December 16, 2024 • 57 mins
Episode 26 – Celebrating the 2024 CharityVillage Award Winners
Join us in celebrating the 2024 winners of the CharityVillage Awards! These winners were announced on November 20, 2024, at our annual conference, and now is your chance to hear more about their exceptional achievements. With winners in categories such as volunteer management, workplace mental health, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and overall staff and volunteer impact, it’s a great chance to hear more about why their programs, services, and organizations as a whole stood out to our panel of expert judges. Hear from our award winners, in this episode of CharityVillage Connects!
Meet Our Guests
- Marla Smith, Director of Development, Niagara Children’s Centre - Best Fundraising Campaign (Under 20 Staff)
- Hannah Westner, Senior Project Manager, LearnSphere - Best Employer - Workplace Mental Health (Under 20 Staff)
- Hasan-Ali Abidi, Senior Advisor, Play Forever - Best Contribution to Youth Advancement - Individual
- Mahlikah Outten, Director of Programming for Neighbourhood Impact, Toronto Centre for Community Learning & Development - Best Employer - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (Under 20 Staff) - co-winner
- Carolyn Saenz, Associate Director, Systems & Infrastructure, East Scarborough Storefront - A Project of Makeway - Best Employer - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (Under 20 Staff) - co-winner
- Pulsara Batra, Manager, Volunteer Services/Mentorship Program, Covenant House Toronto - Best Employer - Volunteer Management (20+ staff) - co-winner
- Margaret Jetelina, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society - Best Employer - Volunteer Management (20+ Staff) - co-winner
- Anukrati Nigam, Program and Administrative Officer, PEGASUS Institute - Best Volunteer Management (Under 20 Staff) and Best Volunteer Management Professional
- Maria Guardado - Volunteer Impact - co-winner
- Lois Tuffin, Volunteer Peterborough - Volunteer Impact - co-winner
About your Host
Mary Barroll, president of CharityVillage, is an online business executive and lawyer with a background in media, technology and IP law. A former CBC journalist and TV producer, in 2013 she was appointed General Counsel & VP Media Affairs at CharityVillage.com, Canada’s largest job portal for charities and not for profits in Canada, and then President in 2021. Mary is also President of sister company, TalentEgg.ca, Canada’s No.1, award-winning job board and online career resource that connects top employers with top students and grads.
Additional Resources from this Episode
We've gathered the resources from this episode into one helpful list:
Learn more and listen to the full interviews with the guests here.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:06):
Ladies and gentlemen, once again it's time to honor the exceptional individuals who make aremarkable impact in the non-profit sector and help Canadians across the country.
Welcome to the fourth annual Charity Village Awards Gala.
Yes, tonight we celebrate the extraordinary individuals whose exceptional contributionshave greatly impacted their organizations and the entire nonprofit sector.
(00:35):
And we give tribute to the outstanding organizations who've achieved exemplary results forthe betterment of their employees and the communities they serve.
And now, without further ado, here's your host for tonight's ceremonies.
President of Charity Village, Mary Barrell.
Well, thank you and welcome to a special edition of Charity Village Connects, a podcastthat explores topics vital to the nonprofit sector in Canada.
(01:03):
As the year 2024 comes to an end and 2025 begins, we're celebrating the extraordinaryachievements of exceptional volunteers, nonprofit professionals and their organizations.
along with their commitment, passion and drive that will keep the non-profit sector inCanada moving forward into the new year and beyond.
(01:25):
We're shining the spotlight on the winners of the 2024 Charity Village National Awards.
I wasn't expecting to win to be honest because there were so many amazing people and I'mtruly honoured and privileged and it means the world.
So thank you so much to the judges and the panelists and everybody at Charity Village.
I'm so deeply honoured and
(01:45):
Words cannot express my gratitude.
For me, it was a little baffling.
Honestly, when you said my name, I was like, what?
Really?
What happened?
I've won a lot of awards for my journalism work and other things in the community, butthis is different.
We were absolutely blown away.
Last year we were a finalist and this year to be a winner was really just a wonderfulopportunity to shine a light on the good work that takes place at Niagara Children's
(02:13):
Centre every day.
and the amazing partnerships that have really chosen to invest in Niagara Children'sCentre.
All of our team members, they work from a place of passion and compassion.
And we often go above and beyond to ensure that our programs and activities are beneficialto those that we are serving or trying to reach.
So it is nice to be recognized for all of the extras that we put in individually andcollectively.
(02:38):
We wanted to put forward this nomination not just to recognize our efforts, but to alsohighlight
what's possible when we lead with values like power sharing, equity and collaboration.
We hope this nomination inspires others to adopt similar principles and practices in theirwork.
Looking outwards, it's nice to be able to demonstrate that management at Learnsphere isleading by example.
(03:00):
To have that recognized nationally is really rewarding.
You know, we're really pleased that Charity Village is shining a light on workplace mentalhealth within their list of non-profit awards.
I grew up in subsidized, low-income housing and
That's kind of my passion for nonprofit work came in.
And being from one side, receiving the supports of other nonprofits to actually being ableto join a nonprofit on an executive level and help people who are in my situation, that
(03:26):
probably highlighted my impact in the work I do.
I feel like we're on this trajectory of really being recognized for all of this work thatwe've been doing for a very long time.
And so this really solidifies that
DEI centering that we have at the centre, what we do and why we do it.
(03:49):
And we stand out because we talk the talk and we walk the talk.
You know, we really embody DEI.
I think really what helps our program stand out is that not only are the volunteers makinga difference in the community, which is often the reason they join in the first place, but
they receive so much in return as well.
(04:10):
Being named a finalist is incredibly meaningful to our team, to the volunteers who supportus and to our entire organization.
It is a recognition of the dedication and hard work we put into supporting homeless,trafficked and at-risk youth and we truly, truly appreciate the acknowledgement.
(04:31):
You just heard what our 2024 winners of the Charity Village National Awards had to sayupon hearing they'd been recognized by their peers for being among the very best in the
nonprofit sector.
In this special episode, each of them will be sharing a bit about their work and some ofthe secrets of their success.
Their stories are truly inspiring and are sure to give other organizations of any size ormission some valuable insight.
(05:00):
But before we hear from these guests, I want to tell you about the National CharityVillage Awards and the outstanding achievements they recognize.
Our aim with these awards is to highlight excellence in the areas that are crucial tofuture success and resilience of every nonprofit organization and to the sector itself.
(05:22):
In this episode, we'll be recognizing exceptional efforts in the fields of fundraising,volunteer management,
workplace mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion, outstanding impact byindividuals, and so much more.
And to even the field among many diverse organizations of different sizes and resources,we've split our awards in each category for nonprofits with over 20 staff members and for
(05:51):
those with under 20 staff members.
All winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges made up of subject matter expertswith expertise in the award category, who generously volunteer their time to help Charity
Village celebrate excellence in the Canadian nonprofit sector.
These awards, first announced at our annual Charity Village National Conference and Awardsheld in November of 2024, have already sparked excitement within the nonprofit community.
(06:22):
If you're eager to learn what sets the winners apart in the eyes of our independentjudges, you're in for a treat.
We'll dive into their remarkable achievements and the strategies behind their success.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy the show.
The awards are about to begin.
(06:44):
And now it's time to draw back the curtains and begin this exciting awards gala.
Up first on the Charity Village Awards, the winner of the Best Fundraising Campaign for anorganization with less than 20 staff.
Welcome back our host, Mary Barrow, to announce the winner.
Fundraising is the lifeblood of the nonprofit sector, driven by passionate individuals whowork tirelessly to connect donors with meaningful causes.
(07:12):
constantly seeking creative and innovative approaches to generate support.
So our first award winner in the category of best fundraising campaign for an organizationwith under 20 staff is, drum roll please, the Niagara Children's Centre.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Niagara Children's Centre is Marla Smith, Directorfor Development, who's here to tell us more about the organization, the work they do,
(07:41):
and the winning fundraising formula that captured our judges nod for a win.
Congratulations, Marla.
Thank you so much.
Niagara Children's Centre is a pediatric rehabilitation centre for children and theirfamilies who need support for developmental, physical and or communicative delays.
(08:01):
And we support them on an outgoing patient basis.
Wow, that's great.
I'm curious from your perspective, since of course you're the winner,
What do you think really stood out about your nomination and the submissions that weremade about your organization?
I think some of the things that really stood out were the impacts that we've been able tomake as a smaller charity serving a really diverse and important group of individuals,
(08:30):
largely children with special needs.
I think the impacts that we've been able to make and the connections.
that Niagara Children's Center has been able to engage with corporate partners,foundations, special events, really drew the community into what we were doing and gave a
place for families to feel accepted in their own community.
(08:53):
Well, that's wonderful.
It's great to hear the kind of work that you're doing.
What does it mean to you and your organization to actually win one of these awards?
We were absolutely blown away.
Last year we were a finalist and this year to be a winner was really just a wonderfulopportunity to shine a light on the good work that takes place at Niagara Children's
(09:15):
Centre every day and the amazing partnerships that have really chosen to invest in NiagaraChildren's Centre.
They've had many opportunities to support other worthy organizations and they've chosenNiagara Children's Centre and I think that platform
allows people with diverse abilities to feel accepted in their community.
(09:36):
And I know when I was able to share the news that we were the winners of this amazingaward through Charity Village, the families of the donors and the staff all felt a sense
of pride and knowledge knowing that an organization that means so much to them wasrecognized in such a lovely way.
(10:00):
Let's hear it for the Niagara Children's Center and the fantastic work they do.
For our next category of the Charity Village Awards, the award for the best nonprofitemployer for workplace mental health.
Once again, here's Mary to announce the winner.
Thank you.
(10:20):
With burnout becoming a widespread challenge in the nonprofit sector, forward-lookingorganizations are adopting strategies to foster mentally healthy workplaces where staff
and volunteers can flourish.
This award honors organizations that are supporting work-life balance and team well-beingthrough innovative and adaptable initiatives.
(10:43):
In the category of best nonprofit employer for workplace mental health, the winner for anorganization with under 20 staff members is Learnsphere.
Accepting the award for Learnsphere is Hannah Westner, Senior Project Manager.
(11:03):
Anna, congratulations and well done.
Can you tell us more about what you do?
Thank you so much.
We are really honoured to be nominated and to win.
Learn Sphere is a small organization that provides business skills, education andorganizational management to small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.
(11:23):
Terrific.
What do you think made your nomination stand out to our judges?
We use independent judges, so we'd love to know what it is that you think really compelledthem to vote for you as the winner.
Well, we had some stats on our application around really low levels of staff turnover.
Our CEO has been in the roles for 25 years or more, and other senior staff have all beenthere for a long time.
