This past November, we were able to resume our Community Recognition Awards in person. This is an annual celebration where we come together to recognize those in University-Rosedale who are making a difference.
The following groups and individuals were honoured:
The St. George PSWs. The personal support workers of the St George Care Community worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure quality care for each of their residents. Frontline workers, these PSWs really were some of the real heroes of COVID-19.
The Avenue Road Food Bank is a Daily Bread member food bank located in and operated by the Church of the Messiah. They provide weekly food support to community families and individuals. They are supported by dedicated volunteers, our partners, and many generous donors.
The Kensington Market Community Land Trust (KMCLT) is a community initiative created to protect the social and economic diversity of our neighbourhood by acquiring property and ensuring that property is used for local community benefit.
The Chinatown BIA has been instrumental in keeping Chinatown alive by helping its members navigate changing COVID-19 restrictions, apply for small business support programs, and by advocating for the government to tackle anti-Asian hate crimes.
(Luisa Cheng accepting the award on Helen's behalf)
Helen Lee is a seniors advocate who is very active in the Chinese community, with her church, and more recently for residents and families in long-term care and fighting the ongoing privatization of our public health care in Ontario. She became fiercely dedicated to seniors when her grandmother, Foon Hay Lum, died in a long-term care home at the age of 111 during the first wave of the pandemic.
The Palmerston Green Committee focuses on greening the neighbourhood as well as advocating for broader environmental responsibility. Their Green Plan includes: Installing pollinator gardens; Urban forestation and expanding community green space; Community clean-ups – Healey Willan Community Garden; Participating in TransformTO climate action consultation; Local planning and development consultations.
Samantha Van Clieaf is a local crossing guard who keeps our children safe when walking to and from school every day and adds sunshine to our community with her compassion for people and animals. No matter what kind of morning you are having, if you cross her path, you will be greeted by a big smile, a heartful chat and good wishes for the rest of your day.
The Toronto Community for Better Child Care (TCBCC) is a broadly based non-profit organization working to establish a comprehensive, high quality, universally accessible, non-profit, publicly funded childcare system. They are a member-based organization comprising early learning and childcare centres, community groups and individuals from the Greater Toronto Area.
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) is a charitable organization dedicated to bringing high quality, diverse, and engaging outdoor film programming to communities across the city of Toronto. TOPS’ signature project, Christie Pits Film Festival (CPFF), was originally founded as a two-night event in 2011 and grew rapidly, becoming a cornerstone of west end Toronto’s summer calendar.
Cycle Toronto is a member-supported charity that works to make Toronto a healthy, safe, and vibrant cycling city for all. They advocate for expanded and protected bike lanes, and champion Vision Zero laws, like Bill 54, Protecting Vulnerable Roads Users Act.
As a response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Liz Zur has been very involved in helping Ukrainian newcomers with their settlement and, to this point, she has helped over 200 families. Some of those families have children on the autism spectrum and these kids are the most vulnerable when it comes to transitions. Liz’s main mission is to raise awareness about the needs of these children and advocate for proper services like transitional housing and trauma therapy to be provided to them so they too can call Canada a safe haven.
Ada Chan is the Executive Director of the Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, a busy legal clinic that assists thousands of low-income clients in the Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Lao communities in Ontario. Ada and her staff are engaged in a poverty law practice, including administrative law, test cases, social justice advocacy and community engagement and empowerment. Previous to joining as ED, Ada also sat on the CSALC Board of Directors. Ada is an advocate for social justice and has spent her legal career representing marginalized clients in Ontario.
Sally McLean is a retired educator and facilitator who comes into our office 3-4 times a week to aid with administrative work without ever being asked. With an enthusiastic approach, she volunteers both during elections and throughout the year – that is, when she's not at the front of the picket-line or being removed from Queen's Park for standing up for her political beliefs.
Congratulations to our awardees and thank you to all who attended!
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