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Volunteer Awards 2011
Every year Family Service Toronto honours the extraordinary efforts of volunteers through a series of FST volunteer recognition awards. Each award has a different focus and reflects a different set of criteria. The 2011 Volunteer awards were presented at our Annual General Meeting on June 15.
Family Service Toronto Pat Fleming Seniors Volunteer Award
Many people are looking forward to longer lives. However, some won't enjoy the dignity and respect older citizens richly deserve. With the Family Service Toronto Pat Fleming Seniors Award, Family Service Toronto recognizes a volunteer who has made a significant contribution to our work with seniors. The recipient will be a person who understands the vulnerability and marginalization of many of the seniors Family Service Toronto serves. The recipient's work will have contributed to increasing the wellness, self-esteem, safety and self-respect of seniors.
This year’s Pat Fleming award recipient is Denise Garner.
Denise Garner was a volunteer at FST for three years. She was a member of FST’s Senior Advisory Council and it is in this capacity that we are honouring her. Denise was known for her ‘behind the scenes’ work. Although she didn’t like public speaking, she did whatever she could to support those who did. Whether it was making phones calls to remind members of the Senior Advisory Council about their upcoming speaking engagements, or assisting with the logistics of an event, Denise was always there, helping wherever she could. Among her many gifts to the Council were her sense of humour and her special cheesecake, both of which were delightful, appreciated and always anticipated at meetings or gatherings.
Before Denise died on March 17 this year, she made sure a few special items were put aside for use and enjoyment by seniors during their stay at Pat’s Place.
Family Service Toronto Community Service Award
With this award, Family Service Toronto honours the outstanding contribution(s) of an individual or group to the well-being of our city and its citizens. Nominees can come from all sectors and will have demonstrated having made a positive impact on life for individuals and/or families by being an agent of change, a role model for inclusivity and/or a leader in improving life in Toronto.
Three of the GE volunteers team (from left to right): Darlene Buccilli, Bonnie McKinnon, Manisha ThackerThe recipient of this year’s Community Service Award is GE Canada.
Since December 2009, GE Canada volunteers have contributed over 450 hours of volunteer service at Pears Avenue. This has included preparing grant requests, preparing resume writing and interview skill kits for the tenants and participating in the community meal program at Pears Avenue. Through the hard work of the GE volunteers, Pears Avenue received donations of new kitchen equipment that included 2 fridges, a freezer, a stove and a large barbeque. And as the result of a successful grant application, additional purchases have been made, including new stainless steel countertops, small appliances such as a rice cooker and food processor and other much needed items.
The Pears Avenue tenants have commented enthusiastically on numerous occasions about the positive relationship with the volunteers from GE Canada.
Family Service Toronto Marjorie Cuthbertson Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize the outstanding efforts of a volunteer who has made an exceptional contribution to the work of Family Service Toronto and the families and communities that we serve. The recipient is a role model to others and provides dedication, commitment and leadership through their volunteer efforts. This award recognizes a current Family Service Toronto volunteer who has made a measurable contribution to, or has significantly supported the work of, one or more programs.
Marjorie Cuthbertson Award recipients from left to right: Bob Wallace, Calvin Lee, Greg Garrison, Silvia Montes de Oca
This year we have four Marjorie Cuthbertson Award recipients: Greg Garrison, Calvin Lee, Silvia Montes de Oca, and Bob Wallace.
Greg Garrison
As a volunteer and former staff member of FST, Greg understands and is responsive to the community need for counselling services. Greg started as a volunteer in 2002 and has been providing counselling in David Kelley Services on a regular basis. Greg is genuinely concerned about our clients and is strongly committed to helping the LGBTQ and HIV communities Toronto. Greg is an invaluable clinical resource for staff, students and volunteers and his expertise has enriched the peer supervision experience on many levels. Greg’s friendly and outgoing nature promotes a supportive and positive work environment for everyone on the DKS team.
Calvin Lee
Calvin has been volunteering with Family Service Toronto since 2009 in various program areas that have included Social Reform, Research and Evaluation, Volunteer Resources and Seniors and Caregivers Support Services. FST’s programs have benefitted greatly from Calvin’s excellent research and writing skills. Whether it’s writing articles for newsletters and text for brochures, or stuffing envelopes for large mail-outs or posing for a poster, Calvin is always ready to help. Calvin has stated many times that he feels privileged to volunteer at FST. He is willing to undertake a wide range of duties in order to assist the organization and the clients we serve, and he sees the value in all he does. One could say that not only is Calvin a volunteer model; he is a model volunteer.
Silvia Montes de Oca
Silvia’s determination and dedication were evident from the moment she contacted our Options program looking for a volunteer opportunity that did not exist at the time. Her persistence paid off and not only did Silvia create a volunteer opportunity for herself but she also made it possible for others to volunteer in the future at Options.
Silvia has been working with a young adult with autism. They meet in the community and go to the library, the park or the local coffee shop to talk. The client has been able to share memories and feelings with Silvia, which is often challenging for autistic individuals. Silvia is helping the client find a job and is teaching him the rules of the road because he eventually wants to learn to drive.
Bob Wallace
Bob has been a volunteer with David Kelley Services for 15 years, providing invaluable counselling and facilitation services to our clients!! Bob’s many contributions to David Kelley Services demonstrate his commitment to helping FST clients in a number of ways. Through his counselling and group facilitation, he helps to strengthen members of the LGBTQ community to whom he provides individual, couples and group service. Bob helps build the capacity of staff, student and volunteers through his clinical consultation skills, wisdom, experience and knowledge. In addition, Bob is also a strong advocate of increasing accessibility to service for the LGBTQ community, particularly to the trans identified community.
