Renison grad and Top 40 under 40 for Waterloo Region to speak at Town and Gown meeting

The Town and Gown Society at Renison (Town and Gown) meets every Spring and invites local speakers from the Kitchener-Waterloo region to give speeches on a variety of topics. Jessica del Rosso has been invited to be the speaker for this year's spring meeting, as a Waterloo Region Top 40 under 40 with a unique story. Jessica is a graduate of both the Social Development Studies and Bachelor of Social Work at Renison.

Jessica entered the foster care system at age 15 and became a Crown Ward. Despite her struggles, she managed to finish high school and was accepted into the Social Development Studies program at Renison. In her journey, she decided to help other youth in similar situations. She helped launch the youth advisory board of Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region, and is now an active presenter and speaker about youth in foster care. She is also active with the Office of the Provincial Advocate and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

Town and Gown was founded in 1994 to assist Renison-registered students in Social Development Studies and/or Bachelor of Social Work programs who have entered university from non-traditional routes through the Town and Gown Society Award.

Town and Gown meetings are open for all who would like to attend and those who would like to hear Jessica speak are encouraged to do so.

RSVP by Friday April 22nd to Tracey Antonio at tantonio@uwaterloo.ca