Month: May 2020

There’s an analogy about our current world situation right now that feels quite relevant: we are all in individual boats while battling the same storm. 

That’s why our individual responses to the pandemic are so, well, individual. Conversations with alumni from each of BC Achievement’s programs have revealed a myriad of responses on survival during the pandemic. While some are continuing to create art as usual from a home studio, others may have paused their businesses, while even more alumni are charging forward with their art, business, or supporting local organizations and their communities. 

Indigenous Business Awardee, Denise Halfyard has pivoted from floral design to creating beautiful beaded jewellery, connecting with her Wet’suwet’en, Tsimshian and Gitxsan culture. Mary Anne Cooper, 2020 Community Award recipient, says that hard work, perseverance and appreciating community connectedness are the keys to getting through tough times and she continues to advocate for a community space in the historic Ioco townsite. Applied Art + Design awardee Claudia Schulz has expanded her hat making to creating stylistic face masks. It’s a wonderful combination of design and creativity meeting a business and health need. 

Psychologists from the American Psychology Association define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress. Resilience is like a muscle, we all have it, but the more you use it, the faster and stronger your response gets. It becomes important to build resilience which allows us to get through challenging circumstances, but it also empowers us to grow and improve our lives along the way. Somehow it makes our boat in the storm a little less rocky. 

Each alum we’ve connected with has shared stories which reflect how they’ve built resilience during these last two months. What seemed like a challenge a few months ago has become a way-of-life. And, although they may not know it, each person is strengthening their respective ‘muscle’ – the resilience one – which will serve them well in the months to come. 

On April 27th, BC Achievement announced the names of 25 impressive recipients of the 17^th annual Community Award. Hailing from regions throughout BC and reflecting the diversity of this remarkable province, these awardees represent what it means to be the change you want to see in the world.  

The selection committee tasked with reviewing nominations and determining the list of recipients had a difficult job of selecting only 25 individuals for the award; a challenge given the high calibre of the nominations, each worthy of recognition for their contributions. The committee found that there is no shortage of people who lead by example, who give back to their communities and, who offer a hand when it’s needed.  

The Community Award program allows BC Achievement to shine a light on these such individuals by honouring their excellence. And, in doing so, provides the opportunity to share the contributions of unsung heroes and role models, whose stories often go unheard. In stewarding these cultural heroes, BC Achievement aims to inspire others to step up and build more connected communities. In the context of COVID-19, this call to action is needed now more than ever. 

This year’s cohort of awardees creates meaningful change in their respective communities, and the cumulative effect of their efforts makes this province stronger, more resilient, more creative, and more viable.  

Each awardee has their own story, their own passion and their own style and way of enhancing their community. They are all change makers through their extraordinary actions, and each carries out their work with humility. They are not looking for accolades, or attention, they are driven by a desire to do better, make better, and share the success of their efforts with those around them. For many the value in the award is the attention it brings to the cause or organization they serve. 

BC Achievement salutes these 25 awardees who are being honoured for their generosity of spirit and their commitment to serve. Join with BC Achievement for the #shinethelightbc campaign for the next 25 days – with daily tributes to each of these outstanding British Columbians who lead by their example. Together, we will lift them up and share their stories and may we all be inspired to be the change we want to see in the world.  

Congratulations and much appreciation to these 2020 Community Awardees: 

Aisha Amijee, Surrey
Dr. Paige Axelrood, Vancouver
Domingo (Dom) Bautista, Richmond
Duncan Bernardo, Vancouver
Morgan Churchill, Fort St. John
Dr. Mary Anne Cooper, Port Moody
Carolyn Duerksen, Prince George
Lorrie Fleming, 70 Mile House
Julie Fowler, Wells
Bonnie Harvey, Cranbrook
Gloria Kravac, Burnaby
Larissa Lapierre, Port Coquitlam
Steven (Steve) Little, Terrace
Jacqueline Macgregor, Chilliwack
Myles Mattila, Kelowna
Valerie Murray, Victoria
Leigh Pearson, Coldstream
Sarjeet Purewal, Surrey
John Ranta, Cache Creek
Ivan Sayers, Vancouver
Steven (Steve) Sorensen, Sooke
Carolina Tatoosh, Port Alberni
Jim Terrion, Prince George
Dr. Andrea Walsh, North Saanich
Shayne Williams, New Westminster