CLBC recognizes all nominees for the 2017 Widening Our World (WOW) awards for their efforts to build inclusion, create employment opportunities, and increase people’s access to community and social networks.
Below is a list of all nominees from across British Columbia, including this year’s winners. You can click on each nominee’s name to find more information about their work in community.
South Fraser Region
Cam Dore – Abbotsford“Over the years, Cam has been a strong ally for self advocates and has volunteered his time to develop our leadership and our voice through the Annual Self Advocate Institute (18 years running) and the Self Advocate Net website (also 18 years). The community gets stronger when people with diverse abilities have allies like Cam that help us to recognize our strengths or wishes and dreams.” – Bryce Schaulfelberger, Nominator |
Tamara Seebaran – Burnaby“Tamara is an employment specialist and she works extremely hard to champions the cause of employment for people with diverse abilities. Tamara works on behalf of the individuals she supports by collaborating with employers and showing a willingness to show them the business case for hiring inclusively.” – Paul McCracken, Nominator |
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 photo credit: Langley Times Nick Nuraney; John Archibald – Langley (WOW AWARD WINNERS)“Nick owns 5+ A&W franchises in the Langley area, and has hired one or more individuals through Partners In Employment to work at each location. Nick first hired Lisa 20+ years ago to make onion rings fresh in-store. She is still there and is the longest employee at that store! John is the Operations Manager of the Langley stores and is hands-on in hiring each individual. When a new location is being built we are already in conversation about who will be hired upon opening.” – Raeleen Castle, Nominator |
Rosa Schupbach – Mission“Rose uses her own time to advocate. She created a garden at the Provincial Assessment Centre (PAC) and uses aroma therapy, flowers and music to promote wholistic care and connect with communities promoting prevention and healing.” – Zera Somjee, Nominator |
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Brittney Wicklund – Surrey“Brittney is both a Facilitator for Self-Advocacy and other Agency workshops, as well as a Community Support Worker for both Milieu and privately. She helps the community by providing resources and help for the individuals that need it. She does an awesome job in making sure the individuals needs are met, and contributes valuable ideas and information for the Self-Advocacy group. Brittney has worked with many individuals that have required her support in many aspects. This makes her a great asset to an inclusive community. She provides encouragement in a group setting. This is especially for Self-Advocacy, because she helps expose everyone to a growing community and helps empower and strengthen their self-determination and goal setting.” – Julya Hutton, Nominator |
Jillian Glennie – Surrey“Jillian works to make the community a better place for the people CLBC serves. She is the Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo Involvement Coordinator. As part of this role she works make sure the community is engaged and aware of who the Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo (SAS) are; that the community has many opportunities to connect with SAS and see that people with disabilities are capable, are comfortable in typical social activities and settings as well as supporting the community in reaching higher awareness and understanding of people with disabilities.” – Scott Glennie, Nominator |
Ivor Forest Products Ltd. – Chilliwack
Lilian Fast, Manager, London Drugs – Chilliwack
Alexander Magnussen – Surrey (WOW AWARD WINNER)Southern Interior Region
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Sheila Adcock – Trail“She is a champion for the homeless population within our community, as well as advocating for those who are unable to navigate complex systems. She works tirelessly, offering help and support to anyone in need.” – Gail Pighin, Nominator |
Katie Moore – Vernon“Katie is working with the group she founded, Okanagan Accessibility, on promoting and encouraging accessibility in the community by encouraging businesses to make changes such as installing easy door openers on public buildings, or adapting public washrooms. As a part of this, Katie is working on a petition to improve the changing facilities at the Vernon Recreation Centre for people with diverse abilities.” – Lin Oldfield , Nominator |
Lance Elmer – Vernon“He helps with my safety and secures a safe environment for me.” – Phillip Jodoin, Nominator |
Ana Yost – Cranbrook
Clare Cassan – Kelowna
Lauren Hawke – PentictonThompson Cariboo and North Region
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Juanita McKinnon – Williams Lake“I feel Juanita and her staff offer a lot of care and compassion to the clients they work with. I care for my special needs sister and I have seen so much inclusion and love throughout the center.” – Rachel Hance, Nominator |
