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2024 Canada’s Volunteer Awards Recipient

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

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National award

Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement award

Udlu Hanson

Udlu Hanson is a dedicated community leader. Over a number of decades, she has supported her community through collaborative efforts and steadfast leadership.

Udlu co-founded the Annauma Community Foundation to meet the needs of Nunavummiut. She is committed to uplifting the community in meaningful ways that reflect Inuit values.

The Foundation extends its support to all 3 regions of Nunavut. It offers programs for elders, youth, women, and girls. Programs include:

Udlu embodies the spirit of Aajiqatigiinniq, the Inuit tradition of working through consensus. She involves and consults others and fosters a collaborative environment.

Udlu led the development of the Qaujisaqtiit Society, Nunavut's first charitable association of Inuit not-for-profit organizations. She has served on various community boards, and as the Chief Negotiator for Devolution with Nunavut Tunngavik. In these roles she has advocated for and successfully implemented initiatives that directly benefit the community.

Under Udlu's leadership, Annauma Community Foundation has raised $7.9 million for Iqaluit and Nunavut in just over 2 years, but her contributions go beyond dollars and have had a profound impact on her community. Through her efforts, families in need have secured housing, easing one of the most pressing needs in Nunavut.

Udlu's activities have brought significant benefits to people living in Iqaluit and across Nunavut.

Special Mention

James Peter (Jim) Mulcahy

James Peter (Jim) Mulcahy's volunteer activity is firmly rooted in his community of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, yet the value of his contributions has reached far beyond his hometown, impacting people across Canada and globally.

Jim advocates for people living with severe mental illness. He has worked hard to improve public perception and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.

As a volunteer playwright and director of the Park Bench Players, Jim helped tell the personal stories of 6 individuals with mental illness. These performances, over 100 in total, challenged stigma and sparked understanding.

A respected teacher, Jim helped students find their voice, build confidence, and engage with their community. At St. Andrew's Junior School, he created a peer support program to help struggling students. Jim mentored young student leaders and encouraged their input in school and community life.

Since 2002, Jim has offered peer support to countless cancer patients at St. Martha's hospital, from diagnosis to death.

In 2013, St. Francis Xavier University recognized Jim's service with a Doctor of Laws Causa.

From the time of the diagnosis of his own life-limiting illness in 2021, Jim has served as a "companion volunteer" for palliative care patients.

Jim shared his personal story of living with life-limiting illness and caregiving in the video documentary "The Story About Care." The documentary is used in training programs at university health science faculties, hospices, long term care facilities, and other healthcare settings around the world.

Despite profound personal tragedies, Jim continues to look forward to tangible ways he can contribute to the lives of others.

Regional Award

Business Leader

Quebec: Loto-Quebec

Loto-Québec, launched the "Employés de cœur" corporate volunteer program in 2023 to encourage its 5,000 employees to get involved in volunteer activities. This program allows employees to dedicate one working day per year to not-for-profit organizations, with the goal of raising awareness about the impact of volunteering and encouraging them to become more involved in their personal time.

In just a few months, 519 employees participated, providing nearly 3,500 volunteer hours to more than 20 different organizations, including Moisson Montréal, Mission Bon Accueil and the Société Saint-Vincent de Paul. Employee contributions have significantly increased the services provided by these organizations. The results are impressive, with 30,000 kg of food sorted, 2,500 servings of stew prepared and 700 bags of donations sorted, among others.

The "Employés de cœur" program not only strengthened the community, but also created a strong sense of pride and solidarity among Loto-Québec employees. In 2024, 82% of participants expressed a desire to continue volunteering outside working hours. Loto-Québec continues to promote this initiative and inspires other organizations to follow its lead.

Ontario: Meridian Credit Union

In 2023, Meridian Credit Union started the Meridian Kits program with Kits for a Cause. This program lets Meridian employees choose a charity to help by packing essential kits. Kits for a Cause gathers the materials and works with the charity to make sure the kits meet the community's needs. In 2023, Meridian employees packed nearly $1 million worth of kits for 81 not-for-profit organizations across Ontario, totaling about 40,000 kits.

These kits have helped communities by providing:

The Meridian Kits program supplements the other work that Meridian does in the community, including:

The Meridian Kits program is flexible, quick, and works well with other community support programs.

Since 2022, Meridian has sponsored a kit-packing event at the Partnership Conference in Toronto, involving over 100 companies and not-for-profits. This event encourages other businesses to start similar programs, helping more not-for-profits in Ontario get the essential items they need.

