SURREY: Satbir Cheema, the President and CEO of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society and a long-standing member of the Indo-Canadian community has completed 26 years in this non-profit organization that serves new immigrants and seniors in the Lower Mainland.
The members of the community and PICS congratulated him on this remarkable journey. His coworkers feel that he has always empowered and nurtured his team, first as Director of Employment Programs and Planning, and later on as the CEO, allowing everyone to think outside the box and be creative and innovative to take organization to unprecedented heights.
“I feel blessed to be working with an exceptionally talented and committed team of staff and volunteers at Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society. I would like take this opportunity to thank all my past and current colleagues, Board members, stakeholders, partners, funders, clients, media friends and Government Officials who made my journey at PICS Society very special and worthwhile,” Cheema said.
He started as a frontline staff and worked his way up as Supervisor, Manager, Director, and finally CEO when his mentor, coach, leader, and role model, Mr. Charanpal Gill retired in 2017. “I can proudly say that I belong to a very exclusive group of individuals who had the absolute privilege and honor of actually having worked with the late Mr. Charanpal Gill, the biggest name in the Social Services Sector,” he added.
Cheema played a pivotal role in persuading the Canadian Forces to establish a Recruiting Office within PICS, showcasing the power of community collaboration. His brainchild, the Annual PICS Mega Job Fairs, has evolved into one of the largest job fairs in the Lower Mainland.
Cheema’s middle years were marked by playing a key role in various community projects, including volunteer placement programs and youth internships. He also served on the different Advisory Committees and Boards.
Satbir’s reign as CEO witnessed initiatives like the development of the Guru Nanak Diversity Village a project to offer sensitive care for South-Asian seniors. To honour cultural heritage, he played a key role in renaming of 175A Street as ‘Guru Nanak Village Way’. A visionary in community initiatives too, he conceptualized and launched the annual “Drugs and Gangs Free Communities” walk and car rally. He was recognized through the “Safe Communities Award” from the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General on November 5, 2021.
His tenure has also witnessed the expansion of the Transition Homes program and the establishment of the Serenity House, underlining his commitment to supporting immigrant women and children fleeing domestic violence.
The growth of PICS Society under his leadership is evident with PICS becoming the largest non-profit organization serving the South-Asian community across Canada, the surge of staffing levels from about 110 to over 275+, operational budget increasing from about $7+ million to $23+ million., and increase in the number of projects.
Cheema received the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for Outstanding Service to the Community.
We congratulate Satbir Cheema for his exceptional 26-year journey and look forward to many more years of success.
