The mother of a young man, who had a passion for helping domestic abuse survivors, is hoping people will apply to a scholarship established in his memory.
The Blue Eyes Big Heart Josh Alderton Memorial Scholarship was established in 2013. This fund supports abuse survivors who want to go back to school.
Joshua Alderton of Sarnia-Lambton died at the age of 24 in a collision on July 25, 2013.
His mother, Chatham-Kent resident Laura Alderton-Scott, said it was a "devastating" loss.
"When Joshua died he left a huge hole in all of our lives. He did a lot of volunteer work and his last project was Walk a Mile [in Her Shoes]. I knew he had done a lot of work with domestic violence so I wanted to make sure his voice was heard."
Joshua Alderton at Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. (Photo courtesy of Laura Alderton-Scott)
Alderton-Scott said Joshua was motivated to help survivors after witnessing situations of domestic abuse firsthand.
"Joshua had seen a lot of domestic violence in his life. It was a chain in the family and he wanted to break it," she said. "I am a survivor of domestic violence. I got out and I became very successful afterward."
The scholarship fund was first awarded in 2014. Alderton-Scott said it means a lot to be able to meet the scholarship recipients and share some information about her late son.
"I want them to continue his work as his angels," she said.
Alderton-Scott said scholarships weren't awarded the last two years so funds were instead donated to the Women's Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton and the Chatham-Kent Women's Centre.
However, this year, she'd like the scholarship to be awarded to a deserving individual.
"I've been told that people are afraid to apply. Domestic violence individuals are afraid of the publicity, they don't want their name out there, but we can work with people," she said. "That's not a problem! I don't want them to be afraid, I want them to be strong, and proud, and apply."
Since no applications were received this year by the posted deadline of May 24, the deadline has been pushed to June 13 at 12 p.m.
This year's scholarship is worth $1,000.
The Sarnia Community Foundation is accepting applications from Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent residents. Further application details can be found on the foundation's website.
