SURREY: DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society announced the recipients of 2022 DIVERSEcity Awards of Impact, honoured at 44th Annual General Meeting this September.
DIVERSEcity offers five annual awards in the areas of food justice, youth leadership, seniors, violence prevention and community engagement, which each include a financial award of $500.
Mainu Ahmed, a cofounder and volunteer director at Muslim Food Bank and Community Services in Surrey, BC, received Food Justice Advocate Award. Muslim Food Bank offers food bank programs that serve clients with special dietary needs, along with other social services. His advocacy around culturally appropriate food security is inspiring and impactful, and he has been a longstanding community partner of DIVERSEcity’s Food Security programs. Unsurprisingly, Ahmed donated the $500 financial portion of the award to Muslim Food Bank.
“We make sure that newcomers, refugees or others have religiously and culturally appropriate food, be it kosher, halal or vegan. We provide welcome food boxes for all refugees coming into the city [of Surrey], as well as emergency food boxes,” Ahmed said.
Jyoti Sheokand, a past client of DIVERSEcity’s Future Troopers Youth Employment Program, got Youth Leadership Award. Sheokand is a trained physiotherapist, she came to Canada as a permanent resident in 2022, alone and seeking a better life and a career. With the help of DIVERSEcity, she found a job at UBC, is leading by example and is now preparing to challenge the physiotherapy competency exam in BC so she can return to her profession.
“I came to Canada just four months back and didn’t know a single person. I was excited that I would fulfill my dream, but I was anxious that I don’t know anyone if I would need something, adapting here, finding a job and other stuff. But when I met DIVERSEcity team, I felt like God has sent a genie to help. I am really thankful; thank you for making me feel like home,” said Sheokand upon receiving the award.
Mojisola Allen was given the Strengthening Safety Award. Originally from Nigeria, Allen fled to Canada with her two children, one boy and one girl, escaping domestic violence. Her journey with DIVERSEcity started by accessing counselling services and through healing later became a member of the Survivor Advisory Panel for DIVERSEcity’s Roots of Safety Program, which is guiding the creation a cultural appropriate framework for violence prevention services.
77 years young Jaswant Lohat received the Inspiring Seniors Award. Lohat t came to Canada in 2009 and is a caregiver for her husband, a stroke survivor. Other than the emotional and informational support she receives from DIVERSEcity’s Newcomer Family & Friends Caregiver Support Program, she has little other support. Despite this, she dedicates time and energy to actively participate in the community, is always ready to volunteer and supports other seniors in need.
“This award is very important to me. Thank you for appreciating for my work as a community supporter and being a caregiver for my husband, who had a stroke the last seven years. Being a caregiver, I have a very busy life, making sure my husband has healthy meals, medicine on time and taking him to the doctor’s. Although I’m very busy, I make sure I volunteer for the community. I love to participate in different community events and helping seniors whenever they need. It just makes me feel good and brings fulfillment to my life,” said Jaswant Lohat.
Tammy Huston a volunteer with DIVERSEcity got Community Champion Award. Since the start of the pandemic, Huston has spent countless hours grocery shopping and delivering food for our diverse clients. DIVERSEcity is truly grateful for her selfless time and care.
