AboutFace, Canada’s facial difference charity, is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the AboutFace Post-Secondary Scholarship: Jana Almosara and Anah Kryzanowski. This year’s scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the CIBC Foundation.

Jana Almosara is entering the second year of a concentrated Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Manitoba. She plans to obtain her master’s degree in social work and become a mental health counsellor supporting both the facial difference and BIPOC communities. Jana shared, “Growing up as a first-generation Filipina immigrant with cleft lip and palate, I didn’t know anyone like me – these two perspectives will help me to serve individuals with personal understanding. Receiving the scholarship means so much to me. It allows me room to breathe.”

Anah Kryzanowski is entering her second year at Edmonton’s MacEwan University in the Physical and Occupational Therapist Assistant diploma program. She plans to work in a pediatric setting supporting children in the facial and deaf and hearing loss communities.

Anah has Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) and is an active volunteer and longtime advocate for self-acceptance for those with differences. Anah highlighted, “There is still stigma that people with a facial difference don’t have the developmental capacity to be successful in university. That stigma can also make doors hard to open in the workplace. I am so grateful for the AboutFace scholarship that will help to open those doors.”

On behalf of AboutFace, Executive Director Danielle Griffin said: “Congratulations to Jana and Anah, and best wishes for much success as they continue their academic and professional journeys. We are very grateful for the CIBC Foundation’s generosity and for their commitment to advancing inclusive educational opportunities for youth with a facial difference.”

CIBC Foundation Executive Director Ronan Ryan shared, “We are committed to advancing economic inclusion for underserved communities and are proud to partner with AboutFace in their important work. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients.”

With eligibility limited to students with a facial difference who are pursuing post-secondary studies, the AboutFace Post-Secondary Scholarship is unique in Canada.