Mayor Jim Watson and West Carleton-March Councillor Eli El-Chantiry recognized Karen Taylor for her long-standing community leadership in Fitzroy Harbour, especially during the 2017 spring flood response, by presenting her with the City Builder Award at today’s Council meeting.

In her long-serving role as president of the Fitzroy Harbour Community Association, Ms. Taylor has been a master organizer of many successful local fundraising events and activities, such as Harbour Days summer festival, the Winter Carnival, the Spring Fling fundraiser, and the New Year’s Eve community event. Her leadership and community spirit were also key to securing the funding to improve the Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre.

Last May, Karen Taylor displayed the same passion and leadership for her community during the response of the 2017 spring floods. Her organizational skills were instrumental in organizing both volunteers and actions to help her community and neighbours in need.  Her community spirit has continuously brought together her fellow neighbours in both good times and bad.

Mayor Jim Watson and Kanata South Ward Councillor Allan Hubley presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Tony Mariani at City Council today in recognition of his dedication to volunteerism, particularly for Ottawa’s Italian community.

Mr. Mariani has been involved with organizing Italian Week in Ottawa since 1975, putting together a week-long program of events that celebrates the history, heritage and impact that Ottawa’s Italian community has had on the City. Mr. Mariani has been instrumental in organizing an annual gala for St. Anthony’s Church for the past decade. St. Anthony’s is the unofficial home of Ottawa’s Italian community.

Mr. Mariani, the CEO of Mar Gard Builders Limited, is also a proud supporter of Make-A-Wish Foundation Eastern Ontario and has worked tirelessly to raise funds. He has been named an Honorary Lifetime Board Member for his continued dedication.

Mayor Jim Watson and River Ward Councillor, Riley Brockington, presented Dallas Greeley with the Mayor’s City Builder Award at today’s City Council meeting.

Dallas Greeley first started volunteering with the Billings Estate National Historic Site tea room 12 years ago. Since then she has branched out to support City of Ottawa museums in other areas, including children’s programs, site maintenance such as painting fences and gardening, Doors Open Ottawa, as well as mentoring, training and interviewing prospective volunteers. Dallas has proven her reliability and passion for public service. She is a valuable ambassador to both the public and other volunteers.

Contributing over two thousand hours, Dallas has been a leading example of community involvement on the front line of museums by delivering exceptional customer service and by contributing feedback, ideas, and suggestions for improving operations.

Dallas’ record of volunteerism at the museum is unrivalled at over these twelve years. She has spent a great deal of time ensuring that visitors of all ages feel welcome and accommodated during their museum visits and many of them enquire about her on subsequent visits.

Jacob Baylin was presented with the Mayor’s City Builder Award at today’s City Council meeting by Mayor Jim Watson and Bay Ward Councillor, Mark Taylor.

Not many 16 year olds would think of donating their own money to a sports club. However, Jacob Baylin saw the financial challenges facing many families at the Bell Warriors Football Club and he chose to step up. Jacob was an award winning player at the Club and has continued to donate even after his playing days. He recently became the youngest person in the club’s 62-year history to be named a Friend of the Warriors sponsor.

A key mandate of the Bell Warriors Football Club is to keep the sport “Affordable for All”. The club also aims to instill the value of setting an example through one’s actions. This idea has become a focal point in the Club’s communication efforts and has ultimately led to more than a half dozen sponsors for the non-profit youth sports club.

True leaders strive to be part of the solution and that’s what Jacob is all about. His selfless contribution has set an example of leadership and thoughtfulness. As one of the team’s most recent alumni, he has learned by example and become a catalyst for change.

Osman Naqvi was presented with the Mayor’s City Builder Award at today’s City Council meeting by Mayor Jim Watson, Gloucester-South Nepean Ward Councillor, Michael Qaqish and Bay Ward Councillor Mark Taylor.

Osman Naqvi is a natural leader, social entrepreneur and youth empowerment advocate. He founded the Kiwanis Club of Barrhaven, and helped to create the YOUth Heroes initiative – a citywide campaign that empowers local youth to create positive social change in their communities. Osman has been an active leader with the Caring and Sharing Exchange, Carleton University’s Young Liberals Association, the Canadian Hearing Society and the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.

