St. Lawrence College Secures $250,000 for PSW Program Enhancement

St. Lawrence College in Kingston has been awarded a generous gift of $250,000 from the Estate of the late John Weatherall, aimed at enhancing its Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. This significant contribution, announced recently, underscores Weatherall’s longstanding commitment to supporting educational and health initiatives in the Kingston community.

A Legacy of Philanthropy

John Weatherall, a prominent business leader and philanthropist, was widely acknowledged for his contributions to various local institutions, including Queen’s University and the Kingston Health Sciences Centre. His legacy of giving has had a profound impact on organizations such as the Kingston Symphony, the Kingston Choral Society, and the United Way of KFL&A. According to Marie Miller, Senior Development Officer at St. Lawrence College, Weatherall had expressed a desire to support the PSW program specifically due to the compassionate care his late wife, Diana Weatherall, received from SLC graduates. Miller stated, “John Weatherall wanted to make a bequest to SLC and to the PSW program, specifically, because of the compassionate and professional care his late wife received.”

Weatherall’s passing in 2024 marked the end of a significant chapter in local philanthropy, but his contributions continue to resonate within the community.

Enhancing Education and Care

The gift will facilitate substantial improvements to the PSW program at St. Lawrence College, providing opportunities for new student bursaries, enhanced equipment, and facility upgrades. Glenn Vollebregt, president and CEO of St. Lawrence College, characterized the donation as “generous” and noted its potential to “create incredible opportunities” for students. He emphasized the importance of training skilled personal support workers to address the region’s healthcare workforce needs.

“In training skilled personal support workers and other health-care professionals, we help meet the region’s workforce needs in the health-care sector,” Vollebregt said. “We are profoundly grateful for this investment in the education and skill development of our students, and via that, our region’s continued provision of excellent care.”

The need for personal support workers is increasingly urgent in Ontario. The provincial government projects a demand for an additional 50,853 PSWs by 2032, driven by a rapidly aging population and existing shortages in the workforce. This context highlights the significance of Weatherall’s gift as a timely intervention to bolster training programs.

In addition to the financial contribution, the estate of John Weatherall also provided a gift-in-kind donation of equipment to enhance the PSW Home Suite at St. Lawrence College. This dual approach not only strengthens the educational framework but also ensures that students have access to the necessary tools to succeed in their future careers.

The investment in the PSW program at St. Lawrence College represents a vital step forward in addressing the healthcare needs of the Kingston area, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to provide compassionate care to those in need.