(11:49):
We were proud to say that everybody takes their full vacation allowance every year.
So that was a good statistic, but I think what was probably more significant was we had ameaningful testimonial from every single staff member describing the impact of the
workplace on their own mental health and their appreciation for management's efforts atpromoting mental health in the workplace.
(12:09):
I'm sure that's very compelling to have heard from the employees themselves.
That's terrific.
I would love to know what it means to your organization and to you and the employees aboutbeing named the winner of the award.
Well, it was very gratifying for sure.
You know, I think within the team, it really made us feel good that we could recognize ourmanagement team in this way and validate the work that they do to build a supportive and
(12:34):
inclusive culture for us every day.
You know, it's definitely a sense of team pride, knowing that we're part of a team wherewell-being is really important.
Looking outwards, it's nice to be able to demonstrate that management at Learnsphere isleading by example.
And
To have that recognized nationally is really rewarding.
(12:54):
A well-deserved win for LearnSphere.
Congratulations!
For our next category of the Charity Village Awards, here's the award for an individualwho made the best contribution to youth advancement.
Here's our host to announce the exceptional winner.
Although fostering youth advancement in the workplace requires a collective organizationaleffort, we all know
(13:17):
that its success ultimately hinges on the commitment and contributions of passionateindividuals.
And this year's winner of the award for best contribution to youth advancement by anindividual is truly exceptional.
The 2024 award goes to Hassan Ali Abidi, Director of Operations at Play Forever.
(13:40):
Hassan Ali, congratulations on this amazing win.
Can you tell us about your organization?
Play Forever, we're a non-profit organization and we provide free programming forunderserved communities, low income families and youth.
So all of our programming is centered around sports and we tie in stuff like education,recreation, health, mental health, services like that and programs where we offer them to
(14:03):
youth who are not able to reach these programs.
And all of our programs are completely free.
That's what we stand for.
Well, that's a really extraordinary contribution to make to young people who may nototherwise have access to those kinds of services that are so important to getting through
early part of young lives, especially with the challenges today.
(14:23):
What do you think made your nomination stand out?
I would say first off, it's more of a testament to our organization, like super humbledand honored to be part of an organization like Play Forever to even have the opportunity
to do the things I do.
In terms of like the individual award, I think
just my story coming from these programs which I'm serving.
(14:43):
I grew up in subsidized low income housing and that's kind of my passion for nonprofitwork came in and being from one side receiving the supports of other nonprofits to
actually being able to join a nonprofit on an executive level and help people who are inmy situation that probably highlighted my impact in the work I do.
Well, it sure does.
And what a great story about you being able to benefit from
(15:07):
all these people working so hard in charities and nonprofits and then turning around andgiving back to your own community.
I think that's a wonderful story.
What does it mean for you and your organization to be a winner?
I think just highlighting the work we do as an organization is very impactful.
It's a huge thing we're doing, especially at a young age.
(15:30):
This is where all the development starts and ensuring they have the right resourcesavailable at their hand is very important.
Let's give a warm congratulations to Hassan Ali for stepping up and giving back for theadvancement of youth.
A truly inspiring young man.
For our next category of the Charity Village Awards, we turn to the awards for the bestnonprofit employers contribution to DEI in the workplace.
(15:57):
Let's welcome back Mary to announce the winner.
We all know that nonprofits are first and foremost dedicated to providing services,guidance and support to specific communities and causes.
Equally important, though, is their responsibility to reflect the values and principlesthey champion externally within their own organizations.
(16:22):
This award highlights organizations and individuals who exemplify socially responsiblehiring and onboarding practices.
It recognizes their dedication to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, communityoutreach, and accessibility.
through policies that create a workplace reflecting these ideals.
(16:44):
This year, in the category of nonprofit employers with less than 20 staff members, ourjudges were so impressed with the amazing finalists, we had a tie among two very special
organizations.
This year, we celebrate two co-winners, and the winners are...
East Scarborough Storefront, a project of make-way.
(17:06):
and Toronto Centre for Community Learning and Development.
Accepting the award for the Toronto Centre for Community Learning and Development is theorganization's Director of Programming for Neighborhood Impact, Malaika Ahten.
Congratulations, Malaika.
Perhaps you can start by telling us a bit about what you do.
(17:27):
Definitely for our centre, it's really about having this vision of stronger communitiestogether.
And we do this through facilitating community connections through innovative learning.
We are in the heart of Regent Park at 540 Dundas East near Sackville in downtown Toronto.
(17:47):
And our catchment area includes Regent Park, St.
Jamestown and Moss Park, along with the GTA.
We currently serve mostly newcomer and immigrant populations from diverse backgrounds.
which continue to experience exclusion from various services and programs, large in partdue to systemic barriers.
(18:11):
Many of our participants are also in the shelter system.
They are refugee claimants that are navigating the immigration and settlement system, andthey are waiting for secure housing.
So our core programs at the center are the Immigrant Women's Integration LeadershipProgram, as well as Academic Upskilling and the Regent Park Sewing Studio.
(18:38):
And all of these programs are really centered around employability skills, like numeracy,communication, collaboration, problem solving, writing, adaptability, reading, creativity
and innovation, as well as digital skills.
And this fosters a sense of belonging so that participants may in turn empower others.
(19:02):
Well, that sounds like a wonderful mission and it sounds like you do fantastic workworking with a very diverse client base.
What do you think made your nomination stand out to the judges?
I think it's because over these 40 years that we've been in existence serving ourcommunities.
We've continued to demonstrate exemplary diversity, equity and inclusion best practices.
(19:27):
And these best practices are evident in our inclusive hiring.
We ensure that our staff reflect the cultural diversity and the intersectionality ofidentities of our community members.
We also have an outstanding track record of hiring graduates from our program.
(19:49):
and residents from our communities.
And I feel our approach to building authentic collaborations with grassroots organizationsthat inform and represent local community needs is an important aspect of holding
ourselves accountable with our DEI practices.
(20:09):
Finally, I feel like having, you know, a hybrid work culture which provides thatflexibility, that accessibility,
and takes into account the overall health and wellbeing of staff, volunteers, and programparticipants, enable us to flourish in a mindful, heartful, and relateful way in our work
(20:33):
environment.
Well, I love that story about actually hiring the folks that have been going through yourprograms.
What a great introduction to working in Canada, particularly those that are newcomers toour society.
It's wonderful to hear
how you've integrated that into your actual recruitment for your own organization.
What does it mean to you to be nominated and winning the Charity Village National Awards?
(20:57):
What does it mean to your organization and to you personally?
Well, in December of 2023, our organization was the recipient of the City of Toronto'sAccess, Equity and Human Rights Constance E.
Hamilton Award for Women in Equity.
And I feel like we're on this trajectory of really being recognized for all of this workthat we've been doing for a very long time.
(21:27):
And we stand out because we talk the talk and we walk the talk.
You know, we really embody DEI.
Well, on behalf of Charity Village, I want to congratulate you for this amazing win andthe wonderful work that you're doing within our community.
And now, accepting the award on behalf of the co-winner for our best nonprofit employer,Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, East Scarborough Storefront, a project of Makeway, here
(21:57):
is Carolyn Sines, Associate Director, Systems and Infrastructure.
Carolyn, congratulations on your win.
Thank you.
Well, why don't we start off by telling our audience just exactly what your organizationdoes and what your mission is and how you work.
Sure.
So East Scarborough Storefront opened in 2001 with a commitment to serving the KingstonGalloway Orton Park community, otherwise known as KGO.
(22:24):
And KGO is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse communities in Canada and alsothe largest First Nation Metis Inuit community outside of downtown Toronto.
Our work at Storefront is guided by a community development framework that we call theConnected Community Approach, which focuses on strengthening relationships among people,
(22:47):
organizations, and institutions.
We call it CCA for short.
CCA creates conditions for local solutions to emerge and thrive through collaboration.
By proactively sharing knowledge, identifying strategies, and aligning efforts, we connectlocal initiatives to broader strategies.
This ensures that KGO is not only a recipient of change, but also an active participant inshaping equitable collective outcomes.
(23:14):
I'm curious as to what was it about the Charity Village Awards that made you want tonominate the organization and the work that you do in this area for the award.
What was it that was meaningful to you?
The Star-Front's work shows how community-driven equity-focused approaches can lead toreal systemic change.
So we wanted to put forward this nomination not just to recognize our efforts, but to alsohighlight what's possible when we lead with values like power sharing, equity, and
(23:42):
collaboration.
We hope this nomination inspires others to adopt similar principles and practices in theirwork.
It isn't just a pat on the back for us.
It's rather a recognition of the shared leadership across our community with residents,partners, and other stakeholders who have come together.
(24:02):
to drive meaningful change.
I'd love to know what you think about what it was in your nomination that really stood outto the judges.
Our commitment to racial justice likely stood out because it's real deep and ongoingcommitment that has become everything that we do.
Our CCA framework was actually transformed into a playbook as a way to connect with thecommunity and create real impact.
(24:26):
It's used by all of our staff.
So applying equity and power sharing has meant that we can create this change, not just toaddress individual issues, but to also influence and transform larger systems.
These actions show our commitment to long-term change.
It's not short-term fixes.
(24:46):
So yeah, what sets us apart is this holistic approach that we're taking.
We apply all these principles across all facets of our work, from program design to policydevelopment to staff training and governance.
It's a comprehensive baked in approach, ensuring that every part of what we do is alignedwith our values and principles.
I'd like to wrap up by asking you what it means to you and your organization to have wonthis award and be recognized in this way for the Charity Village Awards.
(25:17):
It definitely validates the progress we've made embedding equity into what we're doing.
And it reinforces our vision to create a connected and equitable community.
It's not just about what we've accomplished, but we're also holding ourselves accountable.
And it's inspiring us to continue driving this real important work, especially as we arenow preparing to update and expand our action plan with more of an intersectional lens.
(25:44):
Well, on behalf of Charity Village, we want to say congratulations, Carolyn, for thisreally impressive win and the contributions that you're making.
to both DEI within the workplace and within the communities that you serve.
Thank you.
Thank you once again for this honor.
Thanks.
Next up on the Charity Village Awards, the winner of the Best Volunteer Program by anonprofit organization with more than 20 staff.
(26:12):
Here's Mary with more.
Our next award recognizes organizations with over 20 staff who are finding exceptionalways to recruit and engage their volunteers.
Volunteers play a vital role in our sector and contribute greatly to an organization'ssuccess.
This past year saw continuing challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers.
(26:36):
This award is dedicated to those that found ways to overcome the obstacles and maintain astrong volunteer program.
And once again, our judges were so impressed with the exceptional finalists that we haveanother tie of two amazing organizations.
The co-winners for the award for the best volunteer program are...
