Ted Rogers Scholarship – How Ben Jeans is supporting and uplifting vulnerable communities through education     

We believe in the power of education, and through our Ted Rogers Scholarship program, we’re empowering young Canadians – like Ben Jeans –  to pursue their passions and lead the charge in building a better Canada.

Born and raised in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ben (they/them) has been an active community member and passionate advocate for the LGBTQ2S+ community throughout their life.

Growing up, Ben sought to feel connected to the many facets of their identity, and leaned into various volunteer roles which allowed them to pursue their interests while giving back to their community.

That’s when Ben joined their school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance group where they met other queer students and facilitated open discussions on their lived experiences.

These experiences strengthened Ben’s natural spirit of giving, and inspired them to pursue Nursing Studies at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

It was these achievements that led to Ben’s nomination for a 2021 Ted Rogers Scholarship by Pflag – a national charitable organization which provides families and individuals with the resources to support their loved ones identifying as LGBTQ2S+.

Through the Ted Rogers Scholarship program, Ben hopes to continue building a life of service and giving back to the community that supported them.