Youth for Youth Award: Awarded to initiatives or programs created by youth for youth.
Recipient: Mental Wellness Ambassador Program (MWAP)
Accepted by Marie Arnal, Grade 12 student at All Saints High School in Kanata and Sylvie Lahaie, a former student leader and current student at Carleton University.
The Mental Wellness Ambassador Program (MWAP) is run by teachers and students at All Saints High School in Kanata and designed to give students the skills and awareness to better cope with anxiety and depression. The program organizes activities to help students address the stigma surrounding mental health and understand what they can do to decrease it. Arnal – accepting the award on behalf of all the Mental Wellness Ambassadors – is a 17-year-old Grade 12 student who transferred to All Saints H.S. last year. She joined MWAP as a way of making friends and to make a change. Additionally, Sylvie Lahaie who previously served as a student leader but who is now at Carleton University will also accept the award.
Community Champion Award: Awarded to an individual who has gone the extra mile to encourage the mental or physical development of children and youth.
Recipient: Edwin Okoduwa Aigbojie, Pathways to Education Volunteer Tutor
Edwin is a 21-year-old tutor who came to Canada as a landed immigrant from Nigeria three years ago. His nominator describes him as a hard working, kind, and humble tutor who incorporates strategies to help students break down complex subjects, understand their school work, and have fun in the process. On top of being a student at the University of Ottawa studying bio-medical sciences, Edwin has at times dedicated 3 to 4 nights a week at Pathways to Education to helping students from a variety of backgrounds.
Community Program Award: Awarded to a corporate, non-profit, or other organizational program contributing to the health development of children and youth.
Recipient: PAL (Police Athletic League) Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa
PAL provides competitive sports leagues and tournaments for an average 800 children and youth from ages 6 to 16 who could not otherwise afford competitive sports. The program fosters skills and leadership development, and comes with all of the traditional expectations of an organized sports league–such as an awards night, uniforms, and trained officials. Police provide mentorship at awards banquets, games, and practices.
Help for Special Needs Award: Awarded to projects or programs that enrich the lives of children and youth who are developmentally delayed, medically challenged, technologically dependent, or who require complex or palliative care.
Recipient: Making Waves Ottawa
This program is dedicated to providing water safety instruction to children with special needs between the ages of 3 and 18. Children receive one-on-one swimming lessons geared to each child’s abilities and needs. The 60 volunteer instructors are students from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University and help over 50 families across the city.
Innovation and Research Award: Awarded to an individual or organization that contributes to the meaningful data, indicators or approaches to improve how we care for children and youth in our community
Recipient: QuickStart—Early Intervention for Autism
The program—started by Jacobson and inspired by her grandson Alexander, who was identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder—promotes and funds pilot projects providing early intervention to autistic children, offers public awareness campaigns, and delivers two family respite programs. The program emerged from Jacobson’s experience when Alexander was born and the family’s struggle to identify and access early intervention programs. QuickStart has helped hundreds of children and families since its launch in 2008.
Public Awareness/Policy Award: Awarded to an individual or organization raising visibility for a key issue that impacts the health of children and youth, or influences a change in government policy that will positively benefit children and families.
Recipient: Children’s Aid Society—February Fostering Awareness Campaign
The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CAS) has designated February as Foster Family Month to create awareness about the vital role foster parents play and to strengthen the foster care system. The goal is to increase the number of foster homes in order to meet the unique needs of children and youth. Foster care gives youth a sense of connectedness, a sense of belonging, and a better chance at achieving outcomes similar to their peers. Angela McKelvey and Patrick Griffin have been foster parents since 1997, caring for up to three children between the ages of birth and 18 at any given time. Angela has also dedicated her time and energy to supporting new and experienced foster parents.