As a former youth-in-care, Destiny Griffin is working to put her past behind her by using a diploma in Criminal Justice from Camosun College to pursue a university degree.
Camosun College
Destiny Griffin plans to use her diploma in Criminal Justice from Camosun College to pursue a university degree.
The tuition waiver program covered the cost of tuition and mandatory fees. The support came at a time when she was juggling studies with finding accommodation and working part-time.
“It takes a huge weight off your shoulders to know that there is some source of income regardless of your place of employment,” says Destiny.
When asked about what motivates her every day, Destiny replies: “I am on a bit of a personal mission. I wake up every day with a little sticky on my mirror and it says that ‘you are not where you come from’ so it is important to me to be able to put an end to the cycle of abuse, poverty and trauma. Studying the law is as polar opposite as I can get from my past.”
After graduating from high school in Victoria and taking a year out, Destiny graduated with a Criminal Justice diploma in 2023. The applied learning aspect and the enthusiasm of the instructors inspired her to take what she learned to the next level. Destiny is hoping to get into third year of Simon Fraser University to do a dual degree in criminology and psychology, with an eye on eventually going to law school.
At Camosun, the Centre for Accessible Learning helped get Destiny additional time on one of her final exams, while daily workouts in the fitness centre provided a useful break between studies.
“Post-secondary education can be transformational for many students,” says Heather Cummings, Vice-President of Student Experience. “Opening the door with the tuition waiver program and providing a range of wraparound supports for students during their time at Camosun will help students succeed and thrive.”
The tuition waiver program is making post-secondary education more accessible for former youth in care by covering tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students. In 2021/22, 61 Camosun students benefited from the program. Over 231 students at Camosun have accessed the program since its launch in 2017. Effective Aug. 1, 2023, the Province is removing age requirements as part of the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan to make education and training more accessible and affordable.
Learn more at camosun.ca/tuition-waiver.
Contact information
Rodney Porter
Camosun College