Fourteen individuals and 3 organizations have been recognized with the Community Recognition Awards by the City of Fredericton for freely giving countless hours of their time to serve others in the community.
Among other things, the recipients were recognized for promoting participation in sports, advocating for public health, supporting newcomers and immigrants, as well as creating awareness and support for community members experiencing domestic violence and people living with disabilities.
The awards were presented during a ceremony at Fredericton City Hall attended by Mayor Kate Rogers and members of City Council.
The Community Recognition Awards are targeted at individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes so that others can thrive within the community, whether that through sports, clubs, services, or organizations.
For more information on the Community Recognition Awards, visit the City’s website here
About the Recipients
Former STU Women’s soccer coaches Michelle, Amy and Vanessa are influential members of the soccer community through the Fredericton District Soccer Association. Working together to build up the STU Tommies women’s soccer program, the trio lead the team into three consecutive ACAA finals and brought home STU’s first ACAA championship in 20 years. After volunteering countless hours to the benefit of the program and players, these three great models are stepping down after leaving an influential mark on the program.
Alan Atkins is an influential member of the Fredericton community. Volunteering his time and resources to various events and organizations, Alan has been heavily involved with the Fredericton Community Kitchens since 2019. He dedicates most of his time to the Student Hunger Program that provides daily lunches and more to 20 school partners in Fredericton. As a positive and selfless member of our community, Alan is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Asif Hasan has long been involved in supporting newcomers in various ways. He devotes numerous hours per week to organizations such as the International Students Association, LIPF, Dialogue NB, and more. Through his compassion and respect, Asif has acted as a mentor and friend to newcomers and permanent residents of the community since 2019!
President of the New Brunswick Medical Society, Dr. Mark MacMillan is an advocate for important health care needs across the province. Advocating for vaccinations as well as keeping residents informed, he was a key contributor to the provinces fight against Covid. As a board member of the Chalmers Foundation, he devotes his time to supporting nursing rights, as well as Radiothon, Summer Sweepstakes and more. Despite his busy work life, Dr. MacMillan dedicates his time to supporting the needs of his community in every way he can.
Guna Kulasegaram is dedicated in his efforts to help others. After decades of work within the organization, Guna has taken over as the Executive Director of Jobs Unlimited Inc. in Fredericton. He goes above and beyond with his work, making the lives of clients and staff better through his tireless efforts. Over the years Guna has been involved with organizations such as the New Brunswick Asian Heritage Society, the New Brunswick Multicultural Council, and more – as well as being a dedicated member of Grace Memorial Baptist Church.
Irene Jewett is known for her love of giving back to the community. The immediate benefactors of Irene’s efforts are with Liberty Lane, providing support to those who seek shelter, medical assistance, and a sense of safety within the walls of the facility. Whether it be raising money for youth groups, collecting donations for the Food Bank, or supporting one of several other non-profit organizations, Irene is eager to help.
Joining the organization in 2020, John Reid works as a volunteer advisor to The Gaia Project. As a charitable organization with a mission to empower young people to take climate action, John brings years of experience working in governments and the energy sector, providing institutional guidance that has helped The Gaia Project grow. This past year he has become chair of the fundraising committee, volunteering even more of his time. It is because of volunteers like John that The Gaia Project was able to reach nearly 300 students across 15 Fredericton schools in 2022!
Jonathan Edwards is a team player on all fronts. Overseeing the merger of Fredericton’s YCBC Capitals and the NMBA Lions – joining to create The Fusion – Jon has been president since its inception in 2020. He works tirelessly to support youth sports in Fredericton, starting a Jr Referee program giving youth an opportunity to build leadership skills and engage with the sport they love. Growing from just over 200 youth basketball players to almost 500, The Fusion is growing and thriving due to the hard work and dedication of many, under the steadfast leadership of Jon!