(27:01):
Covenant House Toronto and Diverse City Community Resources Society.
Congratulations to two exceptional winners.
First, here to accept the award on behalf of Covenant House Toronto, we have PaulseraBatra, Manager of Volunteer Services and the Mentoring Program.
Paulsera, please tell us what your organization does.
(27:24):
Sure, Covenant House is the largest youth shelter in Canada and we serve youth.
experiencing homelessness and trafficking.
And you know, we have very large variety of programs at Covenant House and youth agesbetween 16 to 24 can access our services.
And what do you think it was about your nomination and the kind of work you do that reallycaptured our judges eye and got you the win?
(27:51):
I believe what set our application apart was the profound impact of our diverse and mentor
base, volunteer and mentor base, along with the various programs and services offered toyoung people at Covenant House Toronto.
Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting youth and helping them to reach their fullpotential.
(28:14):
We also prioritize strong volunteer onboarding process to ensure privacy, confidentialityand safety of young people we serve.
Finally, but most importantly, our volunteer engagement process.
We focus on keeping volunteers connected, engaged, and ensuring their roles at CovenantHouse Toronto are meaningful and fulfilling for them.
(28:37):
I'm very happy to hear about all the work that you do.
What does it mean to you and your organization to be nominated and named a co-winner inthis very important award?
How do you feel?
Being named a finalist is incredibly meaningful to our team.
To the volunteers who support us and to our entire organization, it is a recognition ofthe dedication and hard work we put into supporting homeless, trafficked and at-risk
(29:05):
youth, and we truly, truly appreciate the acknowledgement.
Congratulations to Paulsara Batra and Covenant House Toronto for all the life-changingwork you do.
And now I'm very pleased to introduce you to our second co-winner for the Best NonprofitEmployer Volunteer Program for an organization with over 20 staff.
(29:29):
Diverse City Community Resources Society.
Accepting the award is Margaret Gettelina, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications.
I'd love to hear more about your organization.
Can you tell our audience what it is that you do and your mission?
Diversity Community Resources Society is a registered charity in Surrey, BC.
(29:51):
It opened its doors 46 years ago in response to growing needs in the community,particularly for immigrant and refugee communities.
Today, Surrey is really the fastest growing city in BC, welcoming about 28 new residentsevery day.
And at Diversity, we offer many programs and services for them, everything from newcomersettlement services,
(30:14):
to diverse employment programs and English language classes, as well as counseling, andthen also our volunteer program, which is why we're here today.
Together, all of these social services help people in the community build their lives andto strengthen the community overall.
And that's pretty much our mission, to strengthen communities.
Underpinning all this work, diversity is really guided by a commitment to social justice,equity, and truth and reconciliation.
(30:42):
And ultimately,
It's the people behind diversity from its board to its staff and all its volunteers whoare the change makers doing the work and making an impact in the community.
Well, that's great.
Maybe you could tell us a little bit about your volunteer program.
Definitely.
So we wanted to nominate the volunteer program and just to highlight the importance ofvolunteerism as a whole for our work here at diversity and in the community overall.
(31:08):
It really has been a hallmark in supporting our
delivery of our services for many decades.
We have a stable of about two to three hundred volunteers annually who contribute to thedelivery and success of our programs and services.
All these volunteers are guided by a small but mighty team of coordinators who recruit,onboard, train and empower them with the skills and information they need to not only
(31:32):
achieve the goals that they want, but to help support delivery of services to some of ourcommunities most.
vulnerable populations.
What do you think really made your nomination stand out and get this win?
Our volunteer program is inspiring on so many levels.
For starters, our volunteers really help us provide the important services we're doing inthe community.
(31:56):
So that could be anything from delivering groceries to isolated seniors, to helping uslead English conversation circles, to supporting us in our community kitchen, and so many
other types of services.
For example, this week we're actually wrapping up our annual Bundle Up Coat Drivecampaign, which gathers coats, hats and gloves for families in need.
(32:18):
And this campaign truly depends on the support of volunteers.
They're the ones who come, sort through all the coats, organize, help distribute the coatsjust in time for the colder weather and the holiday season.
And then in the new year, the volunteer program shifts gears and starts busy trainingvolunteers and preparing for tax time.
So the volunteers help people file their income taxes through our annual income taxclinic.
(32:43):
Another really interesting, innovative part of our program is that we've launched avolunteer brokering initiative and that partners with other local nonprofit organizations.
So it matches our volunteers with opportunities with their organizations.
So that helps diversify the experience they have access to while supporting our partnersas well and helping build the community and strengthening the community overall.
(33:07):
And I think
Really what helps our program stand out is that not only are the volunteers making adifference in the community, which is often the reason they join in the first place, but
they receive so much in return as well.
So for newcomers who are volunteering, that could look like valuable work experience thatthey can put on their resume.
(33:28):
And that's often the first experience they have in Canada.
And this might help them overcome entry barriers they face in the labour market.
For others, could look like skill building or learning opportunities.
That's such a lovely full circle of giving and how giving gives back to yourself.
I would love to know really what it means to you and your organization to win one of theawards at the Charity Village National Awards, especially for the volunteer program.
(33:57):
I think recognition for the work we do is always a wonderful thing.
It's an important way to share the stories of the people who are doing the work every day,supporting people and
building communities, whether that's the volunteers themselves or the staff supporting thevolunteers.
Working in the non-profit sector can be really challenging work and an award like thiskind of puts a spotlight on those teams and people who are really giving their all to make
(34:22):
an impact in the community.
Congratulations to DiverseCity for their terrific work and the exceptional volunteerprogram that helps make it happen.
Our next award winner has pulled off double success with back-to-back victories.
The winner of the Best Volunteer Program for a Non-Profit Organizations with under 20staff and the award for the Best Individual Achievements as a Volunteer Management
(34:50):
Professional.
There's no doubt that volunteer managers are crucial when it comes to creating successfulvolunteer programs.
Our next award recognizes individuals who have achieved exceptional success in this area.
I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer.
Let's take a moment to celebrate the winner of the award for Best Volunteer ManagementProfessional and the award for the Best Volunteer Program for an organization with under
(35:19):
20 staff.
This year's winner is Anukrary Nigam, Program and Administrative Officer
at Pegasus Institute.
This really is a winning sweep of the volunteer awards, having won the individual awardfor exceptional contributions to a volunteer program, as well as the winner of the award
(35:41):
for the best volunteer program by an employer for an organization with under 20 staff.
What a superstar, congratulations.
Thank you so much.
Tell me a little bit about your organization.
What does the Pegasus Institute actually do?
What is its mandate?
Pegasus Institute is a registered Canadian educational charity that works at theintersection of peace, global health and environmental sustainability.
(36:06):
The Institute has a solid base of justice and equity and amplifying the voices ofequity-seeking populations and groups.
We seek to connect, network and share information on a global scale to develop morecollaborative, diverse and innovative solutions.
We strive to bring many perspectives from many different contexts to the table with theultimate goals of improving health and equity for all life forms.
(36:32):
Well, that's quite an accomplishment.
What an amazing contribution you're making both locally and globally.
What do you think made your nomination as best volunteer program by an organization standout to the judges?
So at an organizational level, I think for the judges.
I think it was our reach at the global level, and especially the fact that we have thismultilingual programming, which is such an asset, especially with the diverse Canadian
(36:59):
society that we have, and the mentorship programs, because I also think mentorship is akey component, especially while building the next future generation leaders.
And overall, Pegasus Institute ensures to provide an educational and professionalnetworking platform as well.
that helps the next generation leaders in the fields of peace, global health andenvironmental sustainability.
(37:20):
So we're trying to really use an umbrella for all these three fields and bring all thepeople in together.
And I think that might have stood out for the judges.
It is quite remarkable that you've won both the organizational award and then theindividual award to Andrew Crowdy.
I wonder what
if you feel comfortable telling us what you think stood out for the judges about your ownindividual contributions to the volunteering space.
(37:45):
At an individual level, I also think it could be the testimonials that I had provided inmy application by the volunteers and the employers that I've worked with in the past year.
That was the main boost for me in terms of my work.
I ensured there was consistent volunteer engagement and that needed consistent programmingand regular programming.
to be provided to the volunteers so that they could engage with us and that ensured thatthere was new enrollment coming in.
(38:11):
So communications is also very important aspect to ensure our programming reaches ourintended audience.
And that's how we can have a lot of volunteers consistently engaged through them, ensurethat they're also benefiting from our programming.
Well, I would love to know also what it was about the Charity Village Awards that made youwant to apply, what was attractive to you about them.
(38:33):
First of all, I would like to thank my colleague Rachel Vines who brought it to ourattention that the Charity Village Award nomination applications were going on and that
our work could be a good fit in some of the categories.
And it turns out that she was right.
We often utilize Charity Village as a resource and platform for sharing information aboutPegsys Institute.
And we also recognize the reach that this could have if we qualified.
(38:58):
Now that you're basking in the glory, what does it mean to you to be both nominated andhaving won both the organizational award and the individual award?
What does it mean for your organization and what does it mean for you?
At an organizational level, for us, the recognition of the dedication of a small group ofpeople, because we are very short staff, who run a great variety of programming on a
(39:22):
minimal budget and having global impact and reach means a lot.
All of our team members, work from a place of passion and compassion.
And we often go above and beyond to ensure that our programs and activities are beneficialto those that we are serving or trying to reach.
So it is nice to be recognized for all of the extras that we put in individually andcollectively.
(39:44):
And our team members are the best.
We are working like a well-oiled machine.
So I really appreciate that at an organizational level, we were recognized.
What does it mean for you individually to have won an award and be recognized in this way?
For me, it's more like a chicken and egg situation.
I'm really happy that a lot of work that I did in collaboration with my fantastic teammembers and a large volunteer base was reflected in the application and nomination for
(40:10):
Pegasus Institute.
And then it just seemed fair that my individual hard work was also recognized through thenominations.
It's all good.
Everything is all joy and glory at this point.
And now it's time for the Charity Village Most Outstanding Impact Awards by a Volunteer.
(40:33):
And here once again is your host, Mary Barrow.
As we've noted, volunteers are essential to the success of most nonprofits and often theyare the unsung heroes behind the scenes.
With our final award, we pay tribute to two very dedicated volunteers who, in anothertwo-way tie,
(40:56):
won our Outstanding Volunteer Impact Award.
The co-winners of the Outstanding Impact by Volunteer Award are...
Gradado and Lois Tuffin.
We'll hear from both of these exceptional volunteers, but let's start with Maria Gradado,who volunteers at an extraordinary number of organizations, including the Toronto
(41:21):
Foundation for Youth Involvement in Politics,
The Junior League of Toronto, Youth Without Shelter, results Canada, the Jean-AugustineCentre for Young Women's Empowerment, Raising the Roof Canada, Grito des Mujeres, Women's
Scream Canada, Arab Community Centre of Toronto, and Fuel Changemakers.
