Champion. The defender of a cause, a remarkable person, a hero or warrior.
Inclusion. Welcoming everyone into the group, be it a team, a business, a community, a club, a classroom, or any kind of organization.
The New Brunswick Association for Community Living (NBACL) will honour people who exemplify the words “champion” and “inclusion” at its inaugural Champions of Inclusion Awards celebration on the evening of Friday, March 20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Fredericton. The event will feature the first-ever presentation of the Andy Scott Social Policy Award and three Champion of Inclusion awards. The evening will also feature a keynote address by Sally Armstrong, a three-time recipient of the Amnesty International Award for her work in journalism and reporting on human rights.
The New Brunswick Association for Community Living works with and on behalf of children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families. Its Champion of Inclusion Awards recognize people, businesses and organizations that accept and include every person unconditionally as a valued member of their community, that view all people as important and contributing citizens, have shown strong leadership for inclusion and/or have demonstrated community leadership for an inclusive society through their work or through their daily life. The Andy Scott Social Policy Award celebrates recipients’ contributions to the development and improvement of social policies that advance the rights and quality of life of persons with a disability in New Brunswick.
“This awards ceremony will recognize some of the people who are really making a difference in terms of inclusion in this province,” says Phil Ouelette, a member of the NBACL Board and MC for the upcoming ceremony. “With the awards presentation and Sally Armstrong’s keynote address, the evening will be a wonderful celebration of what NBACL is all about.”
The New Brunswick Disability Executives’ Network (NBDEN) will be the inaugural recipient of the Andy Scott Social Policy Award. NBDEN is a supportive, professional peer network of executive directors of the 12 major disability organizations in New Brunswick who have worked collaboratively for the past 25 years on advancing public policies that support full inclusion and citizenship for persons with a disability and their families
The Sobeys store in Bathurst will receive a Champion of Inclusion Award for employing people with a disability for over 15 years. NBACL will especially recognize how the management and staff of the store have included Jedd Jamieson, a young man with Down Syndrome, who has worked at the Bathurst Sobeys for over six years.
The Pyke family from Fredericton, all seven of them – Theresa, Stephen, Ethan, Bridget, Charlotte, Liam and Grace – will be recognized with a Champion of Inclusion Award for their avid involvement in the Best Buddies program at Leo Hayes High School.
Shaun Gibbs, a teacher and coach at Riverview High School in the Moncton area, will receive a Champion of Inclusion Award for how he included two Grade 12 students with disabilities in his challenging Outdoor Pursuits course.
Sally Armstrong will speak on “If it’s not working for everyone, it’s not working for anyone” at the event, which will also feature a cocktail reception and entertainment by Signa Love. Ms. Armstrong is a member of the Order of Canada and has produced award-winning documentaries for her coverage of human rights stories. She is recognized globally for her work in conflict zones, from Bosnia and Somalia to Rwanda and Afghanistan.
Tickets for this special evening of recognition, inspiration, food and entertainment are limited. For more information, please contact NBACL at 506-453-4400, toll free at 1-866-622-2548, or by e-mail at nbacl@nbacl.nb.ca. Tickets may also be purchased by visiting http://champsofinclusion.eventbrite.ca.
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The New Brunswick Association for Community Living is a charitable, non-profit organization that works with and on behalf of children and adults with an intellectual disability and their families. Established in 1957, NBACL has 12 local associations throughout New Brunswick.
For more information, please contact Christy McLean, Manager of Communications for the New Brunswick Association for Community Living at cmclean@nbacl.nb.ca or call 1-506-260-6212 (cell).