Amber Grimm – Hazelton
Dorothy Kusz – Kamloops
Linda Shaw – Kamloops
Christy Wheeler – QuesnelVancouver Coastal Region
Brenda Wilkes – Gibsons“Brenda is the local Health Services for Community Living nurse on the Sunshine Coast. She is a tireless medical professional who not only does an amazing job within her professional duties, but has a heart of gold that extends to her actions in the community. She is a strong advocate for the needs of her patients. As well, she works beyond her defined duties to raise and procure funds to run an Adaptive Fitness Program for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. This is a specifically designed Fitness Program to help create an inclusive and barrier free fitness environment so all may participate.” – Andrea Hryciw, Nominator |
Deepak Virk – North Vancouver“Deepak is both the originator of the idea, and the person leading Cascadia’s monthly Soup and Sandwich program. The soup is taken down to Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver, one of the poorest districts in the country known for its issues around homelessness and addiction. Our companions (those with developmental disabilities) and co-workers meet the day before and make soup and 200 sandwiches. Companions (with permission of their guardians) are always very interested to accompany coworkers down to the Park to serve the visitors.” – Franz Feigl, Nominator |
Ruth Tschannen – North Vancouver“Ruth Tschannen has lived and worked with people with developmental disabilities for 30 years. Helping people with developmental disabilities is her work, her life and her passion. Ruth joined the Cascadia Society for Social Working at its founding in 2000. We are nominating Ruth for this year’s WOW awards for both her long-term vision and leadership qualities with regards to our community’s Fairy Tale performances.” – Franz Feigl, Nominator |
Shari Mahar – Pitt Meadows“Shari has been involved with Community Integration Services Society (CISS), which was founded in 1990, for over 27 years, 12 of which as Executive Director. CISS is a non profit organization that supports people with disabilities to improve life skills, increase social inclusion and participation, and find meaningful, paid employment. Shari ensures that each individual supported by CISS leads an increasingly fulfilling life. Broader connections related to goals, pursuit of employment related activities and skill building are top priority to Shari.” – Lee Weisgarber, Nominator |
Lee Weisgarber – Port Coquitlam“Lee is the Director of Community Inclusion Services for Community Integration Services Society. She creates opportunities to access employment and recreation.” – Bijan Heydarian, Nominator |
Renee Rossi – Port Coquitlam“Renee has made connections with inclusive employers within the Tri-Cities community to assist job seekers in their quest for employment. She has overseen the success for several people she supports in employment.” – Krystina Kaban, Nominator |
Rob Loxterkamp – Port Coquitlam“Rob has gone above and beyond to create custom positions for people with in the City of Port Coquitlam so anyone who may want to volunteer can have a place to do so. He adapted a recreation park host position so that a client with Cerebral Palsy can build employment skills to reach his dream job of working in the retail sector.” – Ali Vrzal, Nominator |
Robert Sullivan – Port Coquitlam“Rob Sullivan has always gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure all participants that he interacts with at the City of Port Coquitlam are all taken care of. He has inspired others to take on a person centred approach to serving the people of his community and truly believes that everyone regardless of their barrier should have a purposeful place in community.” – Ali Vrzal, Nominator |
Tanya Philcox – Port Coquitlam“Tanya works tirelessly to ensure the goals of her clients and others that she supports are met. This often means doing extra research and coordinating research from multiple sources to get the goal met. She has made great strides for our clients in the employment sector, supporting them to become independent at their jobs.” – Ali Vrzal, Nominator |
Tina Furness – Port Coquitlam“Her everyday attitude exudes her amazing inclusive personality. She breaks down barriers both visible and invisible every where she goes. Tina works hard to increase the quality of life for her clients by providing opportunities for growth personally, in the home and in the community.” – Ali Vrzal, Nominator |
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Derek McQuillen – Vancouver“Derek is working to support youth in work place settings as a Work Experience Facilitator. As well, he chairs the Vancouver CLBC Community Council and spends countless hours of his free time to make the community more inclusive for people with diverse abilities. He walks the walk and talks the talk all the time!” – Pam Neuman, Nominator |
