They say it takes a village to raise a child, and sometimes that village is built from kindness, generosity, and the love of people you’ve never met.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by single mothers, the Grace and Good Fortune Bursary for Single Mothers, supported by the Grace and Good Fortune Fund at Calgary Foundation, was created to ease the financial burden of post-secondary education. More than just financial support, the bursary provides a message of community care and encouragement.
Established in 2019 by Kerrie Penney, the Fund is a tribute to her mother, Sophie, who was a sole provider for much of her life. Kerrie’s vision was to honour her mother’s strength and resilience by helping other women in similar circumstances pursue their dreams.
“Raising my own daughter and gaining an understanding of what it takes to raise a child gave me more reverence for women who manage this on their own,” Kerrie shares. “All women want the best for their children, but not all women are well resourced. I asked myself, ‘How can I help make it better for the people who walk on the path after us?’”
Kerrie’s commitment to supporting single mothers began long before the bursary was formalized. In the mid-1990s, she created video programs with the Calgary Board of Education’s Louise Dean School, a specialized setting for pregnant and parenting teens. Through the time spent researching and creating content, she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education and support. The experience left a lasting impression and planted the seed for what would become the Grace and Good Fortune Fund.
Today, the bursary in support of tuition continues to reflect Kerrie’s belief that even small acts of support can make a big difference.
“If just one thing is ticked off your budget list, that can make it easier,” she says. “It can free up money to do something meaningful as a family. The goal is to make the burden less heavy in a small way.”
That impact is felt by recipients like Karen Cobos, a single mother of two daughters who began her post-secondary journey at age 28.
“My daughters were just 5 and 8 years old at the time,” Karen shares. “Balancing schoolwork and parenting tested me in every way imaginable, yet through those challenges, I’ve become more determined, focused, and resourceful than I ever thought possible.”
Karen applied for the bursary during her undergraduate studies, encouraged by her research supervisor.
“Being a single mother and the sole provider for my family has often been overwhelming. This award gave me the chance to keep reaching for my goals without the constant fear of having to choose between my education and my children’s well-being.”
For Karen, receiving the bursary was more than financial relief, it was a powerful affirmation.
“It reminded me that I am not alone, and that there are people willing to stand beside me on this difficult but rewarding path.”
She is now pursuing her PhD in Neuroscience and will begin medical training at the University of Calgary in 2026. Her dream is to become a doctor who provides care that is fair, compassionate, and accessible, especially for marginalized communities.
Karen hopes her daughters see her journey and believe in their own potential. “If I can do it, they can too. No dream is too big when you keep pushing forward and never give up.”
Karen’s story is one of many that continue to affirm Kerrie’s goal to support and encourage women. What began as a tribute to her own mother has grown into a legacy that uplifts across generations. Kerrie now involves her own daughter in evaluating bursary applications, inspiring a tradition that fosters compassion and community-mindedness across generations.
“We come from humble, strong women, and I’m continuing that legacy with my daughter,” Kerrie says.
At its heart, the Grace and Good Fortune Bursary for Single Mothers is a story of love. Love for a mother, love for a daughter, and love for the women who walk a similar path.