TORONTO, December 18, 2025  –  VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is proud to build upon its ongoing partnership with BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) to launch the BNI-VHA Future Leaders Scholarship, a new bursary program in support of Black youth.

VHA is one of Ontario’s largest not-for-profit providers of publicly-funded home care. Founded 100 years ago in 1925, VHA has long committed to training, education, and academic research to invest in the skills of the next generation. By sponsoring students pursuing post-secondary education in Ontario through the BNI-VHA Future Leaders Scholarship, VHA is excited to expand its 100-year legacy of leading the future of health and independence at home across the province in partnership with BNI.

The scholarship awards four bursaries of $2,000 each to Black youth pursuing post-secondary education in Canada. This opportunity is born out of VHA’s commitment to its people and empowering the children of its team members to pursue academic excellence with VHA’s own HeadStart Scholarship.

“We recognize the stress and financial challenge that attending post-secondary education can cause,” says Kelley Myers, VP, Human Resources & Organizational Development and Chief Human Resources Officer at VHA. “Since 2012, VHA has awarded $435,000 in scholarships to the children of VHA team members, and we are pleased to extend that support to our broader community through this partnership to help even more youth reach their educational goals.”

An original signatory of BlackNorth Initiative in 2020, VHA’s President and CEO, Dr. Kathryn Nichol, also signed the CEO pledge, a commitment to actively work toward the removal of anti-Black systemic barriers that are negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians in the workplace. The pledge also acknowledges the existence of anti-Black racism and its impact on Canada’s Black communities.”

“The BNI-VHA Future Leaders Scholarship is an expression of VHA’s commitment to sustainability and inclusion coupled with our dedication to supporting all forms of learning,” says Dr. Kathryn Nichol. “With 82% of VHA’s workforce from racialized communities and speaking over 90 languages, diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in all we do. We are proud to partner with BlackNorth Initiative to create opportunities for Black leaders of tomorrow.”

“We’re delighted to deepen our partnership with VHA through the BNI-VHA Future Leaders Scholarship,” says Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, CEO of the BlackNorth Initiative. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to closing opportunity gaps for Black students in Canada by providing both financial support and mentorship. Together, we’re helping to build a stronger pipeline of Black leaders who will shape their communities and our country for years to come.”

The BNI-VHA Future Leaders Scholarship is now accepting applications until January 18, 2026. For eligibility criteria and further information and to apply, please visit the application page. 

ABOUT BLACKNORTH INITIATIVE

BlackNorth Initiative is on a mission to close the gaps created by systemic anti-Black racism for Black Canadians. We envision a Canada where systemic anti-Black racism no longer exists. For more information, visit: https://blacknorth.ca/ and follow us on social media @blacknorthca.

ABOUT VHA HOME HEALTHCARE

VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is a not-for-profit charitable organization that has been a cornerstone of care, compassion and transformation in our communities for over a century. As one of the largest not-for-profit providers of publicly-funded home care in Ontario, our team of over 3,000 homecare specialists provide personal support, nursing, rehab and community support services in Toronto and the GTA as well as in London, Kingston, and Ottawa. Fueled by a passion for research and innovation, sustainability and inclusion, our commitment to advancing the homecare sector and supporting our communities has served as a driving force in our continued growth and operational excellence.

Media Inquiries:

Isabel Terrell
Communications Manager
VHA Home HealthCare
communications@vha.ca

Shelton Mpala
Associate Director of Strategic Communications
BlackNorth Initiative
437-997-7110
smpala@blacknorth.ca