By combining grants, volunteering, and kit packing, Meridian employees are helping make a significant impact in their local communities.

Prairies: Waste Logic

Waste Logic, a managed waste services company, proudly supports the community and not-for-profit groups in a variety of ways. They encourage and support staff to get involved in their communities by volunteering, raising funds, and supporting initiatives close to their hearts in any way they can.

Their staff has volunteered at Compassion House Foundation, walked for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, and donated food to the Edmonton Food Bank. They also participate in McHappy Day, Tim Horton's Camp Day, Burgers for MS, and Miracle Treat Day by purchasing treats for the staff.

Waste Logic donations support several local and national charities including: CASA Mental Health, Kids with Cancer Society, Stollery Children's Foundation, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Tree Canada, University of Alberta, and Sherwood Park Minor Hockey.

As a company, Waste Logic doesn't just help their clients with sustainability efforts, they consider the environmental impact of their own business practices each day. They encourage staff to embrace internal initiatives to create new ways to reduce the company's carbon footprint such as:

Waste Logic has created a company culture that encourages employees to be the best they can be for themselves, their families, and their community at large. The company puts its words into action to demonstrate that supporting their communities, and the planet, is worth the effort it requires.

British Columbia and the North: Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union

Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union is based in British Columbia and offers personal and business banking and investment services across Canada. It is also a social purpose organization that considers the health and well-being of society when they develop and create value for shareholders or customers.

Since 2000, Coast Capital has reinvested $100 million from their profits and thousands of volunteer hours back into the communities it serves. In 2023, they reinvested over $6.2 million in more than 60 organizations and programs to support 446 community organizations. These investments helped youth at risk, seniors, refugees, people with disabilities, and more. Organizations that Coast Capital volunteers support include:

Coast Capital has formed partnerships to provide a variety of volunteering opportunities for their employees. Their partnerships include Volunteer Victoria, and Altruvest. In 2023, their efforts helped achieve the highest number of employee volunteer hours in the company's volunteer program's history, with 15,000 hours contributed to communities across Canada.

Community Leader

Atlantic: Constantine Passaris

Constantine Passaris has spent over 50 years volunteering to make New Brunswick a more welcoming place for newcomers. He has dedicated thousands of hours to bringing people from different cultural backgrounds together. By creating teams that bring out the best in each person's unique talents, skills, and perspectives, he has helped make positive changes in the community. He has used this approach in his leadership roles on boards, organizations, and committees.

Constantine founded the New Brunswick Multicultural Council and helped create the first multicultural policy for the provinces of both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Over the past 5 decades he has volunteered on numerous community organizations, boards, committees, and agencies, including:

Multicultural organizations at the national, regional, and local level regularly invite him to share his knowledge and expertise and he has been a key contributor to immigration policy in both New Brunswick and the Atlantic region. In 2023, he was honored with the City of Fredericton Community Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions. He was also recognized with the Government of Canada Citation for Citizenship Award.

Throughout his life, Constantine has been a role model and an inspirational leader for New Brunswick's multicultural community.

Quebec: Catherine Duclos

Catherine Duclos is a prominent figure at GRIS-Montréal, a community organization dedicated to providing education on sexual orientations and gender identities by sharing testimonies of lived experiences. Since 2012, Catherine has been actively involved as a volunteer, providing in-school outreach to youth. She joined the board of directors in 2013 and became the first woman chairperson in 2017, a position she held until June 2024.

Under her chairmanship, Catherine led an expansion of GRIS-Montréal's mission to include education on the variety of gender identities. She also maintained the commitment of volunteers and partners during the pandemic, demonstrating strong and inclusive leadership. In parallel, Catherine has contributed to research projects on 2SLGBTQIA+ community inclusion and chaired the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de- Montréal.

Catherine participated in 115 educational interventions, reaching nearly 3,000 youth. Her commitment has enabled GRIS-Montréal to receive several awards, including the Prix Ensemble contre l'intimidation (Together Against Bullying Award) and the Canada Volunteer Award. In recognition of her dedication, she received the GRIS-Montréal 2024 Bâtisseur award.

Ontario: Nancy Dewar-Stenning

Nancy Dewar-Stenning is a dedicated mentor and community leader who has impacted hundreds of students in Ontario through her work with robotics. Over 20 years ago, she founded FIRST Team 1305, a high school robotics program, and has mentored over 250 students since then. Her focus on students developing communication skills, such as writing emails, giving presentations, and proper etiquette has helped them succeed not only in robotics but also in life. Nancy also supports her students by guiding them in applying for scholarships to reduce student debt. Many of her mentees have gone on to successful careers in engineering, business, and healthcare.

