canada have experienced having a parent behind bars. (Kids with Incarcerated Parents Canada, Policy Brief, 2021).

I am one of them.

My name is Raine LeBlanc.

I grew up navigating life with a father behind bars. At 15, my mother abandoned me, leaving me to care for my 10- and 9-year-old brothers. Time and again, I found myself trying to survive in systems that were never built with someone like me in mind.

Eventually, I reached a breaking point.

Instead of allowing my circumstances to define my future, I chose to create the support I wish had existed when I needed it most.

In 2025, I founded Aspire 2 Heal with a simple but powerful mission: to remove financial barriers, recognize resilience, and create opportunities for young people impacted by parental incarceration.

Aspire 2 Heal provides scholarships to youth and young adults (ages 18–29) who have experienced parental incarceration or parental re-entry. Our goal is to celebrate individuals who have persevered through adversity, recognize their achievements, and invest in their educational and career aspirations as they break cycles of intergenerational trauma.

For many applicants, the financial burden of education is compounded by the lifelong impacts of parental incarceration. A scholarship is more than financial assistance...it is a reminder that their perseverance is seen, their achievements matter, and their future is worth investing in.

Building Momentum

Our inaugural scholarship cohort (2025–2026) is currently underway.

We received 12 applications in our first year, and interest continues to grow. This is clear evidence that this program fills a critical gap.

Following our review process, five scholarships totaling $800 will be awarded by September 2026, helping recipients take the next step toward their educational and career goals.

Even before awarding our first scholarships, Aspire 2 Heal has been recognized by organizations that believe in this mission and the impact it can have across Canada.

Our Inaugural Funding Partners

We are grateful to our first funding partners for believing in this vision:

Weston Frontlines – Race to an Inclusive Canada Grant

See Different – Changemaker Grant

Zenurance – Small Business Grant

CFSC – Community Justice Grant

How Your Donation Makes an Impact

Every donation directly supports the Aspire 2 Heal Scholarship Program and helps ensure it remains accessible and sustainable for future recipients.

How your contribution is used:

70% towards Scholarship Awards: Direct financial support for recipients.

20% towards Program Operations: Application platform, payment processing, administration, and program management.

10% towards Community Outreach: Marketing, community partnerships, and awareness campaigns to reach eligible youth.

Our commitment is to maximize the impact of every dollar while operating with transparency and accountability.

Your Support Creates Opportunity

Every application represents a young person who has refused to let their circumstances define their future.

The demand for this program is growing, and so is our opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to expand the 2026–2027 scholarship cohort, increase scholarship funding, strengthen program operations, and reach more youth across Canada who have been impacted by parental incarceration.

Whether you give $10, $50, $100, or more, your donation is an investment in resilience, education, and the belief that a person's future should never be determined by the circumstances they were born into.

Together, we can ensure that financial hardship is never the reason someone has to put their dreams on hold.

Thank you for believing in Aspire 2 Heal and in the incredible potential of every young person we serve.