In 2024, we proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone: more than 500 students supported through the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary program and nearly a decade of transformative donor impact. Ron Joyce, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of the Joyce Family Foundation, believed in the transformative power of quality education. As Maureen O’Neill, Executive Director of the Joyce Family Foundation said, “Although he did not advance far in formal education himself, Ron Joyce recognized the ability of education to open doors, develop talent, and enrich society.” And open doors it has—for learners from all walks of life, empowering them to pursue their educational goals with confidence.
One of these learners is now the Vice President of Procurement at a leading seafood producer in New Brunswick. In 2018, however, he was living a very different life as a full-time student at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). His days were packed with classes from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. When the last word from the assigned reading was read and the laptop was shut, his workday was far from over. As the sun went down, he took on the grueling work of mopping floors and cleaning washrooms, putting in endless hours just to make ends meet. Despite his relentless work ethic, he struggled to cover basic needs, let alone his tuition expenses. Times were tough, stress was real, and hope often felt out of reach.
Everything changed when he received the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary. The bursary covered a significant portion of his tuition, reigniting hope and reminding him that kindness and generosity can shine through in the darkest times. With this support, he reduced his work hours and focused on his studies, graduating with honours from NBCC in 2020. From there, his career quickly took off. He landed opportunities with some of New Brunswick’s top employers and, in just three short years, rose to the title of Vice President of Procurement. Every step of the way, he remained grateful to those who helped him along the way. “The knowledge I gained at NBCC and the support I received from the Joyce Foundation Bursary helped shape my approach to leadership and business,” he shared. “I learned that success is not just about achieving personal milestones, but also about lifting others up along the way.” The Joyce Family Foundation not only helped him earn a degree but also inspired a lifelong mission to uplift others.
His story is just one of 500.
Celebrating 500+ Futures: A snapshot of just a few of the many students whose lives have been impacted by the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary.
Since 2015, the Joyce Family Foundation’s continued support has opened doors to career pathways through quality education, alleviated financial barriers, and empowered learners to achieve their academic goals. Recipients have shared deep gratitude, including another NBCC alum and bursary recipient who expressed:
“It is a reward for my accomplishments and a motivation to keep moving forward with a positive perspective. My education pursuits would not have been possible without your [The Joyce Family Foundation] generous donation. Thank you for supporting me towards reaching my fullest—personal and professional—potential.”
Through stories like these, we see the profound influence of donor generosity. After graduation and achieving their educational goals, recipients of the Joyce Family Foundation Bursary go on to drive meaningful change in New Brunswick and beyond. The impact is felt by each bursary recipient and, through them, extends into the very fabric of our communities. We see this effect in the diverse fields where recipients are making a difference: 21.9% of recipients have chosen careers within the Trades industry, contributing to essential infrastructure in their communities. Another 18.5% are in Community and Protective Services, tackling social challenges and ensuring public safety. Meanwhile, 14.5% are in the health field, helping to meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals and improving patient care across the province.
“As we celebrate this milestone with the Joyce Family Foundation, we are reminded of the significant and far-reaching impact of their support,” said Mary Butler, President & CEO of NBCC. “500 dreams realized. 500 futures transformed. Countless lives touched—not just by those of the recipients, but of the communities they now uplift and inspire. Bursaries like this provide a lifeline that relieves financial stress, sparks inspiration, and ignites confidence in our learners to achieve their goals. We are thankful for the generosity of partners like the Joyce Family Foundation, who change students’ lives and contributes to the growth of our communities.”
At NBCC, we believe a quality education has the power to transform lives. It equips students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to contribute to and benefit from a thriving New Brunswick Through our student awards program, and with the support of donors like The Joyce Family Foundation, learners have opportunities for scholarships, bursaries, and awards that make education more accessible by easing financial burdens. In 2023-2024 alone, donor support resulted in $1.03M in financial aid, benefiting 640 students across our College community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our donors and community supporters for believing in the power of education. Together, we are creating opportunities for everyone to fully participate in meaningful work and for our businesses to have access to the teams and talent they need to grow and compete here at home and around the world. We are excited to see the support of the Joyce Family Foundation, and all donors, transform lives for decades to come.