Nancy's work goes beyond just teaching robotics. She created the FIRST North Bay Robotics Event, which brings over 800 people to North Bay each year and contributes more than $1 million to the local economy. She has also started several other robotics teams across Canada, including teams for Indigenous communities. One of these teams, Wikwemikong, qualified for the FIRST World Championships and became a finalist for the Impact Award.

Nancy also volunteers with several local organizations and helps raise funds for various causes. She works with numerous organizations to implement events with FIRST Team 1305. Her efforts include:

Nancy's hard work and dedication have made her a role model in the North Bay community, where she continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Prairies: Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs Community of Volunteers

The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs Society (BGSS) Community of Volunteers is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization in Calgary. Over 20 years, the Gardens have become a community space with over 20 specialized gardens, featuring several signature botanic collections.

The Gardens were created to beautify a large, previously bare space along the entrance road into the community. In 2006, Calgary Parks planted trees they named The Birthplace Forest.

A group of nearby residents also started planting small areas with flowers. The formal beautification initiative came through actions of the local Silver Springs Community Association that collaborated with the growing group.

The volunteer contingent has since grown to 100 individuals. They collectively donate 10,000 hours annually to the Gardens' development and maintenance. The Gardens are now the heart of a vibrant learning and gathering space.

BGSS has enhanced their expertise through partnerships with multiple organizations, while remaining consistently rooted in the support and contributions of its volunteers, the Community Association and the City of Calgary.

BGSS has become a center for learning, offering educational programs like spring lectures and garden tours. It also works with local schools, artists, and groups of seniors, students, and horticulturists. Volunteers help maintain the gardens and engage visitors, creating a strong sense of community.

Through volunteer efforts and collaboration, BGSS continues to offer a welcoming space for learning, community, and nature. Its success relies on dedicated volunteers, partnerships, and a shared love for gardening.

British Columbia and the North: Kelly Pearce

For over 30 years, Kelly Pearce has been a leading volunteer figure in the outdoor recreation, education, and habitat conservation fields in the Eastern Fraser Valley of British Columbia (BC).

Kelly's work in the Eastern Fraser Valley began in the 1990s as a Park Naturalist at Manning Park. There he developed outdoor programs to educate children and adults about the flora, fauna, and human history of the park and area.

For many years Kelly worked with the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission to develop and deliver educational and environmental restoration initiatives throughout the Skagit watershed area.

He also co-founded the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning (HMCOL). The Centre provides outdoor education programs in schools and for the public. The HMCOL builds, restores, and maintains heritage and community hiking trails in the region and has also carried out numerous local conservation projects.

Many of these programs and projects depend on close collaboration with local First Nations, not-for-profits, local businesses, funders, and municipal and provincial government agencies.

Kelly's work not only benefitted the people in Hope but everyone in Southwestern BC. Through his relationship with the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission and other governmental and non-governmental funding agencies, he has raised funds for:

Kelly is a role model and his work in Hope, Manning Park, and surrounding areas has impacted the lives of thousands of people over the years.

Emerging Leader

Atlantic: Ophélie Chiasson

Ophélie Chiasson is a dynamic and committed young leader in the Atlantic region. As Vice-President of the Fédération des jeunes francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick (FJFNB), she played a key role in organizing impactful events that celebrate Francophone culture and bring young people together. Her commitment to the board of directors of the Centre des arts et de la culture de Dieppe (CACD) is a testament to her dedication to providing enriching cultural opportunities for her community.

Ophélie's ability to mobilize young people around awareness campaigns and social action initiatives set her apart. From leading student councils to participating in educational missions, helping to improve education and support young people in their academic and personal careers. Her inspiring leadership and ability to bring people together are catalysts for change and progress.

Her contributions have a lasting impact, opening doors for learning, personal development, and social connection. Her involvement in events such as the Association canadienne d'éducation de langue française (ACELF) conference in Winnipeg enriches the dialogue on educational and linguistic issues. Recognized as one of Acadie Nouvelle's 30 rising Francophones under 30, her dedication and influence are widely acknowledged. This acknowledgement frames her impact and potential. As a figure of resilience and perseverance, she overcomes obstacles with grace and determination, inspiring those around her to persevere in their own challenges.

Quebec: Michael Lecchino

Michael Lecchino is a dedicated student and a passionate volunteer. He shows his commitment to strengthening his community through his many roles and initiatives.

