Student Open Circles is one of two organizations in Ontario to receive the 2024 June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism from the Ontario government. Image left to right: David Wilkinson, SOC board member; Jeff Druery, SOC staff; Yashasvi Yadav, SOC part-time intern; Ginni Dhaliwal, SOC part-time assistant; Elizabeth Zhou, SOC student; Rebecca Tanouye, SOC board member.
We received a surprising call from the Government of Ontario this spring to tell us that Student Open Circles won a provincial award. We are grateful to the Welcome Inn Community Centre staff who, without our knowledge, went to extraordinary lengths to nominate SOC. They gathered letters from the parents and children in the LAF afterschool program where we’ve coordinated the volunteer mentors for over 20 years. The children shared about why their mentors (a.k.a., our student volunteers) are important to them and how they help them in school. The award honours Student Open Circles for excellence in volunteer management, leadership, innovation, and contributions to supporting our community. In answer to common questions: Yes, there is a trophy😊. No, it doesn’t come with funding.
In this letter you’ll hear about how SOC is making a positive difference in people’s lives, from the perspective of a parent, a university student, and the Welcome Inn director. Your support makes Student Open Circles possible, and we see this award as a recognition of the important role of your partnership over many years.
We are grateful for you!
- Marybeth and Jeff
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