He was nominated for the Best Volunteer in a Supporting Role award for his work in the programme named Assisting youth in the community. In March of 2016, Osman’s organization YOUth Heroes, had a proclamation passed by the City of Ottawa to recognize Superhero Week. The week consists of activities and events that provide at-risk youth with the mentorship and resources they need to achieve their dreams.

In addition to Superhero Week, YOUth Heroes hosted an afternoon school program for at risk youth in collaboration with YouthREX. The program was called Noise Superhero School and focused on the importance of philanthropy and education to inspire, guide and mentor youth to bring social change to their communities. One notable change that came from the Noise Superhero School program was the creation of the YOUth in the Hall event where youth spent the day at City Hall with the Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor and various City Councillors. Osman’s hard work, genuine care and the friendships he has created along the way have made these initiatives possible.

Osman is a graduate of the Master of Management program at the Schulich School of Business and he continues to use his talent and determination to give back. He is currently in the process of developing a social enterprise to bring hygiene products to areas in need.

Catherine Kelly was presented with the Mayor’s City Builder Award at today’s City Council meeting by Mayor Jim Watson and Capital Ward Councillor, David Chernushenko.

As the Vice President Internal of Carleton University’s Student Association (CUSA), Catherine Kelly has worked hard to ensure that student council runs transparently and that all 300 clubs on campus are supported. As a feminist, she has leveraged her position and has gone above and beyond her job description to support survivors of sexual violence and to prevent sexual assault on-and-off campus. Thanks to her initiative, Catherine’s policy work will result in over 1000 students being trained in peer-to-peer support and sexual violence prevention.

The training aims to create a conversation about consent amongst other student leaders. This training will make Carleton University the national university leader in sexual violence prevention. Catherine’s initiative will be modelled in schools across the country in an effort to create a nation-wide progressive movement.

In addition to her political platform, Catherine is also an aspiring journalist. She hopes to write stories that build community and promote the good that happens here in Ottawa. Two years ago, Catherine became the editor of a website that celebrates Ottawa and the many fantastic events happening in the city. As a new initiative, she covered everything from concerts to art shows, and used the website to promote activities in Ottawa with the hope of connecting residents with the events happening in their neighbourhoods. As editor, she also helped guide a team of 14 interns.

Catherine joined Centretown News as a journalist and advertisement manager. Her articles with Centretown have focused on entrepreneurs creating positive social change in Ottawa, such as the Ottawa Tool Library and Nu Grocery store. Her goal is to once again promote Ottawa’s unique culture and celebrate community leaders.

At CUSA, Catherine endeavours to help others achieve success. For example, she has created a collaboration fund for clubs that collaborate together on events. Her vision was to encourage clubs to network outside of their social circles and to collaborate with each other in order to host bigger and better events.

She has also founded a philanthropy fund for on-campus groups and individuals who want to do philanthropy work but have no fundraising resources. Additionally, Catherine is working to make it mandatory for all on-campus clubs to have an Equity Officer, a role that will promote intersectionality, diversity, and equality within their organizations. She cares about her campus and City, and has used her talents to improve both.

Albert Tang was presented with the Mayor’s City Builder Award at today’s City Council meeting by Mayor Jim Watson and Gloucester-Southgate Ward Councillor, Diane Deans.

Albert Tang came from Hong Kong to Canada over 40 years ago as a young man trying to build a future in the country he loved. He worked very hard as a waiter in restaurants until he started his own restaurant on Somerset Street, integrating well with a successful business. He appreciates Canadian values and wants to help other newcomers to get help they need to settle well in Canada.

Albert is an active member and leader in the Chinese community in Ottawa. He was on the board of the Chinese Community Association, the Chinese Building Association and was a member of the Free Mason Association, all of which has helped Chinese immigrants integrate into the community. Albert is well known in the community, and as a result, the Ottawa Chinese Community Service Center (OCCSC) applied for the funding to publish a book about the settlement of Chinese immigrants in Canada. Albert served on the advisory committee to produce this book, written by Denise Chong, and now available in libraries, schools and public events.

As a businessman and a civic leader, Albert understands the importance of building a good relationship with China. He is enthusiastic in visiting China to meet with people who share an interest in promoting international understanding and creating business opportunities. He was involved in planning and building the most recent Chinese Gateway in Chinatown and was successful in finding the builder directly from China.

