Reuniting refugee families

Ruth Raksha and Michael

Ruth Beardsley is honoured with the 2016 United Way Community Impact Award and with a refugee reunification fund set up in her name. Left to right: Ruth Beardsley, Raksha Manaktala Bhayana, CEO, Bhayana Familiy Foundation, and Michael McKnight, President & CEO United Way British Columbia.

Every day across the globe, 33,972 people are forced to flee their homes due to conflict or persecution. That means that essentially every day, there are nearly 34,000 new refugees. Richmond resident Ruth Beardsley took on one refugee family’s cause that not only reunited a family but changed her life. Ruth recently retired from her role as Senior Manager of an Early Years Refugee Program, First Steps, funded by United Way. Through that program, Ruth met Zeynab. She heard the story of how the refugee mother was forced, at gunpoint, to leave behind her baby daughter Nasteha at a refugee camp in Kenya. Ruth took on a mission to reunite the family, flying to Kenya and bringing that child home to reunite with her mother and brothers and sisters. Now, United Way has established a United Way Ruth Beardsley Reunification Fund. Starting in 2017, the fund will be used to help reunify other refugee families here in the Lower Mainland. Ruth exemplifies the kind of front-line worker that was recognized at the Bhayana Family Foundation and United Way Community Partners Award held yesterday. The awards are a partnership between The Bhayana Family Foundation and United Way British Columbia and recognize people who work at United Way-funded social service agencies. Winners are: Bhayana Dedication Awards

  • Khaleda Banu, Office Manager, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House
  • Louise Jolicoeur, Community Living and Housing Support Manager, New View Society
  • Lisa Rupert, Director, Housing and Violence Prevention, YWCA Metro Vancouver

  Bhayana Leadership Awards

  • Corina Carroll, Manager of Counselling Services, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
  • Shauna Mokelki, Manager, I hope family centre, Family Services of the North Shore
  • Darrel Roemer, Rehabilitation & Resource Manager, New View Society

  Bhayana Innovation Awards

  • Karin Rai, Family Mental Health Program Coordinator, The Family Education and Support Centre Maple Ridge
  • Rupi Sahota, Legal Advocate, Sources Community Resources Society

  United Way Community Partner Awards

    • Kathy Lilyholm, YWCA
    • YWCA
    • Nathan Wright, bc211
    • Kitsilano Neighbourhood House

  United Way 2016 Community Impact Award

  • Ruth Beardsley

  “These awards celebrate the social architects who rebuild lives of people and communities,” said Raksha Manaktala Bhayana, CEO of the Bhayana Family Foundation. “The ideals, values and passion of these front-line workers are an inspiration to all of us. Congratulations to all!” “I’d like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees,” said Michael McKnight, President & CEO, United Way British Columbia. “These hardworking individuals who work at agencies funded by United Way change people’s lives for the better every day.” United Way’s vision is a healthy, caring, inclusive community for all. These are only some of the people who help achieve that vision. https://www.flickr.com/photos/unitedwaylowermainland/albums/72157675949028580  

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