THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019
The Y Honours Local Peacemakers
This week, we celebrated local peacemakers at three different locations in our association. Congratulations to all of our local peacemakers and thank you to everyone who came out to support them.
In London, we honoured the following:
Dr. Bob and Donna Bourne – The Bournes lead and organize trips to Ecuador with Operation Walk Canada. Here, a group of skilled doctors performs hip surgeries on patients with developmental hip dysplasia. With a mission to help between 50-75 people each trip, the patients they help previously lived with constant pain, with many having been unable to walk for years.
Kipps Lane and Community Association – Run by a group of volunteers and devoted community members, the Association has worked hard to transform their neighbourhood. Through multiple yearly events and the involvement of youth, they’ve helped the Kipps Lane neighbourhood flourish into a thriving and engaging community and fostered positive change.
Sosina Tilahun – As a youth leader, Sosina recognized a need in her neighbourhood and created a program called Youth Connect (YC) to help foster academic excellence and encourage community engagement. Sosina voluntarily created this program that not only gives youth an opportunity to connect with others in a safe space, but it is also keeping some of them off the streets and away from negative influences.
In Windsor, we honoured the following:
Ava Pitre - Ava was diagnosed with Epilepsy when she was two years old. Since then, she has not gone 12 hours without a seizure. Ever since she was four years old, she has been helping other local children with Epilepsy, by raising money for fundraisers to purchase necessary items. She inspires her community with her selfless and loving attitude and ability to overcome her major obstacles to help others.
Catholic Central High School – With over 2/3 of their students enrolled in ESL, CCH has been helping newcomers adjust to life in Canada with English classes, peer mentorship programs, and more. They’re helping students pave the way for their future success.
Westview Freedom Academy Secondary School – This local high school ensures that newcomer youth can integrate well to life in Canada, with 34% of the school’s population being newcomers themselves. Working with other youth programs, they ensure these students feel a strong sense of belonging in their new home.
In Sarnia, we honoured long-time community volunteer Henny Drope.
For 25 years, Henny has served as a member and chair of the joint Refugee Committee of four Christian Reformed Churches in Sarnia-Lambton. She has shown great compassion for refugees, having been directly involved in the sponsorship and day-to-day settlement of more than a dozen families. To this day, she remains a friend of many of the families, showing us what good can come from collaborating together for the sake of a more peaceful world.
