Toronto Raptors’ Chris Boucher presents SlimmDuck Scholarship to Annessa Dehaney

BY PAUL JUNOR

On Sunday, January 12^th, 2025, there was the presentation of the SlimmDuck Scholarship to Annessa Dehaney by Chris Boucher of the Toronto Raptors prior to the start of the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) basketball game. She is the second recipient of the scholarship since it was launched two years ago in 2023.

The scholarship is committed to helping students reach their academic and educational goals by providing resources and removing barriers. The scholarship was set up to open the door to university education for students of Caribbean descent. It provides financial assistance to students through the Spanning the Gaps bridging program, which offers a pathway to university for students who intend to pursue an undergraduate degree but have gaps resulting in incomplete admission requirements for a traditional pathway into post-secondary education.

Furthermore, it works to provide resources that include school supplies, backpacks, apparel, and other items to children as they start a new school year. The programs involved include:

• Athletics: We are committed to growing and enhancing youth athletic participation through the game of basketball. Chris Boucher knows firsthand the importance and benefits of participating in sports. It increases confidence, builds teamwork, improves physical and mental wellness.
• Goodwill and Holiday Initiatives: We are committed to providing basic necessities year-round to youth and families in need. As a youngster, Chris experienced the stress of being homeless and often did not know when the next meal was coming. For this reason, the foundation works with local restaurants and chefs to distribute nutritious meals to families.

The first recipient of the SlimmDuck Scholarship was Helen Harry in 2023.

Helen intends to pursue the Midwifery Education program at TMU, which she found out about during her pregnancy. She was enrolled in the Spanning the Gaps Transition Foundation program and wanted more for herself. She states, “I talked to [Spanning the Gaps] about wanting to pursue a career in midwifery. After having my daughter and working random jobs here and there, I told myself that I really needed to get the ball rolling on my dream career. I just wanted to start working towards my career and in order to do that I needed to do some academic upgrading which Spanning the Gaps allowed me to do.” 

Helen was excited about receiving the scholarship, especially after she had forgotten that she applied for it. She states, “I was really happy and was at a loss for words.” Helen receives words of praise from Chris Boucher personally. He states, “Congratulations to Helen Harry for receiving the inaugural SlimmDuck Foundation Scholarship at TMU. We are proud to provide equal access to higher education for students of Caribbean descent, a mission directly aligned with the goals of my Foundation.”

Students have to be of Caribbean background and enrolled in the Spanning the Gaps-Access to Post-Secondary Education program at The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education at TMU.

The following is included in the scholarship:

• Free access to the full suite of Spanning the Gaps programming
• $5,000 towards the cost of first-year undergraduate tuition at TMU

Dehaney is grateful for the SlimmDuck scholarship which will further her future studies. She states, “Winning the award is empowering, because I’ve had a long journey to get to where I am. The SlimmDuck Scholarship gives me the financial support and stress relief I need so I can focus on my studies and my career. You can move mountains. That’s always stuck in my head, and I believe each step towards your goal is like moving one rock at a time. That’s what keeps me on track.”

Chris Boucher commends Annessa. He states, “I am so proud to continue to support students like Annessa. We established the SlimmDuck Scholarship to give back to the community, increase representation in higher education, and create a pathway to future success. Congratulations to Annessa! I look forward to following your incredible journey.”