These include:

Michael's influence extends beyond local initiatives. As the Communications Lead at Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC), he mobilizes a network of over 24,000 young Canadians, advocating for youth representation on global platforms.

Michael's role as a dedicated community volunteer goes beyond organizing projects. He actively mentors individuals both formally and informally. By sharing his experiences and insights, he encourages others to get involved in their community.

His efforts have helped create a culture of volunteering, inspiring people to make a positive impact.

Ontario: Vickram Bachan

Vickram Bachan has devoted thousands of hours of service during the past 16 years, volunteering in schools. His contributions have helped improve educational opportunities for students within the Toronto District School Board.

He has also organized charity events which benefitted the Lumos Foundation, the Hospital for Sick Children, Children's Mental Health Ontario, and the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services.

Vickram has worked to combat illiteracy and improve mental health among youth with reading clubs and poetry writing activities. He also actively takes action to address and tackle racism and discrimination in all forms.

Vickram founded the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Fan Club and the Poetry for Hope Writing Club. He also helped with schools' sports teams including wrestling, badminton, ultimate frisbee and football teams. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Vickram launched a book project for students. The project also supported local small independent businesses and addressed important issues within the community.

Vickram works with a diverse range of students, from a variety of backgrounds, who have faced hardships of their own.

For his work, Vickram was the 2022 recipient of the Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan (OTIP) Support Staff Worker award. He became the first person from the Toronto District School Board to win the award. Vickram was also the youngest recipient ever, and the first person of colour to win this OTIP Support Staff award.

Prairies: Priscilla Ojomu

Priscilla Ojomu is passionate about making her community stronger through her active volunteering, community service, and youth leadership.

Priscilla co-founded Canada Confesses in response to racialized violence. Canada Confesses is a youth-led grassroots organization, that creates safe spaces where people can share their stories and access information, services, and volunteer opportunities. It has partnered with over 30 organizations, reaching more than 16,000 people.

She also developed a guidebook to address environmental pollution in Canada and in the Global South, as part of the Inter-Council Network's 2023 Youth Champions Program.

Working with the Undergraduate Association at the University of Alberta Priscilla promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus to improve outcomes for marginalized students facing systemic barriers.

In 2023, Priscilla was a youth delegate at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. She represented marginalized Canadian youth on a global scale, making a significant impact beyond her local community.

Priscilla is an advocate for justice in her local communities. She co-creates and leads initiatives that promote equity and drive sustainable change.

British Columbia and the North: Vedanshi Vala

Vedanshi Vala is a dedicated community leader who sits on various boards, including the Women's Nonprofit Network and the British Columbia (BC) Heritage Fairs Society. She also leads the BC Provincial Heritage Fair, one of the province's largest history events.

A St. John Ambulance volunteer since grade 10, Vedanshi provides First Aid care at community events. She also teaches leadership skills to youth cadets.

Her volunteer experiences led her to co-found the BOLT Safety Society (BSS). She is Executive Director of this digital platform. BSS provides critical support to sexual violence and abuse prevention. BSS's initiatives have directly impacted over 27,600 people and has garnered more than 1,948,000 impressions across various platforms.

She also launched the Safe Hubs program in Metro Vancouver. Safe Hubs partners with businesses to offer intermediate safe spaces for survivors of violence. She has expanded the program and established 48 Safe Hubs across 16 cities in BC and Ontario.

Vedanshi also led the development of Project LyghtNyng, an educational workshop series. Project LyghtNyng focusses on flipping harmful victim-blaming narratives, introducing the concept of consent, and equipping participants with the tools they need. First launched in Vancouver, Project LyghtNyng has now reached over 850 participants across multiple countries.

She spearheaded the Safe Buddies program, which began as a national hotline offering phone and in-person accompaniment to individuals who feel unsafe. This program has since evolved to provide event coverage, impacting over 10,400 people.

Vedanshi has received BC Business's Woman of the Year Award in the Rising Star category and Surrey's Top 25 Under 25, among other awards. She represented BSS at international platforms such as the United Nations Headquarters in New York to grow the organization's programming and to develop strategic partnerships.

Social Innovator

Atlantic: Thrive, CYN St. John's, Inc.

Established 23 years ago, Thrive offers some of the most innovative social programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. They provide support and services to youth and adults who live in poverty and who have limited access to mainstream programs and services within the St. John's Metro region.

Volunteers are key to Thrive's success. Thrive's programs were developed in collaboration with the community to address identified gaps in services, and include:

Through this programming, communication tools and offering professional training, Thrive supports social service providers across all sectors in providing the best possible services for vulnerable people in the region.

