Our vision
About Rise Above
Rise Above Bursaries for Single Parents Inc. is a registered Canadian charity with the mission of assisting single parents struggling to afford a post-secondary education. It was founded in 2016.
The funds we are able to distribute has varied from year to year, but it is our goal to award at least two bursaries per school year – one in September and one in January. The majority of our funds are raised through private donors or events such as trivia nights and an annual craft sale/handmade goods market. Our ongoing goal is to grow this organization so that we can provide more financial assistance to parents in need.
Although single-parent families are disadvantaged more broadly than two-parent families, families led by a single mother are disproportionately so. According to the 2021 Canadian Income Survey, approximately 17.2% of families led by a single mother experienced poverty. Data from Statistics Canada also suggests that as of 2018, workers with a university education earned 53% more, on average, than workers without.
While we cannot alone alleviate this, we are passionate at Rise Above about making a small difference where we can. We are often inspired by the dedication displayed by our applicants and recipients to use their education to help others, as they themselves have experienced poverty and hardships and know all too well the barriers that prevent impoverished people from changing their circumstances.
Our Impact
As of September 2025, Rise Bbove has awarded 29 bursaries which together have totaled just over $85,000.
Our Team
Our board of directors is currently made up of four awesome individuals who have been inspired to do this work based on their own unique life experiences and worldviews. You can read more about them below!
We are actively looking for more board members, if you are interested, please check out the Contact page and let us know about you.
Starla Ginter
President & Interim Treasurer September 2023 – Present (President & Interim Treasurer)
January 2016 – September 2023 (Treasurer)
Starla was excited about the idea for Rise Above and jumped quickly to get on the founding board. Having lived experience as both a child of a single parent and a single parent herself, Starla understands how life can become a daily challenge at survival. Success and significance can seem out of the reach of many single parents. Educational opportunities are the best way to pave a path to success for not just the parents but also for their children; meaningful help can impact generations.
Beci Cartwright
Vice President
September 2023 – Present (Vice President)
July 2019 – September 2023 (Director)
From Beci: “I was single parent for many years, but I was lucky to have family around to help support me. Nevertheless I had to wait until 2012, when I was 45, to go to university. I managed to leave with an Advanced Master’s in Psychology. I moved to Canada 3 years ago to start a new life with my wife. Since moving here, I have been looking for ways to give back to the community. I am very excited to work with Rise Above to provide some financial support for mums and dads to improve their lives and the lives of their children through education.”
Cara Ginter
Director & Co-Founder
September 2023 – Present (Director)
January 2016 – September 2023 (President)
Cara was an undergraduate student at the University of Manitoba when she helped launch Rise Above. She served as Rise Above’s president for 7.5 years.
Andrea Smorang
Director
March 2025 – Present (Director)
Andrea is a historian who works to help Indigenous groups in their pursuit of justice on issues such as treaty violations, land claims, and compensation for residential school survivors. Having seen firsthand how a sense of hopelessness can devastate impoverished communities, she is honoured to be working with an organization that seeks to help single parent families break the cycle of poverty.