Everyday heroes: recognizing front-line social service workers

For 15 years, Muoi Ly has brightened the lives of Downtown Eastside seniors cooking at the Downtown Eastside Seniors Centre. Her smile and attention to detail make seniors feel welcome at the Centre everyday. In 1980, Linda Minamimaya started as a volunteer with the Youth Search Program at the Association of Neighbourhood Houses. Now 35 years later, she is the longest serving employee at the Association and is the Director of Operations at Gordon Neighbourhood House. Through her undeniable commitment and dedication, she has build everlasting relationships with community members, local organizations, and colleagues alike. These are the kinds of exceptional individuals who work on the frontlines of United Way-funded agencies and who were recognized at the Bhayana Family Foundation and United Way Community Partners Awards. The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards is a partnership between United Way and the Bhayana family to recognize extraordinary contributions made by workers at United Way funded agencies. The individuals are nominated by their peers. Bhayana Dedication Awards – Recognizes individuals who demonstrate dedication to their organization’s mission and values.

• Hala Kapani, Family Support Worker, Bridging Program, Richmond Family Place
• Muoi Ly, Cook, Vancouver Second Mile Society
• Linda Minamimaye, Director of Operations, Gordon Neighbourhood House

  Bhayana Leadership Awards – Recognizes an individual who demonstrates exemplary leadership capabilities and who consistently achieves superior team-based results.

• Wes Everaars, Director of Development, Lookout Emergency Aid Society
• Eva Aboud, Outreach and Food Security Coordinator, Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
• Tahzeem Kassam, Chief Operating Officer, DIVERSEcity

  Bhayana Innovation Awards – Recognizes an employee who introduces ideas, services or practices in new and imaginative ways, contributing innovative solutions to the agency’s operations or services.

• Claudine Matlo, Seniors Programs Coordinator, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
• Bella Cenezero, Program Director, Parent Support Services Society of BC

  In addition to the Bhayana Family Foundation Awards, United Way presented a number of Community Partner Awards to agencies that open their doors for donor tours and volunteer engagement events, as well as to individual guest speakers. United Way Community Partner Award winners

• Angela Flumerfelt, Friends of Simon
• Rekha Naik, Richmond Family Place
• CityReach Care Society
• Family Services of Greater Vancouver
• United Way Avenues of Change Coquitlam River
• United Way Avenues of Change Guildford West

  “These awards celebrate the kind of people who are driven by ideals, passion and values, and I congratulate all of them,” said Raksha Manaktala Bhayana, CEO of the Bhayana Family Foundation. “They do what others have described as ‘turning the impossible into the inevitable.’ They take more risks than we can imagine and really do go above and beyond the call of duty on more days that we can count.” “None of the work we do in the community would be possible without the hard work, dedication and passion of the people who work at the social service agencies that United Way funds,” said Michael McKnight, President & CEO, United Way British Columbia. The awards were presented at New Westminster’s Anvil Centre.