Quebec: the Groupe Communautaire L'Itinéraire

The Groupe communautaire L'Itinéraire has made it its mission to support individuals aged 18 and over who are socially and economically vulnerable, at risk of homelessness, or struggling with addiction or mental health issues, to help them become fully integrated citizens.

Their magazine L'Itinéraire is the driving force behind the Groupe communautaire L'Itinéraire. This bi-monthly publication, well established in Montreal since 1994, is a pioneer among street newspapers in Canada, inspired by models from New York and London. Written and sold by people experiencing homelessness, this magazine gives a voice to the homeless and raises public awareness of issues related to social exclusion. It has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Judith-Jasmin Award. In 2024, the organization published a special edition of L'Itinéraire to mark the magazine's 30th anniversary.

The organization extends beyond publishing; it also provides social reintegration services, including a work integration program, a daytime center, and two street cafés-one specifically dedicated to Indigenous individuals experiencing homelessness. In 2023, the organization launched the AIR Program (Accompagnement et Intervention de Rue) and opened a warming center to meet the basic needs of marginalized individuals. Between 2023 and 2024, the organization supported more than 1,000 people, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to combating homelessness and promoting social inclusion.

Through its wide range of services, the Groupe communautaire L'Itinéraire helps individuals reintegrate into active life at their own pace. In collaboration with various partner organizations, it acts as a bridge to housing services, healthcare, detox programs, and vocational training. This integrated approach fosters a supportive community where vulnerable individuals can find assistance and a sense of belonging.

Ontario: York Region Educational Services

York Region Educational Services (YRES) addresses education gaps and social challenges. They also nurture academic and personal growth among youth. YRES works with partners and communities to provide programs and resources for students from low-income and under-represented families.

YRES promotes a safe and inclusive environment and has engaged more than 2,000 volunteers who support YRES's activities. As part of Canada's 50 to 30 challenge, YRES embraces diversity and inclusion. Black, Newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+, and Indigenous individuals make up over 76 % of YRES's volunteer base.

YRES offers programs to meet various needs. These include:

In 2024, YRES offered over 500 educational programs both virtually and in-person, all free of charge in partnership with local community centers, school principals and career teachers.

Prairies: Congress of Black Women of Canada, Edmonton Chapter

Established in 1983, the Congress of Black Women of Canada, Edmonton Chapter (CBWC- Edmonton, or the Congress) empowers and supports Black women and their families to improve their wellbeing. CBWC - Edmonton creates a safe space where Black women can connect to examine the issues which affect them and their families.

The Congress's programs support empowerment, community health, wellbeing, and collaboration. Its efforts include:

In addition, the Congress has established several community groups that have developed into full-fledged, independent, not-for-profit organizations that serve and positively impact their community. These include initiatives for Black youth, individuals with Sickle cell disease and their families, and Black women in Vancouver.

The Congress of Black Women, Edmonton Chapter, goes the extra mile to promote, uplift and support their community.

British Columbia and the North: The Running on Faith Project

The Running on Faith Project's mission is to transform the lives of individuals in temporary housing and recovery centers through the power of exercise and community connection.

Founded in March 2022 by Andie van der Eerden, the Project leads learn-to-run and walking programs in local shelters and recovery centres in the lower mainland, British Columbia.

After 6 years of serving the homeless community Andie identified a critical unmet need for structured exercise and meaningful human connection for individuals in temporary housing. Andie began to address this need by personally organizing walking and running groups through shelters and recovery centres in the community. As participation and interest grew, Andie recruited volunteers to help lead the groups and expand the reach of the Project.

Guided by Andie's leadership, the walking and running groups offer participants more than an opportunity to exercise. They offer a consistent presence, ongoing encouragement, and social connection.

Participants report increased self-esteem, improved mental health, and a renewed sense of purpose. By addressing both physical and emotional needs, the Project helps individuals to start to think about rebuilding their lives with confidence and dignity.

To bring greater visibility to the Project and encourage community involvement, Andie has planned community events like the Glow Run with Cloverdale Community Kitchen and secured coverage from Global Television. She has also collaborated with local organizations to secure resources such as running shoes, raincoats, umbrellas and reflective vests necessary for the walk and learn-to-run programs.

These efforts have increased volunteer participation and helped to raise community awareness of the issues faced by individuals in temporary housing and recovery centers.

Andie's founding of the Project demonstrates the far-reaching impact that one person's commitment and leadership can have to make a positive change within their community.

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