New fund honours RAYS founder

The founder of RAYS (Resources for Area Youth Success) is being remembered with a new fund named in his honour. Tony Fry, who passed away in May at the age of 87, was deeply committed to helping youth achieve their full potential.

RAYS chairperson Barbara Lemaire said the group recently updated its strategic plan with the goal of making the program more accessible and understandable.

The new Tony Fry fund will facilitate the increase in the number of awards for college bound students. Thanks to the generosity of Peter and Barbara Halsall and another anonymous donor, every dollar donated to the Tony Fry fund during November and December will be matched dollar-for-dollar to a maximum of $20,000. In announcing the funding pledge, the Halsalls said they share Tony Fry’s commitment to helping youth, and hope the fund will continue to support local students in pursuing their college dreams for years to come.

College awards were previously $1,500 per year, but have now been increased to $2,000 per year for the duration of the program. “That can make the difference whether they need to have a part time job or leave them time to participate more fully in the college experience,” said Lemaire.

According to Lemaire, the changes expand the program to provide money to more kids each year. The catchment area for the program has also been expanded to include two French immersion high schools in Barrie.

The RAYS awards program now has three categories: university awards with scholarship awards of $20,000 over four years for two new students annually as well as awards of merit of $6,000 over two years for up to five new students annually; college awards of $2,000 per year for the duration of a one- to four-year program awarded to up to nine new students annually; and apprenticeship awards – one-time grants of $1,300 for up to four students annually.