(41:44):
Wow, Maria, that is an impressive amount of volunteer work.
Congratulations for winning this important award.
Thank you so, so much.
I'm truly truly honored.
There was so many amazing people in this category and I'm truly honored winning thisaward.
Well maybe you could start by telling us a little bit about your organization.
Yeah so the Toronto Foundation for Youth Involvement in Politics, the TFYIP for short, isa youth-run organization, non-profit, that really seeks to engage young people in
(42:16):
political apparitions and just get civic engagement up to par.
We really do focus on emphasizing youth leadership and giving young people the resourcesthey may need to get involved, whether that be at a local level, through the municipality
or the provincial level, or even on a federal level, trying to connect young people totheir local representatives and or just giving them the right advocacy tools.
(42:37):
That sounds terrific.
I wonder what was it about the Charity Village Awards that made you want to nominate?
Did you nominate yourself or did the group nominate you?
I just nominated myself.
What really motivated me in general is like I know the amazing history of Charity Village.
It's a resource that I've used as well for volunteering in the past.
(42:58):
And I think what really pushed me was you just see something and you never know until youjump an opportunity that it's meant for you or not.
And I just saw the opportunity and really just wanted to grab it by the horns, so to say.
And yeah, I just put my name forward.
I didn't know what would come of it.
I just...
saw it, saw the opportunity, and I took it.
(43:20):
Well, it paid off.
What do you think it was that made your nomination stand out to judges?
I think in my application, I did focus on a lot of the work that I do at the TFIIP, but Idid include numerous works that I do in the community.
So I guess my heavier portfolio would be the TFIIP.
That's what I'm majorly involved in.
(43:41):
But I think that the fact that I really, really am of service to the community and that Ido a lot,
and have taken the TFYP to numerous levels, including on a national level and now aninternational level.
I think that's what really set my application apart, even though it's funny because priorto me applying, I just missed the brink of the international sector in terms of I had had
(44:08):
the stages of it implemented, but then it wasn't carried out till after the fact ofapplying and whatnot.
Even though I didn't mention it, it wasn't completely 100 % confirmed, but then it allworked out in the end.
So yeah, I think that's maybe what set my application apart.
My commitment to service, my commitment to young people, my commitment to women, tochildren, the marginalized group, you know, just basically my commitment to the voiceless.
(44:34):
So I think that's so, so, so important is to stand up for those who are often forgotten.
Well, thank you for that.
What does it mean to you personally?
having been chosen a winner of this very prestigious award.
Honestly, I am so incredibly and deeply honored.
I checked out a lot of the semi-finalists and they were such amazing people doing amazingwork from all over the country.
(44:58):
Honestly, I'm truly honored to even be mentioned alongside with them as well.
So thank you so much to the judges and the panelists and to everybody at Charity Village.
I'm so deeply honored and words cannot express my gratitude.
Congratulations again to Maria Gradado.
We are also delighted to recognize the exceptional work of our other co-winner of theaward for outstanding impact by volunteer, Lois Tuffin from Volunteer Peterborough.
(45:27):
Lois, congratulations on winning this prestigious award.
Can you tell us about your volunteer work?
We started a matchmaking service between volunteers who wanted to do marvelous things andagencies that really, really needed them.
So we had that service existed in our community up until 2016.
And then for reasons that beyond people's control, it disappeared.
(45:49):
So when there became a volunteer crisis during and after the pandemic, we identified thishuge gap and holy cow, did it ever get filled fast.
So I call myself the founder slash instigator of the group.
And I currently chair the board of a fantastic group of people who are doing life-changingwork every day.
(46:10):
That sounds fantastic.
What do you think about the nomination that really stood out for the judges?
Well, so I only saw the letters of the nomination like yesterday.
So, haha, now I know what people said about me.
I think one of the things probably because we took something from zero to 1,500volunteers, 162 organizations.
So I think the numbers themselves speak to the amount of impact that our group is having.
(46:33):
And I think just the fact that I have been relentless.
I put in
20, 30 hours a week sometimes just to keep this thing financed and organized and rollingand innovating and checking with people that are doing this work in other communities and
checking with people in our communities to make sure it works.
So I have been raising the money, I have been recruiting the team, and I think the factthat I just threw so much at it, I have been trying to share my enthusiasm and it has
(47:04):
really helped me bring more other champions and I'm creating a whole new generation ofleaders.
So that's really fun.
The numbers speak for themselves for sure, that's amazing.
And you you have an opportunity to blow your own horn here.
What an extraordinary accomplishment that you've made.
I wonder what it means to you and your organization to be both nominated personally, butthen also the organization as well, what it means to you to be a co-winner of this very,
(47:32):
very important award.
Well, I think for me, it's part of a unity.
There's a whole group of us that are doing things, but the fact that somebody would standup and say,
hey, our team is pretty cool and our team leader has been doing some pretty hard work andthat she inspires us to do these good things.
I think that was really reassuring.
For me, it was a little baffling.
(47:53):
Honestly, when you said my name, I was like, what, really, what happened?
I've won a lot of awards for my journalism work and other things in the community, butthis is different because it's something that I have created and led.
It was very meaningful to have that work.
Recognized and to give us a chance to talk about it a little bit more and encourage othercommunities to if you don't have a volunteer center Talk to a volunteer center and get one
(48:16):
rolling.
It makes such a difference.
I had a thousand testimonials in my head well we will be telling your story about thesuccess that you've had and the amazing way that you've sort of created something from
nothing that is so powerful and
That will give you an opportunity to sort of spread the word and maybe you might end upmentoring a lot of other volunteer organizations in different communities and to be able
(48:37):
to tell them your best advice.
Our goal was always to start a movement.
We're trying to start a movement, get people thinking about volunteering and then getgoing.
So yes.
Tell me a little bit about the movement that you want to inspire.
Our group had a really interesting origin story.
If you give me a few minutes to tell about two and a half years ago, the federal NDPleader was in Peterborough for a campaign event.
(48:59):
And he, Jagmeet Singh, was greeted by some protesters who said some awful things, racistcomments and threatened him.
And a lot of us who live here and are proud of our community were very embarrassed.
So that happened on a Wednesday.
That Saturday, a group of us were leading a food drive and we had hundreds of volunteersout on the street gathering 26,000 pounds of food.
(49:21):
So we thought, how could we possibly have run a city where this bad thing happened andthis good thing happened?
And we realized if you offer people
something positive to do rather than something negative to do.
at least I have a choice.
So then we just started to tap into what is it that makes people want to get involved.
We did focus groups, we did a lot of research about what are people looking for and thenwe built our model.
(49:43):
It's interesting for us because we're probably the only volunteer center that has startedpost pandemic.
So we are starting with the current technology, the current mentality and we don't have alot of baggage and legacy stuff to move ahead so it's allowed us to.
really evolve quickly.
Well, what a star-studded awards gala this has been.
(50:06):
This has been an event full of inspiration, recognition and celebration.
But all good things must come to an end.
Here's our host, Mary Barrow, for some final thoughts from our winners before we close thecurtains on this magnificent gala event.
As we come to the end of our 2024 Charity Village Awards gala,
(50:27):
Let's hear from our award winners about the impact these awards have had on theirorganization's missions.
It's definitely a sense of team pride, knowing that we're part of a team where well-beingis really important.
Looking outwards, it's nice to be able to demonstrate that management at Learnsphere isleading by example, and to have that recognized nationally is really rewarding.
(50:51):
You know, we're really pleased that Charity Village is shining a light on workplace mentalhealth.
It was in their list of non-profit awards, so it's really important to attention to thisimportant issue.
We often go above and beyond to ensure that our programs and activities are beneficial tothose that we are serving or trying to reach.
So it is nice to be recognized for all of the extras that we put in individually andcollectively.
(51:14):
It was an honor for me personally to be recognized at Charity Villages.
It's a huge phenomenon, a hub for all the charities across Canada.
This could mean more people are aware of what we do and could be welcomed into ournetworks to share and develop even more educational materials, information and ways
forward in working on some of the most complex global issues.
(51:36):
This year to be a winner was really just a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on thegood work that takes place at Niagara Children's Centre every day and the amazing
partnerships.
that have really chosen to invest in Niagara Children's Center.
When I was able to share the news that we were the winners of this amazing award throughCharity Village, the families of the donors and the staff all felt a sense of pride and
(52:10):
knowledge knowing that an organization that means so much to them was recognized in such alovely way.
A lot of people, especially with them.
cost of living rising.
A lot of families are not able to afford to send their child to a summer camp or providethem with after school tutoring.
And so being nominated for this award highlights the work we do and hopefully can bringattention to what we're doing and bring companies and organizations involved in our work
(52:37):
to help support these communities.
I feel like we're on this trajectory of really being recognized.
for all of this work that we've been doing for a very long time.
And so this really solidifies.
We are teachers, we are artists, we are activists, we are researchers, and we're leadingin this area.
(53:01):
So whatever we do at the center really ripples out into other parts of the community andthe social service sector and beyond.
Our goal has always been to empower youth accessing our services by helping them buildskills, provide healthy, positive relationships.
(53:23):
This recognition reinforces the importance of that mission.
And I also hope our journey can inspire other organizations and provide an opportunity toshare the knowledge and strategies that have helped us making a difference.
Applying equity and power sharing has meant that we can create this change not just toaddress individual issues but to also influence and transform larger systems.
(53:50):
We hope this nomination inspires others to adopt similar principles and practices in theirwork.
It isn't just a pat on the back for us, it's rather a recognition of the shared leadershipacross our community with residents, partners and other stakeholders.
who have come together to drive meaningful change.
(54:11):
What it means is my investment into building social capital is paying off.
Volunteerism is so, important and being able to help your communities and help othersreally, really does pay off, even though it costs nothing but your time and attention.
And I think it just speaks to a louder volume that people should get involved because younever know what might happen.
(54:33):
I think recognition for the work we do is always a wonderful thing.
It's an important way to share the stories of the people who are doing the work every day,supporting people and building communities, whether that's the volunteers themselves or
the staff supporting the volunteers.
Working in the non-profit sector can be really challenging work and an award like thiskind of puts a spotlight on the teams and people who are really giving their all to make
(54:58):
an impact in the community.
The fact that somebody would stand up and say, hey, our team is pretty cool and our teamleader has been doing some pretty hard work and that
She inspires us to do these good things.
I think that was really reassuring and I think because it's something that I have createdand led, it was very meaningful to have that work recognized and to give us a chance to
(55:20):
talk about it a little bit more and encourage other communities to, if you don't have avolunteer centre, talk to a volunteer centre and get one rolling.
