VANCOUVER – Community Living BC (CLBC) invites you to recognize an inclusion superhero in your community by nominating them for a 2019 CLBC Widening Our World (WOW) award.
CLBC holds the WOW awards to recognize the many ways people are leading the way to make sure adults with developmental disabilities are included in their communities. Whether it is an employer, teacher, support worker, community member, someone who lives with a disability, or anyone else that is making sure their community is welcoming and respectful of all people, please tell us about it!
Since 2009, over 40 people have been recognized with an award for their leadership in making people feel included. Past winners have been recognized for creating an inclusive band, or hiring people who live with a developmental disability, or building awareness about how people with diverse abilities contribute to their community. You can read about past WOW Award winners here.
Nominating someone is easy. You can complete the online nomination form here, or print the hard copy nomination form here and mail or fax it in, or visit a local CLBC office to request a nomination form. No matter how you choose to nominate someone, everyone is encouraged to recognize the person they think has an unwavering commitment to making sure people with differing abilities are welcomed as active participants in their community.
Nominations are open until July 31, 2019 at 5 p.m.
Winners will be determined by September 2019 by a committee that includes people served by CLBC, community members, families and CLBC staff. Award winners will be celebrated with events in their home community in October 2019 during Community Inclusion Month. You can find out more by visiting www.CommunityLivingBC.ca/WOW.
Quotes from Past WOW Award Winners
Brian Smith, CEO and Founder, Persephone Brewing Co., WOW Award Winner, Gibsons
“It’s an honour to be recognized for our work on inclusion. However, it’s a much greater honour to be working alongside our people at Persephone. All of them, whether living with disabilities or not, have embraced inclusion as integral to our commitment to using our business as a force for good. By being a Certified B Corporation we are saying that we are dedicated to improving the lives of our people, our community and the environment upon which we all depend. Our friends, allies and employees from Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living enrich our business model so much so that I would say we couldn’t do it without them.”
Eve Reinarz, WOW Award Winner, Nanaimo
“It’s such an honour to receive this award. I believe that building community, connecting with one another and “being part of something good” is not only at the core of our work, but at the very core of human existence and our day to day life. Study after study proves belonging is our deepest need. We all want and need to know that we matter, that we belong and that our voices are heard. As we’ve witnessed first-hand here at Foodshare, so much good happens in that power of connection and creation of comm-unity!”
Garth McCreedy, WOW Award Winner, Chilliwack
“When Eddy brought it to my attention that he was nominating me, I was flabbergasted because I didn’t think I was doing anything unusual. I enjoy playing golf and being active and I knew Eddy was an athlete, far better than me, and he wanted to play golf so I asked him to join me and we’ve been going ever since. I thought I was being selfish because I just wanted someone to play golf with. I didn’t think what I was doing was worthy of an award of any kind. When CLBC called me to tell me I won an award, I couldn’t believe it, I was really honoured.”
Shelley DeCoste, Self Advocate, Nominator and WOW Award Winner, Kelowna
“I nominated the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary because I love being a part of the Club. They make me feel that I’m a part my community. We’re always out volunteering; they include me in all their activities and help me to get to events and meetings. I enjoy it so much that they make their Friday 7 a.m. meetings worth it!”
“I was surprised to hear that I won a WOW Award. I was so excited to nominate the Rotary that I didn’t think anyone would be nominating me. I was very proud to read Sylvie’s nomination of me and look back at all the accomplishments I have achieved. It makes me want to fight a little harder to help other people succeed.”