I have been a member of the Kimount Boys and Girls Club (BGC) for 7 years and a volunteer for 5 years. The organization’s goal is to provide a safe, welcoming environment for children and youth to experience new opportunities, construct meaningful relationships, conquer obstacles and develop lifelong skills. The Boys and Girls Club continues to provide me with lifelong experiences and allows me to expand my leadership and communication skills. To this day, I am extremely thankful to have an inclusive and welcoming space that has inspired me to give back to the club and volunteer for a community that provides so much for families that need it. I…

What an honour it is to receive the Violet Richardson Award. I am incredibly thankful for the recognition from Soroptimist International of Vancouver and for its mission to improve the lives of women and girls through social and economic empowerment. My volunteer roles as a mental health educator in elementary schools, a council member of the LGYAC of BC, and President of the Be the Change Club at Prince of Wales Secondary have provided fulfillment in my life and shaped my future goals. I will continue to use these platforms to advocate for mental health, contribute to diversity initiatives, advance inclusion, and support marginalized populations. Thank you, Soroptimist International of…

My name is Shana Ahemode, and I am incredibly thankful for being selected as Third Place for the Violet Richardson Award. First, I would like to tell you a bit about myself. I am a Chinese-Pakistani Canadian passionate about international relations and civic engagement. In school, I use my platforms in Student Government and Yearbook to advocate for inclusivity in my school community. Outside of school, I participate in Youth Parliament, volunteer at the senior house, and write about social issues for The Aman Project. Next year, I plan on studying international relations at the University of Pennsylvania. With the funding from the Violet Richardson Award, I will be using…

My name is Katie Zou and I’m a Grade 11 student at David Thompson Secondary. I have had the opportunity to volunteer at St. John Ambulance of Division 751c for the past six years. I have been able to educate young kids, ages 6-10 about basic first aid skills – hoping that they would one day be able to help someone out when they are older. What really motivates me is the eagerness of these kids to learn. It inspires me to be the better version of myself so that these kids, especially young girls, have someone to look up to. Through the power of volunteering, I believe that we…

The Violet Richardson Award recognizes young women in high schools between ages 14 and 18 who make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts. This year, Violet Richardson Award Committee had received 26 applications. Out of which, 17 applications passed validation check. Shelly Moffet, Sheila Carter and Lisa Shen had been invited to form a judge panel and carefully evaluated each of the 17 applications. All applicants were excellent, and three judges finalized four students to be awarded this year: 1st Place: Shaheema Nalir – served at “Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC” – $350 award 2nd Place: Paige Ingram – served at “Be the…

Originally from Japan, Chigusa immigrated to Canada after high school. Now a single mother to a grown son that was born with severe autism. Chigusa started a support group for Japanese parents with special needs here in Vancouver – the first of its kind in Canada. Her future career goal is to attend college to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) to design and implement behaviour support services for children with autism.

Proud to represent her First Nations people, she is a single mother with 3 children. Davena has embraced education as the way to support her family and live her dreams, she has been focused on her education completing her secondary school and starting courses at a local college as well as volunteering in her community. Davena is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse in the Downtown Eastside. Her passion is to work with high-risk mental health patients that desperately need assistance.

A newly single mother of 3 children, Mariska started taking a courses at BCIT. She is excited to now be a carpentry apprentice and will be pursuing a career in trades! She even inspired her oldest son to also go to BCIT for the trades after he finished high school! Mariska wants to teach her children that you are never too old to learn new skills. She knows her dreams and actions will ensure that her family is financially stable. Her long term goal is to purchase a home of her own.