It makes such a difference.
Congratulations to all our amazing winners and finalists for the 2024 Charity VillageNational Awards.
(55:42):
At the Charity Village Awards, we celebrate excellence, dedication, passion, andachievement in the nonprofit sector to shine the light on unsung heroes and acknowledge
outstanding contributions.
We're honored to present these awards to the truly exceptional individuals andorganizations
who overcome obstacles and contribute to the betterment of their workplaces, theircommunities, the nonprofit sector, and to Canada.
(56:10):
For a full list of our 2024 award winners, including those who were not able to take partin this podcast, plus complete video interviews, visit our awards website,
charityvillageconference.com.
And mark your calendar for our Charity Village National Conference and Awards for 2025.
(56:30):
which will be an extra special event.
Join us to help celebrate our 30th anniversary serving the Canadian nonprofit sector.
And don't forget to make your nominations for the Charity Village Awards.
You never know, you and your organization might come out a winner.
To all our finalists and winners, and all the extraordinary nonprofits and charities,professionals and volunteers across Canada, on behalf of the whole team at Charity
(57:00):
Village,
Congratulations for all your achievements and a heartfelt thank you for your service.
Charity Village is proud to be the Canadian source for non-profit news, employment,crowdfunding, e-learning and so much more.
You can find us online at charityvillage.com.
(57:21):
In our next episode, with elections happening across the provinces and the potential for afederal election at any time, how to navigate political change is top of mind for many
non-profit leaders.
How can your organization engage in government relations, advocate for social change, andaccess government funding, especially during such an unprecedented time of uncertainty?
(57:47):
Get insights and advice from sector experts in the next episode of Charity VillageConnects.
I'm Mary Barrell.
Thanks for listening.
Ladies and gentlemen, once again it's time to honor the exceptional individuals who make aremarkable impact in the non-profit sector and help Canadians across the country.
Welcome to the fourth annual Charity Village Awards Gala.
Yes, tonight we celebrate the extraordinary individuals whose exceptional contributionshave greatly impacted their organizations and the entire nonprofit sector.
(00:35):
And we give tribute to the outstanding organizations who've achieved exemplary results forthe betterment of their employees and the communities they serve.
And now, without further ado, here's your host for tonight's ceremonies.
President of Charity Village, Mary Barrell.
Well, thank you and welcome to a special edition of Charity Village Connects, a podcastthat explores topics vital to the nonprofit sector in Canada.
(01:03):
As the year 2024 comes to an end and 2025 begins, we're celebrating the extraordinaryachievements of exceptional volunteers, nonprofit professionals and their organizations.
along with their commitment, passion and drive that will keep the non-profit sector inCanada moving forward into the new year and beyond.
(01:25):
We're shining the spotlight on the winners of the 2024 Charity Village National Awards.
I wasn't expecting to win to be honest because there were so many amazing people and I'mtruly honoured and privileged and it means the world.
So thank you so much to the judges and the panelists and everybody at Charity Village.
I'm so deeply honoured and
(01:45):
Words cannot express my gratitude.
For me, it was a little baffling.
Honestly, when you said my name, I was like, what?
Really?
What happened?
I've won a lot of awards for my journalism work and other things in the community, butthis is different.
We were absolutely blown away.
Last year we were a finalist and this year to be a winner was really just a wonderfulopportunity to shine a light on the good work that takes place at Niagara Children's
(02:13):
Centre every day.
and the amazing partnerships that have really chosen to invest in Niagara Children'sCentre.
All of our team members, they work from a place of passion and compassion.
And we often go above and beyond to ensure that our programs and activities are beneficialto those that we are serving or trying to reach.
So it is nice to be recognized for all of the extras that we put in individually andcollectively.
(02:38):
We wanted to put forward this nomination not just to recognize our efforts, but to alsohighlight
what's possible when we lead with values like power sharing, equity and collaboration.
We hope this nomination inspires others to adopt similar principles and practices in theirwork.
Looking outwards, it's nice to be able to demonstrate that management at Learnsphere isleading by example.
(03:00):
To have that recognized nationally is really rewarding.
You know, we're really pleased that Charity Village is shining a light on workplace mentalhealth within their list of non-profit awards.
I grew up in subsidized, low-income housing and
That's kind of my passion for nonprofit work came in.
And being from one side, receiving the supports of other nonprofits to actually being ableto join a nonprofit on an executive level and help people who are in my situation, that
(03:26):
probably highlighted my impact in the work I do.
I feel like we're on this trajectory of really being recognized for all of this work thatwe've been doing for a very long time.
And so this really solidifies that
DEI centering that we have at the centre, what we do and why we do it.
(03:49):
And we stand out because we talk the talk and we walk the talk.
You know, we really embody DEI.
I think really what helps our program stand out is that not only are the volunteers makinga difference in the community, which is often the reason they join in the first place, but
they receive so much in return as well.
(04:10):
Being named a finalist is incredibly meaningful to our team, to the volunteers who supportus and to our entire organization.
It is a recognition of the dedication and hard work we put into supporting homeless,trafficked and at-risk youth and we truly, truly appreciate the acknowledgement.
(04:31):
You just heard what our 2024 winners of the Charity Village National Awards had to sayupon hearing they'd been recognized by their peers for being among the very best in the
nonprofit sector.
In this special episode, each of them will be sharing a bit about their work and some ofthe secrets of their success.
Their stories are truly inspiring and are sure to give other organizations of any size ormission some valuable insight.
(05:00):
But before we hear from these guests, I want to tell you about the National CharityVillage Awards and the outstanding achievements they recognize.
Our aim with these awards is to highlight excellence in the areas that are crucial tofuture success and resilience of every nonprofit organization and to the sector itself.
(05:22):
In this episode, we'll be recognizing exceptional efforts in the fields of fundraising,volunteer management,
workplace mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion, outstanding impact byindividuals, and so much more.
And to even the field among many diverse organizations of different sizes and resources,we've split our awards in each category for nonprofits with over 20 staff members and for
(05:51):
those with under 20 staff members.
All winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges made up of subject matter expertswith expertise in the award category, who generously volunteer their time to help Charity
Village celebrate excellence in the Canadian nonprofit sector.
These awards, first announced at our annual Charity Village National Conference and Awardsheld in November of 2024, have already sparked excitement within the nonprofit community.
(06:22):
If you're eager to learn what sets the winners apart in the eyes of our independentjudges, you're in for a treat.
We'll dive into their remarkable achievements and the strategies behind their success.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy the show.
The awards are about to begin.
(06:44):
And now it's time to draw back the curtains and begin this exciting awards gala.
Up first on the Charity Village Awards, the winner of the Best Fundraising Campaign for anorganization with less than 20 staff.
Welcome back our host, Mary Barrow, to announce the winner.
Fundraising is the lifeblood of the nonprofit sector, driven by passionate individuals whowork tirelessly to connect donors with meaningful causes.
(07:12):
constantly seeking creative and innovative approaches to generate support.
So our first award winner in the category of best fundraising campaign for an organizationwith under 20 staff is, drum roll please, the Niagara Children's Centre.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Niagara Children's Centre is Marla Smith, Directorfor Development, who's here to tell us more about the organization, the work they do,
(07:41):
and the winning fundraising formula that captured our judges nod for a win.
Congratulations, Marla.
Thank you so much.
Niagara Children's Centre is a pediatric rehabilitation centre for children and theirfamilies who need support for developmental, physical and or communicative delays.
(08:01):
And we support them on an outgoing patient basis.
Wow, that's great.
I'm curious from your perspective, since of course you're the winner,
What do you think really stood out about your nomination and the submissions that weremade about your organization?
I think some of the things that really stood out were the impacts that we've been able tomake as a smaller charity serving a really diverse and important group of individuals,
(08:30):
largely children with special needs.
I think the impacts that we've been able to make and the connections.
that Niagara Children's Center has been able to engage with corporate partners,foundations, special events, really drew the community into what we were doing and gave a
place for families to feel accepted in their own community.
(08:53):
Well, that's wonderful.
It's great to hear the kind of work that you're doing.
What does it mean to you and your organization to actually win one of these awards?
We were absolutely blown away.
Last year we were a finalist and this year to be a winner was really just a wonderfulopportunity to shine a light on the good work that takes place at Niagara Children's
(09:15):
Centre every day and the amazing partnerships that have really chosen to invest in NiagaraChildren's Centre.
They've had many opportunities to support other worthy organizations and they've chosenNiagara Children's Centre and I think that platform
allows people with diverse abilities to feel accepted in their community.
(09:36):
And I know when I was able to share the news that we were the winners of this amazingaward through Charity Village, the families of the donors and the staff all felt a sense
of pride and knowledge knowing that an organization that means so much to them wasrecognized in such a lovely way.
(10:00):
Let's hear it for the Niagara Children's Center and the fantastic work they do.
For our next category of the Charity Village Awards, the award for the best nonprofitemployer for workplace mental health.
Once again, here's Mary to announce the winner.
Thank you.
(10:20):
With burnout becoming a widespread challenge in the nonprofit sector, forward-lookingorganizations are adopting strategies to foster mentally healthy workplaces where staff
and volunteers can flourish.
This award honors organizations that are supporting work-life balance and team well-beingthrough innovative and adaptable initiatives.
(10:43):
In the category of best nonprofit employer for workplace mental health, the winner for anorganization with under 20 staff members is Learnsphere.
Accepting the award for Learnsphere is Hannah Westner, Senior Project Manager.
(11:03):
Anna, congratulations and well done.
Can you tell us more about what you do?
Thank you so much.
We are really honoured to be nominated and to win.
Learn Sphere is a small organization that provides business skills, education andorganizational management to small and medium-sized businesses across Canada.
(11:23):
Terrific.
What do you think made your nomination stand out to our judges?
We use independent judges, so we'd love to know what it is that you think really compelledthem to vote for you as the winner.
Well, we had some stats on our application around really low levels of staff turnover.
Our CEO has been in the roles for 25 years or more, and other senior staff have all beenthere for a long time.
(11:49):
We were proud to say that everybody takes their full vacation allowance every year.
So that was a good statistic, but I think what was probably more significant was we had ameaningful testimonial from every single staff member describing the impact of the
workplace on their own mental health and their appreciation for management's efforts atpromoting mental health in the workplace.
(12:09):
I'm sure that's very compelling to have heard from the employees themselves.
That's terrific.
I would love to know what it means to your organization and to you and the employees aboutbeing named the winner of the award.
Well, it was very gratifying for sure.
You know, I think within the team, it really made us feel good that we could recognize ourmanagement team in this way and validate the work that they do to build a supportive and
(12:34):
inclusive culture for us every day.
