Recognizing our community’s finest
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This article was published 08/03/2021 (814 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
As we continue to be challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic we cannot lose sight of those individuals who actively seek to make our community a better place to live and thrive and I wish to recognize them.
I am very pleased to share the stories of five such individuals in St. James-Assiniboia who were honoured as part of Honour 150 – Connie Newman, Elaine Stevenson, Robert Williams, Andrew Stambrook and Tom Dercola.
Connie Newman is a former teacher and principal in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division. Connie continues to volunteer and is very involved with the Assiniboia Youth Community Resource Centre, the St. James-Assiniboia Parent and Child Family Coalition and also the St. James-Assiniboia 55-plus Active Living Centre. Connie is now working with the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba as they move the 55-plus centre from Deer Lodge Hospital to the St. James Civic Centre.
Andrew Stambrook has been a mental health advocate with youth in our community for many years and is reducing the barriers and stigma of mental health, one school at a time. Andrew has been a volunteer with Big Brothers, has mentored three children and eventually served on their board of directors.
Elaine Stevenson is a founding member of the Eating Disorders Association of Manitoba and continues to be a strong voice and advocate for people with eating disorders in the hope that the government will establish a residential treatment program.
Robert (Bob) Williams is a founding member of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and has served as chair and a board member of the Manitoba Board of Nature Conservancy of Canada. Bob is a proud member of Polar Bears International and is especially proud of his efforts to assist in the creation of the Assiniboine Park Zoo polar bear exhibit, Journey to Churchill. As an honorary colonel of the Fort Garry Horse Bob is currently working on a project to develop a park and memorial for Canadian Forces veterans who served in Afghanistan.
Tom Dercola was a teacher and mentor at St. James Collegiate, where I had the good fortune of having him as a teacher. Tom formed strong bonds with students and teachers alike in his 35-year teaching career and established multiple scholarships for students whose achievements might not otherwise be recognized for scholarships. Tom continues his volunteer efforts at Harvest Manitoba, the Winnipeg Humane Society and through his involvement with CJNU radio, focusing on supports for seniors.
Scott Johnston
Assiniboia constituency report
Scott Johnston is the PC MLA for Assiniboia.