In October and November, CLBC and its partners held events in Nanaimo, Kelowna, and North Vancouver to present Widening Our World (WOW) Awards to this year’s recipients. These personal events were a chance to celebrate these six inclusion champions in their communities with their friends, family, support networks, service providers, and CLBC staff.
October 3
David Paynter – Community Organizer, Kelowna
David has been working on building inclusion for the people CLBC serves for 30 years. His award, announced at the annual Community Inclusion Month celebration at Kelowna’s city hall, coincided with the annual gathering in of the inclusion circle to acknowledge and promote the importance of everyone having a sense of belonging.
You can read the story about David on Castanet here.
October 21
Michael McLellan – Self Advocate Leader, Nanaimo
Michael started talking about the importance of inclusion when he was in grade 6. He received his award from Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson at an event surrounded by his friends, family, CLBC staff and people with whom he collaborates on various inclusion projects and initiatives.
You can read the story about Michael in the Comox Valley Record and the Nanaimo News Bulletin here.
October 28
Taylor and Jodi Kolb – Home Sharing Providers, Kelowna
Taylor and Jodi have been home sharing providers for over 20 years. They received their award from Nadine Warren, CLBC Integrated Services Manager, at an event at Pathways that included people served by that organization.
You can read the story about Taylor and Jodi on Castanet here.
November 10
Ali Aslaminejad and Azar Taherzadeh – Home Sharing Providers, North Vancouver
Ali and Azar have been home sharing providers for over 10 years to two individuals with complex needs. They received their award from Bob Youssef, CLBC regional director, at Hollyburn Services surrounded by friends, family, and Hollyburn and CLBC staff.
CLBC has been holding the WOW awards since 2009 to celebrate inclusion champions across B.C. For the 2022 awards, CLBC received 41 nominations to recognize people who are making a difference in our communities. A provincial committee of self advocate leaders, family members and CLBC staff selected this year’s recipients for their outstanding commitment to helping to build communities where people of all abilities feel welcome and included. Learn more about each recipient by visiting CLBC’s website here.
