FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2016
Pillar Community Innovation Awards Finalists Announced
10 years of sharing stories, inspiring people and recognizing those who make our community brighter
LONDON, ONTARIO
The Pillar Community Innovation Awards program is now in its 10th year of sharing stories, inspiring people and recognizing those who are making our community brighter.
“These stories tell us about the volunteer service and accomplishments of a truly inspirational group of individuals and organizations in our community. While one purpose of these awards is to recognize them, Pillar also hopes to stimulate and motivate the rest of us to follow their lead and expand on their contributions, each according to our own capacities and passions,” shares Harry Joosten and Kathleen Murphy, this year's Co-Chairs of the Pillar Community Innovation Awards.
The finalists for the 10th annual Pillar Community Innovation Awards have now been selected. Please join us in congratulating them for their dedication and commitment to community. The three finalists in each of the four award categories of Community Innovation, Community Leadership, Community Impact and Community Collaboration are…
Community Innovation
Parkwood Institute Outpatient Acquired Brain Injury Program
To manage the year-long wait list, the team created a number of innovative treatment groups and educational resources to improve timely access to care at Parkwood and in the community.
SafeSpace
Founded in 2009, SafeSpace is a local organization run by volunteers and peer mentors with lived experience of sex work operating a drop in centre in the evenings to provide a safe environment.
TVDSB’s GENTLE Reception Centre
“Guided Entry to New Teaching and Learning Experiences” is a response to the challenge of managing school intake for an unprecedented surge of arriving Syrian families displaced by political, social and economic crisis in their homeland.
Community Leadership
John Leitch
John’s commitment to his community is endless, when he sees a void he is often spearheading the initiative to ensure every citizen is provided with opportunities. Through his work and volunteerism he consistently strives to make our community safe, vibrant and full of opportunity for everyone.
Rachna Sharma
As a youth leader Rachna works tirelessly to empower others to become involved. Her leadership and dedication to create sustainable changes in underserved communities is inspired by personal experience.
Shelley Yeo
Shelley’s leadership spans the sector, is widely known and she is respected as a leader who “rolls up her sleeves” to do whatever needs to be done. She has made huge positive contributions for addressing issues of homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, family services and more.
Community Impact
Coming Out Over Coffee – Family Service Thames Valley
The COOC Support Group started in response to the lack of groups open to LGBTQ+ individuals seeking support to come out to friends, family, neighbours and co-workers in a safe environment.
Pathways Skill Development and Placement Centre
For more than 25 years Pathways has helped individuals in our community overcome multiple barriers to meaningful employment through employment services, placement, skill development programs and social enterprises.
The Rotary Club of London
By providing support across dozens of organizations, Rotary inspires groups to be innovative and launch initiatives that address the gaps in the community.
Community Collaboration
Intergenerational Choir Project: Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex, Medway High School and Sisters of St. Joseph
The use of music, singing and related activities has come to light as one of the most effective types of recreation programming for individuals with dementia. The intergenerational nature of the collaboration brings together youth, seniors and those suffering dementia.
London and Area Works
This collaboration builds upon multiple partner strengths, and provides coordinated, broad marketing support for employment, training and education organizations in a manner that has a wider impact than any one of the single organizations could accomplish on their own.
Syrian Family Programming
A collaboration with Cross Cultural Learner Centre and the Boys and Girls Club to provide day-time programming for newly arrived Syrian refugee families and children.
Award recipients will be announced at the awards ceremony on November 23 at the London Convention Centre. Award recipients will receive $2,500 to be directed to their registered charity of choice and a custom-designed award, and they will have their names engraved on the perpetual plaque in the Hudson’s Bay Passageway at the London Central Library. Details and tickets are available at www.pillarnonprofit.ca
Libro Credit Union is the Platinum sponsor for this event, and 3M, Rogers TV, and FM96/AM980/Fresh103.1/Country104 are Award Sponsors.
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About Pillar Nonprofit Network
Pillar Nonprofit Network supports more than 340 nonprofit member organizations. Pillar Nonprofit Network strengthens the impact of the nonprofit sector. We connect the three pillars - nonprofit, business and government - to create community impact. We spark innovation. For more information, please visit: www.pillarnonprofit.ca
Media Contact:
Michelle Baldwin, Executive Director
Pillar Nonprofit Network
Tel: 519-433-7876
Cell 519-668-4456
mbaldwin@pillarnonprofit.ca