Jim Diggins – Vancouver“Jim is the Coach of the West Point Grey Canucks, a ball hockey team for young adults with developmental disabilities. Jim has coached every Friday evening since 2010 at the local community centre, providing the team members with his sense of humour, warmth, concern and genuine interest in each player. He also works them hard. He expects them to participate fully in drills, support one another to be successful and to work as a real team. All are fitter than when they started and have become good players. They identify as a team and for the first time in many of their lives, they belong.” – Norah Flaherty, Nominator |
Kaytee Kilgour – VancouverVancouver Island Region
Bryan Phelan – Courtenay“Bryan has been facilitating golf lessons for individuals with developmental disabilities for two years. He fundraises with other non-profit community groups to lower the cost of lessons so that they are affordable for everyone. He volunteers his own personal time and resources to assist with transportation for any individual needing rides, as well as providing additional teaching lessons for participants who have extra availability and time to learn. He often has asked which adaptations he can make or purchase supplies in order to ease any increased anxiety levels or physical difficulties for his participants.” – Lydia Neville and Michael McLellan, Nominator |
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Glenys Patmore – Nanaimo“Mrs. Glenys Patmore has been an active advocate for inclusion since May 2014 when she became head of the Clay Tree Society in Nanaimo. She comes from a very successful business background and is keenly aware of the need for inclusion in her community. With the current CLBC philosophy of inclusion and continued learning, Ms. Patmore opened the eyes of staff, parents, caregivers and participants to the idea of community awareness. With her direction and the help of many, Clay Tree is now enjoying involvement in many civic activities.” – Linda Lobello, Nominator |
Linda Lobello – Nanaimo“Ms. Linda Lobello has dedicated her working career to the support of people with developmental disabilities since 1981. In the past 8.5 years, I have had the opportunity to work side by side with Ms. Lobello. She has helped create programming that enhances the participants of Clay Tree Society to gain access to the community. Her reputation in preparing individuals for employment and her ability to help create a semi- independent lifestyle are unparalleled.” – Brenda Booth, Nominator |
Graham Boardman – Saanich“Graham volunteers for the drama group at the Frederic Ozanam Community Inclusion Program. His enthusiasm and dedication to the plays put on by Ozanam for the community is amazing. The confidence gained by participants in the plays is very apparent. The participants beam with pride in themselves and their peers.” – Lisa Van Veelen, Nominator |
Magda Van Zyl – Sidney“In the past two and a half years, Magda came to Ozanam Centre every Tuesday, helping our participants with reading, gardening, cooking and crafting. Our participants were very happy to have have her coming. It was a great opportunity for them to develop their social skills and she helped them feel more confidence.” – Mei Zhang and Agnieszka Stefan, Nominators |
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Cara Calibaba – Victoria“Cara comes to our day program and provides adaptive yoga classes for our participants and staff. Cara’s philosophy is all about inclusion. She doesn’t want yoga to be an exclusive practice. We have been doing yoga classes with our participants over the past several years but I have never seen the enthusiasm and joy that I see when Cara teaches! Our participants are more engaged, focused, and excited with Cara’s teaching. She is full of positive energy and encouragement.” – Jocelynn Johannesson, Nominator |
Demika Palmer – Victoria“Demika is the swim instructor at Gordon Head Pool that teaches participants how to improve their swimming strokes. She helps people feel comfortable in the water and focus on their improvements of self-esteem, confidence and empowerment.” – Richard Normand, Nominator |
George Jamieson – Victoria“Since we’re volunteering at the James Bay Community Project, George has been helping our participants with connecting and building community together. He’s fun and happy all the time.” – Agnieszka Stefan, Nominator |
Maria Van Sloun – Victoria“Maria volunteers every Monday to help the participants from the Frederic Ozanam Community Inclusion Program make a huge pot of soup from scratch. The participants have gained enormous confidence. Maria has created a warm, caring and socially inclusive environment for our participants.” – Lisa Van Veelen, Nominator |
Susannah Andersen – Victoria“Susannah brings in her Jack Russel, Sarah, to our community inclusion program at Frederic Ozanam Community Inclusion Program every week. Susannah and Sarah have contributed to our participants’ social skills with others and have definitely brightened their lives.” – Lisa Van Veelen, Nominator |
Peggy Nancarrow – Esquimalt (WOW AWARD WINNER)
DeviANTS Theatre Troupe – Victoria
Eve Reinarz – Nanaimo (WOW AWARD WINNER)
Jessica Pesant – Sooke
Cherry Schellenberg – Victoria