You know, it's definitely a sense of team pride, knowing that we're part of a team wherewell-being is really important.
Looking outwards, it's nice to be able to demonstrate that management at Learnsphere isleading by example.
And
To have that recognized nationally is really rewarding.
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A well-deserved win for LearnSphere.
Congratulations!
For our next category of the Charity Village Awards, here's the award for an individualwho made the best contribution to youth advancement.
Here's our host to announce the exceptional winner.
Although fostering youth advancement in the workplace requires a collective organizationaleffort, we all know
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that its success ultimately hinges on the commitment and contributions of passionateindividuals.
And this year's winner of the award for best contribution to youth advancement by anindividual is truly exceptional.
The 2024 award goes to Hassan Ali Abidi, Director of Operations at Play Forever.
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Hassan Ali, congratulations on this amazing win.
Can you tell us about your organization?
Play Forever, we're a non-profit organization and we provide free programming forunderserved communities, low income families and youth.
So all of our programming is centered around sports and we tie in stuff like education,recreation, health, mental health, services like that and programs where we offer them to
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youth who are not able to reach these programs.
And all of our programs are completely free.
That's what we stand for.
Well, that's a really extraordinary contribution to make to young people who may nototherwise have access to those kinds of services that are so important to getting through
early part of young lives, especially with the challenges today.
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What do you think made your nomination stand out?
I would say first off, it's more of a testament to our organization, like super humbledand honored to be part of an organization like Play Forever to even have the opportunity
to do the things I do.
In terms of like the individual award, I think
just my story coming from these programs which I'm serving.
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I grew up in subsidized low income housing and that's kind of my passion for nonprofitwork came in and being from one side receiving the supports of other nonprofits to
actually being able to join a nonprofit on an executive level and help people who are inmy situation that probably highlighted my impact in the work I do.
Well, it sure does.
And what a great story about you being able to benefit from
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all these people working so hard in charities and nonprofits and then turning around andgiving back to your own community.
I think that's a wonderful story.
What does it mean for you and your organization to be a winner?
I think just highlighting the work we do as an organization is very impactful.
It's a huge thing we're doing, especially at a young age.
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This is where all the development starts and ensuring they have the right resourcesavailable at their hand is very important.
Let's give a warm congratulations to Hassan Ali for stepping up and giving back for theadvancement of youth.
A truly inspiring young man.
For our next category of the Charity Village Awards, we turn to the awards for the bestnonprofit employers contribution to DEI in the workplace.
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Let's welcome back Mary to announce the winner.
We all know that nonprofits are first and foremost dedicated to providing services,guidance and support to specific communities and causes.
Equally important, though, is their responsibility to reflect the values and principlesthey champion externally within their own organizations.
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This award highlights organizations and individuals who exemplify socially responsiblehiring and onboarding practices.
It recognizes their dedication to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, communityoutreach, and accessibility.
through policies that create a workplace reflecting these ideals.
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This year, in the category of nonprofit employers with less than 20 staff members, ourjudges were so impressed with the amazing finalists, we had a tie among two very special
organizations.
This year, we celebrate two co-winners, and the winners are...
East Scarborough Storefront, a project of make-way.
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and Toronto Centre for Community Learning and Development.
Accepting the award for the Toronto Centre for Community Learning and Development is theorganization's Director of Programming for Neighborhood Impact, Malaika Ahten.
Congratulations, Malaika.
Perhaps you can start by telling us a bit about what you do.
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Definitely for our centre, it's really about having this vision of stronger communitiestogether.
And we do this through facilitating community connections through innovative learning.
We are in the heart of Regent Park at 540 Dundas East near Sackville in downtown Toronto.
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And our catchment area includes Regent Park, St.
Jamestown and Moss Park, along with the GTA.
We currently serve mostly newcomer and immigrant populations from diverse backgrounds.
which continue to experience exclusion from various services and programs, large in partdue to systemic barriers.
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Many of our participants are also in the shelter system.
They are refugee claimants that are navigating the immigration and settlement system, andthey are waiting for secure housing.
So our core programs at the center are the Immigrant Women's Integration LeadershipProgram, as well as Academic Upskilling and the Regent Park Sewing Studio.
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And all of these programs are really centered around employability skills, like numeracy,communication, collaboration, problem solving, writing, adaptability, reading, creativity
and innovation, as well as digital skills.
And this fosters a sense of belonging so that participants may in turn empower others.
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Well, that sounds like a wonderful mission and it sounds like you do fantastic workworking with a very diverse client base.
What do you think made your nomination stand out to the judges?
I think it's because over these 40 years that we've been in existence serving ourcommunities.
We've continued to demonstrate exemplary diversity, equity and inclusion best practices.
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And these best practices are evident in our inclusive hiring.
We ensure that our staff reflect the cultural diversity and the intersectionality ofidentities of our community members.
We also have an outstanding track record of hiring graduates from our program.
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and residents from our communities.
And I feel our approach to building authentic collaborations with grassroots organizationsthat inform and represent local community needs is an important aspect of holding
ourselves accountable with our DEI practices.
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Finally, I feel like having, you know, a hybrid work culture which provides thatflexibility, that accessibility,
and takes into account the overall health and wellbeing of staff, volunteers, and programparticipants, enable us to flourish in a mindful, heartful, and relateful way in our work
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environment.
Well, I love that story about actually hiring the folks that have been going through yourprograms.
What a great introduction to working in Canada, particularly those that are newcomers toour society.
It's wonderful to hear
how you've integrated that into your actual recruitment for your own organization.
What does it mean to you to be nominated and winning the Charity Village National Awards?
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What does it mean to your organization and to you personally?
Well, in December of 2023, our organization was the recipient of the City of Toronto'sAccess, Equity and Human Rights Constance E.
Hamilton Award for Women in Equity.
And I feel like we're on this trajectory of really being recognized for all of this workthat we've been doing for a very long time.
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And we stand out because we talk the talk and we walk the talk.
You know, we really embody DEI.
Well, on behalf of Charity Village, I want to congratulate you for this amazing win andthe wonderful work that you're doing within our community.
And now, accepting the award on behalf of the co-winner for our best nonprofit employer,Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, East Scarborough Storefront, a project of Makeway, here
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is Carolyn Sines, Associate Director, Systems and Infrastructure.
Carolyn, congratulations on your win.
Thank you.
Well, why don't we start off by telling our audience just exactly what your organizationdoes and what your mission is and how you work.
Sure.
So East Scarborough Storefront opened in 2001 with a commitment to serving the KingstonGalloway Orton Park community, otherwise known as KGO.
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And KGO is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse communities in Canada and alsothe largest First Nation Metis Inuit community outside of downtown Toronto.
Our work at Storefront is guided by a community development framework that we call theConnected Community Approach, which focuses on strengthening relationships among people,
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organizations, and institutions.
We call it CCA for short.
CCA creates conditions for local solutions to emerge and thrive through collaboration.
By proactively sharing knowledge, identifying strategies, and aligning efforts, we connectlocal initiatives to broader strategies.
This ensures that KGO is not only a recipient of change, but also an active participant inshaping equitable collective outcomes.
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I'm curious as to what was it about the Charity Village Awards that made you want tonominate the organization and the work that you do in this area for the award.
What was it that was meaningful to you?
The Star-Front's work shows how community-driven equity-focused approaches can lead toreal systemic change.
So we wanted to put forward this nomination not just to recognize our efforts, but to alsohighlight what's possible when we lead with values like power sharing, equity, and
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collaboration.
We hope this nomination inspires others to adopt similar principles and practices in theirwork.
It isn't just a pat on the back for us.
It's rather a recognition of the shared leadership across our community with residents,partners, and other stakeholders who have come together.
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to drive meaningful change.
I'd love to know what you think about what it was in your nomination that really stood outto the judges.
Our commitment to racial justice likely stood out because it's real deep and ongoingcommitment that has become everything that we do.
Our CCA framework was actually transformed into a playbook as a way to connect with thecommunity and create real impact.
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It's used by all of our staff.
So applying equity and power sharing has meant that we can create this change, not just toaddress individual issues, but to also influence and transform larger systems.
These actions show our commitment to long-term change.
It's not short-term fixes.
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So yeah, what sets us apart is this holistic approach that we're taking.
We apply all these principles across all facets of our work, from program design to policydevelopment to staff training and governance.
It's a comprehensive baked in approach, ensuring that every part of what we do is alignedwith our values and principles.
I'd like to wrap up by asking you what it means to you and your organization to have wonthis award and be recognized in this way for the Charity Village Awards.
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It definitely validates the progress we've made embedding equity into what we're doing.
And it reinforces our vision to create a connected and equitable community.
It's not just about what we've accomplished, but we're also holding ourselves accountable.
And it's inspiring us to continue driving this real important work, especially as we arenow preparing to update and expand our action plan with more of an intersectional lens.
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Well, on behalf of Charity Village, we want to say congratulations, Carolyn, for thisreally impressive win and the contributions that you're making.
to both DEI within the workplace and within the communities that you serve.
Thank you.
Thank you once again for this honor.
Thanks.
Next up on the Charity Village Awards, the winner of the Best Volunteer Program by anonprofit organization with more than 20 staff.
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Here's Mary with more.
Our next award recognizes organizations with over 20 staff who are finding exceptionalways to recruit and engage their volunteers.
Volunteers play a vital role in our sector and contribute greatly to an organization'ssuccess.
This past year saw continuing challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers.
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This award is dedicated to those that found ways to overcome the obstacles and maintain astrong volunteer program.
And once again, our judges were so impressed with the exceptional finalists that we haveanother tie of two amazing organizations.
The co-winners for the award for the best volunteer program are...
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Covenant House Toronto and Diverse City Community Resources Society.
Congratulations to two exceptional winners.
First, here to accept the award on behalf of Covenant House Toronto, we have PaulseraBatra, Manager of Volunteer Services and the Mentoring Program.
Paulsera, please tell us what your organization does.
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Sure, Covenant House is the largest youth shelter in Canada and we serve youth.
experiencing homelessness and trafficking.
And you know, we have very large variety of programs at Covenant House and youth agesbetween 16 to 24 can access our services.
And what do you think it was about your nomination and the kind of work you do that reallycaptured our judges eye and got you the win?
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I believe what set our application apart was the profound impact of our diverse and mentor
base, volunteer and mentor base, along with the various programs and services offered toyoung people at Covenant House Toronto.
Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting youth and helping them to reach their fullpotential.
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We also prioritize strong volunteer onboarding process to ensure privacy, confidentialityand safety of young people we serve.
Finally, but most importantly, our volunteer engagement process.
We focus on keeping volunteers connected, engaged, and ensuring their roles at CovenantHouse Toronto are meaningful and fulfilling for them.