Mayor Jim Watson, Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder, and Gloucester-South Nepean Councillor Michael Qaqish presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award today at City Council to Don Winchester, the President of the Barrhaven Seniors’ Council, for his many contributions to the community. 

Don Winchester and his wife Marilyn have been active in the community since moving here from Calgary in 2011. He reached out to Councillor Harder who was interested in starting a seniors group in Barrhaven. That led to a meeting in December, 2013 with Mayor Watson, Councillor Harder, and seniors from the community to discuss the need for programs and services for older adults in Barrhaven.

In 2014 Don became the Co-founder and President of the Barrhaven Seniors’ Council, a popular and active organization in the community that is now a registered charity with almost 600 members. Don is being recognized for his energy, leadership and enthusiasm in delivering programs and services to seniors. Before the Council was active, seniors had to leave the community for programs. Now they enjoy bridge and euchre clubs; social activities, chair exercises and other outings closer to home.

Don’s motivation and leadership in steering this group to success has given members new friendships and a sense of community through weekly activities and the best potlucks in the neighbourhood. As the Senior Advisor of the Project Steering Committee for the Barrhaven Community and Cultural Centre, Don’s dream is to have a quality, new centre for programs and services for the seniors of Barrhaven.

Mayor Jim Watson and Kitchissippi Ward Councillor Jeff Leiper presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Rabbi Cantor Daniel Benlolo at City Council today in recognition of his volunteer service, particularly with the Jewish and interfaith communities.

Rabbi Cantor Benlolo is very active in the community. He has worked as an educator at Talmud Torah and as a Judaic advisor for the Tamir Foundation. He is a frequent visitor to educational institutions to deliver interfaith messages of hope and peace.

For Rabbi Cantor Benlolo, music is really at the heart of everything he does. He uses music to bring people together. He regularly visits the sick and the elderly and sings for them. He works closely with adults with disabilities, breaking down barriers through song. He founded the Tamir Neshama Choir, comprised entirely of adults with developmental disabilities.

Rabbi Cantor Benlolo has been recognized for his community work. He is the recipient of the Elaine Rabin Social Services Award, the 2013 Governor General Caring Canadian Award and the 2004 United Way Community Builder Award.

Mayor Jim Watson, with councillors Catherine McKenney, Mathieu Fleury, Michael Qaqish and Marianne Wilkinson, presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Ibrahim Musa today at City Council in recognition of his volunteer work and efforts to empower and inspire young people in Ottawa.

Ibrahim Musa is the Communications and Engagement Coordinator with Youth Ottawa, a not-for-profit charity founded in 1997 that envisions a city where youth drive positive change. Youth Ottawa was spearheaded by Max Keeping to take his advocacy for children and youth to the next level. The charity provides youth across Ottawa with the resources, training and support to develop the skills, confidence and strategies necessary to build a better community for themselves and their peers. Ibrahim is recognized for his belief that every moment spent with youth is an opportunity to empower and inspire them, and for living by that principle in his day-to-day life.

Ibrahim arrived in Canada as a refugee from Iraq in 2002 and has lived in Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) ever since. He is an OCH Tenant Ambassador and a volunteer with the Ottawa Youth Engagement Committee (OYEC) where he works to increase youth engagement in decision making within the City of Ottawa. OYEC helps to encourage youth engagement and to amplify youth voices and representation at the City of Ottawa.

Ibrahim is the founder and Executive Director of the Cuts for Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides free haircuts for children of low-income families in the Ottawa community. He is currently a student of Political Sciences at the University of Ottawa and uses the opportunity to take what he learns in the classroom into the real world, every day.

He is passionate about national socio-economic issues affecting low-income youth and families, which inspired him to initiate Cuts for Kids in 2015. Since its inception, Ibrahim has managed a team of eight dedicated volunteers. He has mobilized community members, local barbershops, hair salons and even lawyers who attend his events and provide pro bono advice and assistance. Ibrahim inspires youth to pursue and achieve their goals and Cuts for Kids is meant to help youth look and feel good about themselves. In August 2017, the Cuts for Kids Foundation received Agent Status with Youth Ottawa and officially become a charity. All Cuts for Kids fundraising efforts go directly towards the program to help more children around the City of Ottawa.