Christal Capostinsky UNBC Social Work Bursary
Donation protected
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Christal Lee Capostinsky. She went to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness. Although her mind was willing to carry on, her body could not.
Christal's 45-year journey is a testament to the strength and courage of the human spirit. She overcame numerous obstacles in her younger years and fought hard for a better life for her and her son. In consideration of these struggles and her fortitude to overcome her circumstances, this Go Fund Me campaign's goal is to raise money to provide a lasting legacy for our cherished friend. Monies raised would be dedicated to a one time bursary in Christal's name.
The Christal Capostinsky Social Work Bursary would be gifted to a student in the Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Northern British Columbia. This student would be selected based on need and their shared story of walking a similar path to Christal's. Christal flourished in her educational journey but the financial hardship was intense and threatened her ability to graduate a number of times. Christal credits her educational journey as a huge part of rising up out of poverty and the social problems that held her down during her younger years. Christal would be honoured to be a part of another student's educational journey.
Through this bursary Christal will continue to live on, continue to contribute to the fight for social justice issues, and continue to share her love of education. Your generous offerings towards this bursary will ensure that Christal is not forgotten. that her spirit, her story and the love of all who knew her can continue through this wonderful legacy.
During this crazy time of COVID-19 preventing us from gathering in her honour, this bursary can be a proactive way for friends and family to process loss and grief. Christal would indeed be humbled to be honoured in such an impactful and meaningful manner.
Christal accomplished a lot during her short time here. Between 2004 - 2007, she sat on the board of the Northern Women's Information Centre and became a peer support worker with Positive Living North. As a college social work student, she founded the New Hope Society in 2005, As Executive Director and human rights activist, she fiercely and passionately advocated for oppressed women, particularly women and youth involved in sex work. Christal partnered with CASEY (Communities Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth) and BCCEW (B.C. Coalition of Experiential Women) during this time. In 2006, Christal received her social work diploma from the College of New Caledonia.
She then attended the University of Northern British Columbia and earned her degree in social work in 2008. That year she was presented with the Bridget Moran Advancement of Social Work Award and the Governor General's Award for the sensitivity training she provided to the R.C.M.P. on dealing respectfully with sex workers. She immediately launched into the Masters of Social Work program at UNBC. Christal became the Pacific representative for the Canadian AIDS Society. She accomplished all of this while working full time as a child protection worker for the Ministry of Children & Family Development. In 2013, Christal received her Masters Degree in Social Work from UNBC. In 2015, Christal and her son moved to Edmonton. She was employed as a Family Interventionist with the Family Centre of Northern Alberta. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date. In the meantime, this Go Fund Me campaign can move forward in her honour.
The Christal Capostinsky Social Work Bursary will be a way for her to pay it forward; she will live on through our joined effort in one last effort to make this world a more beautiful place! All donations are appreciated; this information will be published when details are confirmed.
Christal's 45-year journey is a testament to the strength and courage of the human spirit. She overcame numerous obstacles in her younger years and fought hard for a better life for her and her son. In consideration of these struggles and her fortitude to overcome her circumstances, this Go Fund Me campaign's goal is to raise money to provide a lasting legacy for our cherished friend. Monies raised would be dedicated to a one time bursary in Christal's name.
The Christal Capostinsky Social Work Bursary would be gifted to a student in the Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Northern British Columbia. This student would be selected based on need and their shared story of walking a similar path to Christal's. Christal flourished in her educational journey but the financial hardship was intense and threatened her ability to graduate a number of times. Christal credits her educational journey as a huge part of rising up out of poverty and the social problems that held her down during her younger years. Christal would be honoured to be a part of another student's educational journey.
Through this bursary Christal will continue to live on, continue to contribute to the fight for social justice issues, and continue to share her love of education. Your generous offerings towards this bursary will ensure that Christal is not forgotten. that her spirit, her story and the love of all who knew her can continue through this wonderful legacy.
During this crazy time of COVID-19 preventing us from gathering in her honour, this bursary can be a proactive way for friends and family to process loss and grief. Christal would indeed be humbled to be honoured in such an impactful and meaningful manner.
Christal accomplished a lot during her short time here. Between 2004 - 2007, she sat on the board of the Northern Women's Information Centre and became a peer support worker with Positive Living North. As a college social work student, she founded the New Hope Society in 2005, As Executive Director and human rights activist, she fiercely and passionately advocated for oppressed women, particularly women and youth involved in sex work. Christal partnered with CASEY (Communities Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth) and BCCEW (B.C. Coalition of Experiential Women) during this time. In 2006, Christal received her social work diploma from the College of New Caledonia.
She then attended the University of Northern British Columbia and earned her degree in social work in 2008. That year she was presented with the Bridget Moran Advancement of Social Work Award and the Governor General's Award for the sensitivity training she provided to the R.C.M.P. on dealing respectfully with sex workers. She immediately launched into the Masters of Social Work program at UNBC. Christal became the Pacific representative for the Canadian AIDS Society. She accomplished all of this while working full time as a child protection worker for the Ministry of Children & Family Development. In 2013, Christal received her Masters Degree in Social Work from UNBC. In 2015, Christal and her son moved to Edmonton. She was employed as a Family Interventionist with the Family Centre of Northern Alberta. A celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date. In the meantime, this Go Fund Me campaign can move forward in her honour.
The Christal Capostinsky Social Work Bursary will be a way for her to pay it forward; she will live on through our joined effort in one last effort to make this world a more beautiful place! All donations are appreciated; this information will be published when details are confirmed.
Organizer
Shelly Greg
Organizer
Prince George, BC