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I'm very happy to hear about all the work that you do.
What does it mean to you and your organization to be nominated and named a co-winner inthis very important award?
How do you feel?
Being named a finalist is incredibly meaningful to our team.
To the volunteers who support us and to our entire organization, it is a recognition ofthe dedication and hard work we put into supporting homeless, trafficked and at-risk
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youth, and we truly, truly appreciate the acknowledgement.
Congratulations to Paulsara Batra and Covenant House Toronto for all the life-changingwork you do.
And now I'm very pleased to introduce you to our second co-winner for the Best NonprofitEmployer Volunteer Program for an organization with over 20 staff.
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Diverse City Community Resources Society.
Accepting the award is Margaret Gettelina, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications.
I'd love to hear more about your organization.
Can you tell our audience what it is that you do and your mission?
Diversity Community Resources Society is a registered charity in Surrey, BC.
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It opened its doors 46 years ago in response to growing needs in the community,particularly for immigrant and refugee communities.
Today, Surrey is really the fastest growing city in BC, welcoming about 28 new residentsevery day.
And at Diversity, we offer many programs and services for them, everything from newcomersettlement services,
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to diverse employment programs and English language classes, as well as counseling, andthen also our volunteer program, which is why we're here today.
Together, all of these social services help people in the community build their lives andto strengthen the community overall.
And that's pretty much our mission, to strengthen communities.
Underpinning all this work, diversity is really guided by a commitment to social justice,equity, and truth and reconciliation.
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And ultimately,
It's the people behind diversity from its board to its staff and all its volunteers whoare the change makers doing the work and making an impact in the community.
Well, that's great.
Maybe you could tell us a little bit about your volunteer program.
Definitely.
So we wanted to nominate the volunteer program and just to highlight the importance ofvolunteerism as a whole for our work here at diversity and in the community overall.
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It really has been a hallmark in supporting our
delivery of our services for many decades.
We have a stable of about two to three hundred volunteers annually who contribute to thedelivery and success of our programs and services.
All these volunteers are guided by a small but mighty team of coordinators who recruit,onboard, train and empower them with the skills and information they need to not only
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achieve the goals that they want, but to help support delivery of services to some of ourcommunities most.
vulnerable populations.
What do you think really made your nomination stand out and get this win?
Our volunteer program is inspiring on so many levels.
For starters, our volunteers really help us provide the important services we're doing inthe community.
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So that could be anything from delivering groceries to isolated seniors, to helping uslead English conversation circles, to supporting us in our community kitchen, and so many
other types of services.
For example, this week we're actually wrapping up our annual Bundle Up Coat Drivecampaign, which gathers coats, hats and gloves for families in need.
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And this campaign truly depends on the support of volunteers.
They're the ones who come, sort through all the coats, organize, help distribute the coatsjust in time for the colder weather and the holiday season.
And then in the new year, the volunteer program shifts gears and starts busy trainingvolunteers and preparing for tax time.
So the volunteers help people file their income taxes through our annual income taxclinic.
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Another really interesting, innovative part of our program is that we've launched avolunteer brokering initiative and that partners with other local nonprofit organizations.
So it matches our volunteers with opportunities with their organizations.
So that helps diversify the experience they have access to while supporting our partnersas well and helping build the community and strengthening the community overall.
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And I think
Really what helps our program stand out is that not only are the volunteers making adifference in the community, which is often the reason they join in the first place, but
they receive so much in return as well.
So for newcomers who are volunteering, that could look like valuable work experience thatthey can put on their resume.
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And that's often the first experience they have in Canada.
And this might help them overcome entry barriers they face in the labour market.
For others, could look like skill building or learning opportunities.
That's such a lovely full circle of giving and how giving gives back to yourself.
I would love to know really what it means to you and your organization to win one of theawards at the Charity Village National Awards, especially for the volunteer program.
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I think recognition for the work we do is always a wonderful thing.
It's an important way to share the stories of the people who are doing the work every day,supporting people and
building communities, whether that's the volunteers themselves or the staff supporting thevolunteers.
Working in the non-profit sector can be really challenging work and an award like thiskind of puts a spotlight on those teams and people who are really giving their all to make
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an impact in the community.
Congratulations to DiverseCity for their terrific work and the exceptional volunteerprogram that helps make it happen.
Our next award winner has pulled off double success with back-to-back victories.
The winner of the Best Volunteer Program for a Non-Profit Organizations with under 20staff and the award for the Best Individual Achievements as a Volunteer Management
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Professional.
There's no doubt that volunteer managers are crucial when it comes to creating successfulvolunteer programs.
Our next award recognizes individuals who have achieved exceptional success in this area.
I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer.
Let's take a moment to celebrate the winner of the award for Best Volunteer ManagementProfessional and the award for the Best Volunteer Program for an organization with under
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20 staff.
This year's winner is Anukrary Nigam, Program and Administrative Officer
at Pegasus Institute.
This really is a winning sweep of the volunteer awards, having won the individual awardfor exceptional contributions to a volunteer program, as well as the winner of the award
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for the best volunteer program by an employer for an organization with under 20 staff.
What a superstar, congratulations.
Thank you so much.
Tell me a little bit about your organization.
What does the Pegasus Institute actually do?
What is its mandate?
Pegasus Institute is a registered Canadian educational charity that works at theintersection of peace, global health and environmental sustainability.
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The Institute has a solid base of justice and equity and amplifying the voices ofequity-seeking populations and groups.
We seek to connect, network and share information on a global scale to develop morecollaborative, diverse and innovative solutions.
We strive to bring many perspectives from many different contexts to the table with theultimate goals of improving health and equity for all life forms.
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Well, that's quite an accomplishment.
What an amazing contribution you're making both locally and globally.
What do you think made your nomination as best volunteer program by an organization standout to the judges?
So at an organizational level, I think for the judges.
I think it was our reach at the global level, and especially the fact that we have thismultilingual programming, which is such an asset, especially with the diverse Canadian
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society that we have, and the mentorship programs, because I also think mentorship is akey component, especially while building the next future generation leaders.
And overall, Pegasus Institute ensures to provide an educational and professionalnetworking platform as well.
that helps the next generation leaders in the fields of peace, global health andenvironmental sustainability.
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So we're trying to really use an umbrella for all these three fields and bring all thepeople in together.
And I think that might have stood out for the judges.
It is quite remarkable that you've won both the organizational award and then theindividual award to Andrew Crowdy.
I wonder what
if you feel comfortable telling us what you think stood out for the judges about your ownindividual contributions to the volunteering space.
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At an individual level, I also think it could be the testimonials that I had provided inmy application by the volunteers and the employers that I've worked with in the past year.
That was the main boost for me in terms of my work.
I ensured there was consistent volunteer engagement and that needed consistent programmingand regular programming.
to be provided to the volunteers so that they could engage with us and that ensured thatthere was new enrollment coming in.
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So communications is also very important aspect to ensure our programming reaches ourintended audience.
And that's how we can have a lot of volunteers consistently engaged through them, ensurethat they're also benefiting from our programming.
Well, I would love to know also what it was about the Charity Village Awards that made youwant to apply, what was attractive to you about them.
(38:33):
First of all, I would like to thank my colleague Rachel Vines who brought it to ourattention that the Charity Village Award nomination applications were going on and that
our work could be a good fit in some of the categories.
And it turns out that she was right.
We often utilize Charity Village as a resource and platform for sharing information aboutPegsys Institute.
And we also recognize the reach that this could have if we qualified.
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Now that you're basking in the glory, what does it mean to you to be both nominated andhaving won both the organizational award and the individual award?
What does it mean for your organization and what does it mean for you?
At an organizational level, for us, the recognition of the dedication of a small group ofpeople, because we are very short staff, who run a great variety of programming on a
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minimal budget and having global impact and reach means a lot.
All of our team members, work from a place of passion and compassion.
And we often go above and beyond to ensure that our programs and activities are beneficialto those that we are serving or trying to reach.
So it is nice to be recognized for all of the extras that we put in individually andcollectively.
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And our team members are the best.
We are working like a well-oiled machine.
So I really appreciate that at an organizational level, we were recognized.
What does it mean for you individually to have won an award and be recognized in this way?
For me, it's more like a chicken and egg situation.
I'm really happy that a lot of work that I did in collaboration with my fantastic teammembers and a large volunteer base was reflected in the application and nomination for
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Pegasus Institute.
And then it just seemed fair that my individual hard work was also recognized through thenominations.
It's all good.
Everything is all joy and glory at this point.
And now it's time for the Charity Village Most Outstanding Impact Awards by a Volunteer.
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And here once again is your host, Mary Barrow.
As we've noted, volunteers are essential to the success of most nonprofits and often theyare the unsung heroes behind the scenes.
With our final award, we pay tribute to two very dedicated volunteers who, in anothertwo-way tie,
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won our Outstanding Volunteer Impact Award.
The co-winners of the Outstanding Impact by Volunteer Award are...
Gradado and Lois Tuffin.
We'll hear from both of these exceptional volunteers, but let's start with Maria Gradado,who volunteers at an extraordinary number of organizations, including the Toronto
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Foundation for Youth Involvement in Politics,
The Junior League of Toronto, Youth Without Shelter, results Canada, the Jean-AugustineCentre for Young Women's Empowerment, Raising the Roof Canada, Grito des Mujeres, Women's
Scream Canada, Arab Community Centre of Toronto, and Fuel Changemakers.
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Wow, Maria, that is an impressive amount of volunteer work.
Congratulations for winning this important award.
Thank you so, so much.
I'm truly truly honored.
There was so many amazing people in this category and I'm truly honored winning thisaward.
Well maybe you could start by telling us a little bit about your organization.
Yeah so the Toronto Foundation for Youth Involvement in Politics, the TFYIP for short, isa youth-run organization, non-profit, that really seeks to engage young people in
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political apparitions and just get civic engagement up to par.
We really do focus on emphasizing youth leadership and giving young people the resourcesthey may need to get involved, whether that be at a local level, through the municipality
or the provincial level, or even on a federal level, trying to connect young people totheir local representatives and or just giving them the right advocacy tools.
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That sounds terrific.
I wonder what was it about the Charity Village Awards that made you want to nominate?
Did you nominate yourself or did the group nominate you?
I just nominated myself.
What really motivated me in general is like I know the amazing history of Charity Village.
It's a resource that I've used as well for volunteering in the past.
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And I think what really pushed me was you just see something and you never know until youjump an opportunity that it's meant for you or not.
And I just saw the opportunity and really just wanted to grab it by the horns, so to say.
And yeah, I just put my name forward.
I didn't know what would come of it.
I just...
saw it, saw the opportunity, and I took it.
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Well, it paid off.
What do you think it was that made your nomination stand out to judges?
