Mayor Jim Watson and Alta Vista Ward Councillor Jean Cloutier presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Samia Hirani at City Council today in recognition of her dedication to volunteering and fundraising.

Shortly after joining the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) as a volunteer guide, Samia Hirani expanded her volunteerism role to act as the local marketing lead for the AKFC’s World Partnership Walk starting in 2010. The Walk is Canada’s largest annual fundraising movement dedicated to fighting global poverty. Funds raised support development initiatives that allow women and men around the world to lift their communities out of poverty and build a brighter future.

Ms. Hirani also helped establish a Corporate Engagement Team for the Walk, volunteering over 100 hours to organize the team and help it achieve its fundraising targets. At the same time, Ms. Hirani was always available to assist and encourage other team leads in organizing their Walk efforts.

In this year’s Walk, Ms. Hirani raised funds by engaging her own workplace through their youth network and by creating the ‘Public Servants Shattering Poverty’ team, raising over $2,000. Samia Hirani also volunteered with the AKFC’s World Partnership Golf tournament and organized numerous fundraising efforts on behalf of the Walk throughout the year.

Mayor Jim Watson, Knoxville-Merivale Ward Councillor Keith Elgi and Rideau-Vanier Ward Councillor Mathieu Fleury presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Agnes Warda and June Girvan at City Council today. Ms. Warda was recognized for her dedication to her community and community association while Ms. Girvan was recognized for her service to children, youth and immigrant families.

Agnes Warda has been influential in transforming the Glens neighbourhood. She moved to the area in 1998, started working with the Glens Community Association in 2002 and has been president since 2004. Her commitment to the community has helped make the Glens a vibrant, green, family-friendly neighbourhood. Ms. Warda was also instrumental in establishing the Knoxdale-Merivale Council of Community Associations, which she chairs.

In her roles, Ms. Warda had contributed to City plans such as the Greenbelt Master plan and the City’s Official Plan and has provided leadership on issues ranging from transportation and infill development to community policing and environmental issues. She has also worked with both the Quality Care Alliance, Ottawa Chapter and the Canadian Polish Congress to advocate for better home care for seniors.

June Girvan was born to teach and as a teacher and an Education Officer, she was always committed to nurturing, protecting and affirming children and youth. When Ms. Girvan retired, she opened the J’Nikira Dinqinesh Education Centre for children, youth and immigrant families, offering programming that fosters understanding, racial harmony and social justice.

Ms. Girvan has been recognized many times for her tireless efforts. She was awarded a Community Champion Special Award by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and is a past recipient of the Martin Luther King DreamKeepers’ award for her distinguished community leadership and engagement. Ms. Girvan is also Acting President of Black History Ottawa, an organization that celebrates the history, culture, traditions and achievements of Canadians of African descent.

Mayor Jim Watson and Rideau-Rockcliffe Ward Councillor Tobi Nussbaum presented the Mayor’s City Builder Award to Graham Macmillan at City Council today in recognition of his dedication to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa (BGCO) and the Ottawa Senators Foundation.

In 2017, Mr. Macmillan stepped down as board chair of the BGCO after a decade at the helm. The club grew dramatically under his leadership from an average of 10,000 visits and just over 2,600 members in 2009 to 114,000 visits and 4,500 members in 2016.

While at the organization’s helm, Mr. Macmillan oversaw numerous capital campaigns to improve services, modernize program space and make the clubhouses more accessible for all residents. The BGCO is a key resource for children and youth in Ottawa. It offers after school, weekend and summer programs for kids aged 6 to 18 and provides them with opportunities for new experiences, confidence-building and social interaction in a safe and caring space.

Mr. Macmillan also served as the Chair of the Ottawa Senators Foundation, aligning the organization with the BGCO. Mr. Macmillan continues to serve as a BGCO and Ottawa Senators Foundation board member today.

Mary Ann Varley was recognized for her community leadership in visual arts and cultural development. The City Builder Award was presented to her by Deputy Mayor Mark Taylor and Beacon Hill-Cyrville Councillor Tim Tierney on behalf of Mayor Jim Watson at yesterday’s Council meeting.

Ms. Varley has volunteered with Arteast, a not-for-profit organization that helps its members develop their abilities and interests in the visual arts, in a variety of leadership positions. She has served as the President and Vice President of the organization, and now helps guide Arteast’s board and mentor other members.

Arteast fosters the growth of visual arts in Ottawa and the surrounding regions. In support of the organization’s community outreach, Ms. Varley has led the Grow With Art speaker series since 2009, and supported other outreach activities and art exhibitions. A life-long artist that generously and selflessly gives her time, Ms. Varley is also an active member of the Ottawa Art Association.

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.