Through her dedication and volunteer work at the vaccine clinic, Kathleen Simonds is a valuable resource to our community. As a retired nurse, Kathleen was willing to spend several days a week volunteering at the clinic in the height of the pandemic. Helping by managing appointments, answering questions/concerns, sanitizing and more, Kathleen goes out of her way to help everyone and was a key contributor to the success of the clinic. She is dedicated and always willing to help, even in the toughest times.
Martina Stephens has been a hardworking and dedicated member of the community since a young age. At 15, Martina began sponsoring a young girl through the Compassion Canada Organization, using money she made working at a local pizza company. She remained a sponsor whilst putting herself through college – completing a 4-year degree in 3, while working evenings and weekends. She has recently become an active board member of the Fredericton Community Kitchen, where she sits on the Finance and Student Hunger Project Committee. Going above and beyond to put the needs of others above her own, Martina is a true inspiration to all.
Mitchell Goodine has worked tirelessly to create safe, kid-friendly spaces for the 2SLGTBQIA+ community. Going out of their way to spread kindness and love with a message of inclusivity and compassion, Mitchell’s goal is to educate first through literacy initiatives and expand the knowledge of our community. Advocating for the two-spirit, gender non-conforming and transgender communities, they provide a judgement free and safe space for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and their allies. Benefiting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community directly, Mitchell’s message speaks to anyone seeking mental health support and validation, while simultaneously educating the community.
Dedicating countless hours to the NBCPD, Shelley Petit has been a staple in the young organization’s recognition throughout the province. Shelley has helped create a strong relationship between the organization and the NB Medical Society, pushing for easier access to filling out forms for the DTC. Working to become the voice for all disabilities within the province, the NBCPD has also secured access to mammography chairs for all patients with limited mobility. Battling MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities), Shelley makes it happen all from home!
Working closely with multiple organizations, Tanya Whitney is a loyal contributor to the community. Tanya is the gold standard of leadership for New Brunswick’s inclusive education movement, dedicating the past 30+ years to advocating for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability within our schools. She provides support to survivors of sexual violence through Sexual Violence NB’s crisis line, as well as delivering meals for Meals on Wheels every Sunday since the pandemic. Tanya shows up and does the work, putting countless hours of her own time into the community.
Launched in March of 2022, STRIDE was created by three avid Fredericton runners with the goal of providing guidance and helping runners connect with the community. With weekly workouts open to all, STRIDE has created an inclusive and supportive environment with members ranging in age from teenagers to those in their 70’s! Volunteer leaders prioritize educating runners on how to run the right way. Giving expert advice and tips on form and recovery, every STRIDE runner benefits from the dedication of this team.
Constantine Passaris is a respected community leader and spokesperson for the benefits of immigration. Over the last 50 years, he has contributed countless volunteer hours towards making Fredericton a more welcoming place for immigrants. He has served as an advocate for multiculturalism, promoted a public policy visionary, and advocated for human rights, diversity and more. Constantine’s dedication has changed the narrative and promoted an inclusive society for multicultural minorities in Fredericton.
Boaz Global is a registered Canadian nonprofit serving teens locally, nationally, and globally. The volunteer efforts of this team have helped bring in 19 families from Ukraine. Assisting these families with employment, enrollment into the school system, and getting the proper documentation – Scott and Alona go above and beyond in their efforts to help newcomers get settled. The team at Boaz Global provides everyone an opportunity to thrive and succeed in Fredericton.
Heather Storey is an avid contributor to the Homeless Shelter, Drop-in Centers, and Out of the Cold Centers. Regularly bringing home baked goods and donating needed items to these locations, Heather never hesitates to help anyone in need. She has been instrumental in starting “Martha’s Pantry” which is open to the community, as well as helping to identify local students in need of bag lunches. Heather has devoted countless hours of her free time to insure everyone has what they need to thrive.
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Media Contact: Adam Grant, Recreation Leader, City of Fredericton, 506-292-6174, adam.grant@fredericton.ca