CLBC and the BCGEU is thrilled to announce Bremiella De Guzman, Facilitator at CLBC’s Surrey office, as the 2020 Don Philpott Making a Difference Award recipient.
The Making a Difference Award is a joint CLBC-BCGEU sponsored annual employee recognition award program that celebrates employees as CLBC’s most important resource and provides staff members an opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of their colleagues.
Announced last spring, Brem was also crowned Miss Canada 2020 after winning title of Miss B.C in 2019. As a long-time volunteer in her community, Brem now uses her titles to advocate for a more inclusive society.
While the judging panel received several strong nominations, Brem’s extraordinary commitment to her work at CLBC as well as to her community left a lasting impression on the judges.
Karen Mackay, CLBC Director of People Services or Organizational Development, and Linda Atamanik, Facilitator and BCGEU representative, shares this statement: “It is our privilege and honor to present Brem with the Don Philpott Making a Difference Award for 2020. Despite all the challenges this year continues to throw at us, Bremiella continues to demonstrate her commitment to individuals, families, and her coworkers in every aspect of her life.”
As recipient of the award, Brem will receive a $500 bursary for a self advocate of her choice.
”It is truly an honour to be recognized and receive the Making A Difference award this year, which has been very eventful to say the least,” says Brem. “While I’m ironically not someone who is comfortable with recognition, I do take pride in the work that I do and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I proud to be working for an organization that helps enrich the lives of people with disabilities. There is no greater reward to me than seeing the individuals that I work with succeed.”
Her nominator, Victoria Daniel, says Brem’s passion for her work is obvious and undeniable.
“If there is anything certain about Brem, it is that she absolutely loves her job. She will tell you that her favourite part of it is working with her individuals and allowing them to see their potential. She loves to see them succeed,” says Victoria.
“Brem is such a deserving young woman who works humbly and tirelessly to promote inclusion in the Lower Mainland and beyond,” says Cheryl Blake, Integrate Services Manager in Surrey. “She has spearheaded fundraising campaigns that have made a difference in Community agencies that are visible improvements like the child size railings at the BC Centre for Ability. Her passion is obvious, and we at CLBC are fortunate to her on our team to make the world a better place.”
A talented speaker, Brem has also educated the public about inclusion and deinstitutionalization as a participant of the Young Changemakers panel discussion at the Diversity Symposium in Richmond.
Though much of her travel plans as Miss Canada have been sidelined by the pandemic, Brem finds ways to a difference any way she can, including sewing 500 cloth masks to hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Congratulations, Brem for this well-deserved honour!
As the inspiration behind this award, Don Philpott was a CLBC Facilitator, BCGEU union rep and lifelong community champion until he passed away. Don embodied the characteristics that are used as selection criteria for this award.