I think in my application, I did focus on a lot of the work that I do at the TFIIP, but Idid include numerous works that I do in the community.
So I guess my heavier portfolio would be the TFIIP.
That's what I'm majorly involved in.
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But I think that the fact that I really, really am of service to the community and that Ido a lot,
and have taken the TFYP to numerous levels, including on a national level and now aninternational level.
I think that's what really set my application apart, even though it's funny because priorto me applying, I just missed the brink of the international sector in terms of I had had
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the stages of it implemented, but then it wasn't carried out till after the fact ofapplying and whatnot.
Even though I didn't mention it, it wasn't completely 100 % confirmed, but then it allworked out in the end.
So yeah, I think that's maybe what set my application apart.
My commitment to service, my commitment to young people, my commitment to women, tochildren, the marginalized group, you know, just basically my commitment to the voiceless.
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So I think that's so, so, so important is to stand up for those who are often forgotten.
Well, thank you for that.
What does it mean to you personally?
having been chosen a winner of this very prestigious award.
Honestly, I am so incredibly and deeply honored.
I checked out a lot of the semi-finalists and they were such amazing people doing amazingwork from all over the country.
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Honestly, I'm truly honored to even be mentioned alongside with them as well.
So thank you so much to the judges and the panelists and to everybody at Charity Village.
I'm so deeply honored and words cannot express my gratitude.
Congratulations again to Maria Gradado.
We are also delighted to recognize the exceptional work of our other co-winner of theaward for outstanding impact by volunteer, Lois Tuffin from Volunteer Peterborough.
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Lois, congratulations on winning this prestigious award.
Can you tell us about your volunteer work?
We started a matchmaking service between volunteers who wanted to do marvelous things andagencies that really, really needed them.
So we had that service existed in our community up until 2016.
And then for reasons that beyond people's control, it disappeared.
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So when there became a volunteer crisis during and after the pandemic, we identified thishuge gap and holy cow, did it ever get filled fast.
So I call myself the founder slash instigator of the group.
And I currently chair the board of a fantastic group of people who are doing life-changingwork every day.
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That sounds fantastic.
What do you think about the nomination that really stood out for the judges?
Well, so I only saw the letters of the nomination like yesterday.
So, haha, now I know what people said about me.
I think one of the things probably because we took something from zero to 1,500volunteers, 162 organizations.
So I think the numbers themselves speak to the amount of impact that our group is having.
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And I think just the fact that I have been relentless.
I put in
20, 30 hours a week sometimes just to keep this thing financed and organized and rollingand innovating and checking with people that are doing this work in other communities and
checking with people in our communities to make sure it works.
So I have been raising the money, I have been recruiting the team, and I think the factthat I just threw so much at it, I have been trying to share my enthusiasm and it has
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really helped me bring more other champions and I'm creating a whole new generation ofleaders.
So that's really fun.
The numbers speak for themselves for sure, that's amazing.
And you you have an opportunity to blow your own horn here.
What an extraordinary accomplishment that you've made.
I wonder what it means to you and your organization to be both nominated personally, butthen also the organization as well, what it means to you to be a co-winner of this very,
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very important award.
Well, I think for me, it's part of a unity.
There's a whole group of us that are doing things, but the fact that somebody would standup and say,
hey, our team is pretty cool and our team leader has been doing some pretty hard work andthat she inspires us to do these good things.
I think that was really reassuring.
For me, it was a little baffling.
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Honestly, when you said my name, I was like, what, really, what happened?
I've won a lot of awards for my journalism work and other things in the community, butthis is different because it's something that I have created and led.
It was very meaningful to have that work.
Recognized and to give us a chance to talk about it a little bit more and encourage othercommunities to if you don't have a volunteer center Talk to a volunteer center and get one
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rolling.
It makes such a difference.
I had a thousand testimonials in my head well we will be telling your story about thesuccess that you've had and the amazing way that you've sort of created something from
nothing that is so powerful and
That will give you an opportunity to sort of spread the word and maybe you might end upmentoring a lot of other volunteer organizations in different communities and to be able
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to tell them your best advice.
Our goal was always to start a movement.
We're trying to start a movement, get people thinking about volunteering and then getgoing.
So yes.
Tell me a little bit about the movement that you want to inspire.
Our group had a really interesting origin story.
If you give me a few minutes to tell about two and a half years ago, the federal NDPleader was in Peterborough for a campaign event.
(48:59):
And he, Jagmeet Singh, was greeted by some protesters who said some awful things, racistcomments and threatened him.
And a lot of us who live here and are proud of our community were very embarrassed.
So that happened on a Wednesday.
That Saturday, a group of us were leading a food drive and we had hundreds of volunteersout on the street gathering 26,000 pounds of food.
(49:21):
So we thought, how could we possibly have run a city where this bad thing happened andthis good thing happened?
And we realized if you offer people
something positive to do rather than something negative to do.
at least I have a choice.
So then we just started to tap into what is it that makes people want to get involved.
We did focus groups, we did a lot of research about what are people looking for and thenwe built our model.
(49:43):
It's interesting for us because we're probably the only volunteer center that has startedpost pandemic.
So we are starting with the current technology, the current mentality and we don't have alot of baggage and legacy stuff to move ahead so it's allowed us to.
really evolve quickly.
Well, what a star-studded awards gala this has been.
(50:06):
This has been an event full of inspiration, recognition and celebration.
But all good things must come to an end.
Here's our host, Mary Barrow, for some final thoughts from our winners before we close thecurtains on this magnificent gala event.
As we come to the end of our 2024 Charity Village Awards gala,
(50:27):
Let's hear from our award winners about the impact these awards have had on theirorganization's missions.
It's definitely a sense of team pride, knowing that we're part of a team where well-beingis really important.
Looking outwards, it's nice to be able to demonstrate that management at Learnsphere isleading by example, and to have that recognized nationally is really rewarding.
(50:51):
You know, we're really pleased that Charity Village is shining a light on workplace mentalhealth.
It was in their list of non-profit awards, so it's really important to attention to thisimportant issue.
We often go above and beyond to ensure that our programs and activities are beneficial tothose that we are serving or trying to reach.
So it is nice to be recognized for all of the extras that we put in individually andcollectively.
(51:14):
It was an honor for me personally to be recognized at Charity Villages.
It's a huge phenomenon, a hub for all the charities across Canada.
This could mean more people are aware of what we do and could be welcomed into ournetworks to share and develop even more educational materials, information and ways
forward in working on some of the most complex global issues.
(51:36):
This year to be a winner was really just a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on thegood work that takes place at Niagara Children's Centre every day and the amazing
partnerships.
that have really chosen to invest in Niagara Children's Center.
When I was able to share the news that we were the winners of this amazing award throughCharity Village, the families of the donors and the staff all felt a sense of pride and
(52:10):
knowledge knowing that an organization that means so much to them was recognized in such alovely way.
A lot of people, especially with them.
cost of living rising.
A lot of families are not able to afford to send their child to a summer camp or providethem with after school tutoring.
And so being nominated for this award highlights the work we do and hopefully can bringattention to what we're doing and bring companies and organizations involved in our work
(52:37):
to help support these communities.
I feel like we're on this trajectory of really being recognized.
for all of this work that we've been doing for a very long time.
And so this really solidifies.
We are teachers, we are artists, we are activists, we are researchers, and we're leadingin this area.
(53:01):
So whatever we do at the center really ripples out into other parts of the community andthe social service sector and beyond.
Our goal has always been to empower youth accessing our services by helping them buildskills, provide healthy, positive relationships.
(53:23):
This recognition reinforces the importance of that mission.
And I also hope our journey can inspire other organizations and provide an opportunity toshare the knowledge and strategies that have helped us making a difference.
Applying equity and power sharing has meant that we can create this change not just toaddress individual issues but to also influence and transform larger systems.
(53:50):
We hope this nomination inspires others to adopt similar principles and practices in theirwork.
It isn't just a pat on the back for us, it's rather a recognition of the shared leadershipacross our community with residents, partners and other stakeholders.
who have come together to drive meaningful change.
(54:11):
What it means is my investment into building social capital is paying off.
Volunteerism is so, important and being able to help your communities and help othersreally, really does pay off, even though it costs nothing but your time and attention.
And I think it just speaks to a louder volume that people should get involved because younever know what might happen.
(54:33):
I think recognition for the work we do is always a wonderful thing.
It's an important way to share the stories of the people who are doing the work every day,supporting people and building communities, whether that's the volunteers themselves or
the staff supporting the volunteers.
Working in the non-profit sector can be really challenging work and an award like thiskind of puts a spotlight on the teams and people who are really giving their all to make
(54:58):
an impact in the community.
The fact that somebody would stand up and say, hey, our team is pretty cool and our teamleader has been doing some pretty hard work and that
She inspires us to do these good things.
I think that was really reassuring and I think because it's something that I have createdand led, it was very meaningful to have that work recognized and to give us a chance to
(55:20):
talk about it a little bit more and encourage other communities to, if you don't have avolunteer centre, talk to a volunteer centre and get one rolling.
It makes such a difference.
Congratulations to all our amazing winners and finalists for the 2024 Charity VillageNational Awards.
(55:42):
At the Charity Village Awards, we celebrate excellence, dedication, passion, andachievement in the nonprofit sector to shine the light on unsung heroes and acknowledge
outstanding contributions.
We're honored to present these awards to the truly exceptional individuals andorganizations
who overcome obstacles and contribute to the betterment of their workplaces, theircommunities, the nonprofit sector, and to Canada.
(56:10):
For a full list of our 2024 award winners, including those who were not able to take partin this podcast, plus complete video interviews, visit our awards website,
charityvillageconference.com.
And mark your calendar for our Charity Village National Conference and Awards for 2025.
(56:30):
which will be an extra special event.
Join us to help celebrate our 30th anniversary serving the Canadian nonprofit sector.
And don't forget to make your nominations for the Charity Village Awards.
You never know, you and your organization might come out a winner.
To all our finalists and winners, and all the extraordinary nonprofits and charities,professionals and volunteers across Canada, on behalf of the whole team at Charity
(57:00):
Village,
Congratulations for all your achievements and a heartfelt thank you for your service.
Charity Village is proud to be the Canadian source for non-profit news, employment,crowdfunding, e-learning and so much more.
You can find us online at charityvillage.com.
(57:21):
In our next episode, with elections happening across the provinces and the potential for afederal election at any time, how to navigate political change is top of mind for many
non-profit leaders.
How can your organization engage in government relations, advocate for social change, andaccess government funding, especially during such an unprecedented time of uncertainty?
(57:47):
Get insights and advice from sector experts in the next episode of Charity VillageConnects.
I'm Mary Barrell.
Thanks for listening.
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