HOLLAND COLLEGE
Credit Unions of Prince Edward Island support Holland College students with a $250,000 leadership gift to the Thrive campaign

Not only are Prince Edward Island's credit unions serving Islanders provincewide, they are also deeply committed to supporting initiatives that enrich Island communities. Collectively, credit union branches across Prince Edward Island have pledged a $250,000 leadership gift to the Holland College Foundation for Thrive, a $2.5 million fundraising effort to establish a centre for student wellness, resilience, and success.  

(L-R) Paul MacNeill, CEO, Souris Credit Union; Sherri Clark, Manager, Morell Credit Union; Sarah Millar, CEO, Consolidated Credit Union; and Alfred Arsenault, CEO, Provincial Credit Union in the Credit Union Café at Holland College's Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown. Credit Unions of Prince Edward Island made a $250,000 leadership gift to the Holland College Foundation's Thrive Campaign for student wellness, resilience, and success.

"Credit Unions across Prince Edward Island have been long-term supporters of Holland College, and we're thrilled to be able to continue our support of the organization with the implementation of this new building," said Sarah Millar, CEO of Consolidated Credit Union and Chair, Credit Unions of Prince Edward Island Management Group. "We know that an individual's greatest wealth is their health, and there is nothing more important than one's own mental health. Through this partnership, we will be able to support students across PEI during a challenging time in their life - which is truly the essence of what we, as credit unions, do." 

"We are tremendously grateful for the generous support of the Prince Edward Island's credit unions," said Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, Holland College President, who also noted that the gift announced today is in addition to the credit unions' long-standing support of students. 

"Their support over the years includes a significant investment in the Learning. For Life. Capital Campaign, which supported several campus development and renovation projects and the establishment of numerous student awards. They are also an active partner and contributor to the college's on-campus food banks." 

"Ultimately we want our students to finish strong, make successful transitions into the workforce, and lead happy and productive lives," said Kent Scales, Holland College Foundation Board Chair. "This generous gift from Credit Unions of Prince Edward Island will help us to provide students with every opportunity to thrive, not just while they are with us as students, but throughout their lives."  

To learn more about the Thrive campaign, and about how you can contribute, visit hollandcollege.com/foundation.  

Backgrounder 

To house the centre, Holland College is renovating and expanding a 4,300 sq.-ft. building at its Prince of Wales Campus and doubling its size. Satellite offerings and services will be available to students provincewide. Renovations and construction of the building began in April of 2023, and the centre is scheduled to be operational in September of 2024. 

A broad, integrated suite of services will be offered through the centre. These include mental health supports, a health clinic, academic support services, and career and academic counselling. Lifelong determinants of health such as sleep, diet, exercise, and social interaction will also be emphasized.  

A slate of entrance awards will be established for students who have diagnosed learning disabilities or mental health issues. 

The expected impact is a reduction in student attrition, successful transitions into the workforce, and a strengthening of student resiliency and coping skills that will benefit the economy and enrich our communities.