Richmond Local Robin Changizi wins regional emerging leader award for addressing big issues like addiction, bullying, and loneliness.
The Government of Canada every year honors volunteers who go above and beyond to support their communities and their country through Canada’s Volunteer Awards. Ontario-based Rahul Singh has become the recipient of this year’s Canada’s Volunteer National Award. The award known as Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a dedication to volunteering for at least 20 years.
Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, will honour the recipients of Canada’s Volunteer Awards at a hybrid ceremony in Ottawa on April 15, 2024. This will be the 10th anniversary of Canada’s Volunteers Awards.
Canada’s Volunteer Awards recognize community leaders, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises, and businesses that have made significant contributions to improving the lives of others. Each year, Canada’s Volunteer Awards present twenty regional awards and one national award.
The twenty regional awards are awarded to five regional recipients in each of the following four categories: Emerging Leader, Business Leader, Community Leader, and Social Innovator.
From British Columbia Richmond Local Robin Changizi wins regional emerging leader award for addressing big issues like addiction, bullying, and loneliness.
According to the biographies mentioned on the government of Canada website, Rahul Singh has been volunteering in Ontario for over 25 years. He founded the David McAntony Gibson Foundation, known as GlobalMedic, in 1999 to honor his late friend.
Rahul combines his emergency frontline experience with humanitarian work, providing efficient disaster relief operations.
Rahul has overseen over 249 missions in 82 countries, aiding more than 4.5 million individuals. The organization’s strategy is to engage diverse sectors for effective disaster response, as seen during the floods in British Columbia. Rahul collaborated with corporations for resource and logistics support, worked with public figures for fundraising, and organized volunteers for kit assembly and distribution.
Rahul was instrumental in initiating a program using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for more effective aid delivery in disaster-stricken areas through precise mapping. This UAV project has received international acclaim for impacting the relief sector.
Under Emerging Leaders category, Robin Changizi from Richmond, British Columbia, was the recipient. Robin is passionate about addressing big issues like addiction, bullying, and loneliness.
Robin is a role model who demonstrates the importance of helping others and making positive changes. He started a leadership program at the Thompson Community Center for students struggling in school. He played a key role in collaborating with Brighouse Library to offer workshops helping new immigrants improve their English. He also organized a tree planting project in Richmond to honor the 215 graves found at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
