Our Winners
2025 School Scholarship Winner
Jarrett Glass-Jeffrey
Original Joe's Oxford Park
Jarrett has been a part of Original Joe's Oxford for three years while simultaneously studying Biology and Anthropology. As if that wasn’t enough, he also works at the City of Edmonton Reuse Centre.
In his submission, Jarrett shared a heartwarming story about how he took a RT Hospitality moment that he created in store and expanded it to create even more beautiful ripples in the world.
He explained how this experience has shaped his perspective, extending into other areas of his life and deepening his connections with those around him.
Check out Jarrett’s full submission at Jarrett Glass-Jeffrey Submission
2024 School Scholarship Winner
Emily Findlay
Original Joe's Terwillegar
We are excited to announce Emily Findlay from Original Joe’s Terwillegar as our Fall 2024 School Scholarship Winner. Emily is pursuing a degree in Psychology at Athabasca University, and her heartfelt story of courage and selflessness in saving a stranger’s life deeply moved our panel of judges. Her honest reflection on how the experience changed her is both powerful and inspiring. Her honest and vulnerable reflection on how the experience changed her is both powerful and inspiring and truly embody the spirit of the Sokil Scholarship. Read Emily's story here.
2023 Impact Initiative Winner ​
Heather Kopchia
Original Joes Ellerslie
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As well as being a Team Member at Original Joe's Heather is a high school teacher on the north side of Edmonton. She spends her spare time volunteering as a soccer coach.
Check out how heather plans to spend this grant in the link below.
2023 School Scholarship Winners ​
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Original Joes Ellerslie/Original Joes Lloydminster
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Alvin is the Kitchen Manager at Original Joes Lloydminster; he has been a part of our family for over 10 years, Alvin is currently enrolled in massage therapy to help his daughter live her life to the fullest. Check out his Story at Alvin Angeles Submission.
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Arielle works as part of the Front of House Team at Original Joes Ellerslie. Arielle shares her remarkable story of the people who made her life beautiful as she hiked 2,653 miles along the Pacific Crest Scenic Trail. Read about her journey at Arielle Knecht Submission
2023 Impact Initiative Winner ​
Kushagr Kumar
Original Joes Terwillegar
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Kushagr is a bartender at Original Joes Terwillegar who has recently completed his Master's degree in public health. During that time Kush and a few classmates created a syringe that can detect lethal concentrations of fentanyl in a users’ drug supply and give a visual indication to warn the user, thus preventing an overdose fatality. The idea won the Telus Innovators Challenge in 2019, along with the $200K prize money. Since October, his efforts with FentaGone have been dedicated to developing a community engagement plan to ensure that when this product eventually hits the market, it gets delivered to the people who need it most efficiently and equitably. Check out Kushagr Kumar Submision
2022 Winter Scholarship Winner ​
Ren MacKay
Original Joes Ellerslie
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Ren is a full-time Culinary student at NAIT, he is the father to 3 beautiful boys and a complete rockstar on line at Original Joe's Ellerslie. Thank you Ren for sharing your heartwarming story about your amazing mother. To see Ren's full story go to Ren MacKay Submission
2022 Fall Scholarship Winner ​
Chelsea Carter
Original Joes Terwillegar
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Chelsea has a passion for taking care of those around her in need. In 2022 she made the decision to go back to school and enrolled herself at the University at McEwan for her first year of their social work program. This has been a dream of Chelsea for a long time and we are honoured to help support her on this journey. To see Chelsea's full submission go to Chelsea Carter Submission
2022 Impact Initiative Winner
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Daniel Hoffmann
Original Joes Terwillegar
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A member of our family since 2014, Daniel has found passion in sharing his heart through music. He is currently working on his first album and we think he is amazing. Check out his first song!
Thank you Daniel for sharing your story and your beautiful music with us
2021 Winter Scholarship Winner
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Teihannah Leier
Original Joes Beaumont
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Psychology Student at Grant MacEwan University
When it comes to people and their hearts, some things are extremely personal. Out of respect for the emotional vulnerability of Teihannah's submission we have decided to keep the specialness of this particular application reserved for the judge's eyes.
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2021 Fall Scholarship Winner
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Ashlee Rolheiser
Original Joes Oxford Park
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Currently Pursuing a Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.
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2021 Impact Initiative Winner
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Meghan Switzer
Original Joes Terwillegar
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Owner of The Compassionate Vegan
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2020 Scholarship Winner
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Nicole Denis
Original Joes Lloydminster - previously worked at Leduc and Whitecourt!
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Practical Nursing Student
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