Medal of Good Citizenship: T-Z
Last updated on April 29, 2025P–S < Previous
Browse recipients by last name. Search for a name using 'Ctrl+F' to jump to a specific recipient. Biographies reflect achievements at time of appointment.
An asterisk (*) indicates that the recipient is deceased.
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Isabelle Tang
At a very young age Isabelle Tang was inspired by the people around her to give back to the community. She participated in the Children's Hospital 'Balding for Dollars' raising an amazing $19,331. She volunteered her time and organized her friends to assist in the 'Children We Care Gala' and 'Time to Shine Gala'. She has also given piano performances at Villa Cathay Senior Home and South Granville Park Lodge.
Along with her family, Isabelle recognized a need on the east side of Vancouver for protective masks. Masks were supplied to more than nine community organizations.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become very difficult for high school students to participate in volunteer activities within their communities. Isabelle has worked to find safe volunteer opportunities for her friends.
In February 2021, she delivered 500 pink masks to her high school in support of Pink Shirt Day. School staff, administration and students were all encouraged to wear the pink masks.
In May 2021, Isabelle organized the necessary volunteers to assist in B.C. Children's Hospital – ‘Shine Mother’s Day Tea At Home’, preparing the packaging and organizing the delivery. This project raised $31,000.
A June 2021 fundraising project called ‘Villa Cathay Rejuvenation Project - Charity Dragon Boat Dumplings’ was initiated by Isabelle and her family. She assisted with organizing volunteers, packaging and delivering the dumplings. A total sell out, the event raised $15,000.
In September 2021, Isabelle set up the Orange Youth Volunteers with the support of the principal and the administration of her school. The project created awareness of the impact of residential schools. Orange masks were provided to the staff and students on a donation basis. All proceeds were donated to the Orange Shirt Society.
- Year Awarded: 2021
- City: Richmond
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Rhoda Taylor
Rhoda Taylor has dedicated over 40 years to community service. Her impact on various organizations has significantly contributed to the betterment of the Cowichan Valley.
Serving as an Executive Board Member of Volunteer Cowichan for nearly thirty years, Rhoda played a pivotal role in connecting volunteers with organizations, strengthening the relationships between community-based agencies, and introducing the Living Wage to Cowichan.
As a founding member and the current chair of the Board of Directors of Literacy Now Cowichan, she champions lifelong learning, promoting literacy in reading, writing, math and technical skills for individuals of all ages, making education accessible to everyone.
Over thirteen years ago, it became apparent there was an incredible gap in services to nourish people. In collaboration with others, Rhoda assisted in rallying a diverse group of volunteers to provide meals to hungry individuals. Meals on the Ground provides approximately 550 barrier-free meals monthly.
As a passionate advocate for human rights, Rhoda worked to strengthen the conversation about refugees immigrating to Cowichan. Rhoda is active with the Cowichan Intercultural Society as a refugee sponsor, fundraising to personally aid in the settlement of multiple families.
Rhoda’s involvement with the Canadian Mental Health Association-Cowichan Valley Branch’s Warmland House Shelter in 2010 demonstrates her unwavering commitment to addressing critical community needs.
Notably, Rhoda's commitment to community well-being has been unwavering even in the face of personal challenges. While caring for her 100-year-old mother and terminally ill husband, Rhoda continued to dedicate herself to the service of others. She instills the values of giving and serving in the younger generation. Her children and grandchildren actively participate in community service, a testament to her influence as a compassionate role model.
- Year Awarded: 2023
- City: Duncan
- Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
Sahib Thind
Sahib Thind was honoured with the medal for his unwavering dedication to human rights.
For almost a quarter century he had been the driving force for a formal Parliamentary apology for the 1914 Komagata Maru incident in which hundreds of passengers from India who sought refuge in the country and province were denied entry to Canada and turned away without benefit of the fair and impartial treatment benefitting a society where people of all cultures are welcomed and accepted.
His foundation, the Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, criss-crossed Canada, and travelled abroad to bring attention to the cause and lobby for an official Parliamentary apology in various legislative assemblies, including those in B.C. and in the Indian State of Punjab. All the travel costs were personally paid for by Sahib.
The Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation lobbied the B.C. provincial government for an apology for its role in this tragedy. After 94 years, the B.C. legislature unanimously passed a motion on May 23, 2008, apologizing for the Komagata Maru incident. “This house deeply regrets that the passengers who sought refuge were turned away,” said Liberal House Leader Mike de Jong.
In May 2016 the federal government apologized for the Komagata Maru incident and for his part in this struggle, Sahib and his organization have been recognized in the Punjab State legislature in India, and in the Canadian Parliament.
With the official Komagata Maru apology in hand, Sahib is continuing his efforts and expanding his actions to include issues faced by many other communities by working to establish diverse curricula in all Canadian provinces.
The non-partisan, non-denominational, human rights foundation hosts the Mela Gadri Babiyan Da in Bear Creek Park in Surrey, with Sahib leading all organizational efforts. The festival, which invites South Asian performers from around the world, is attended by 70,000-100,000 festival-goers. It is all put on by volunteers, and the foundation charges no admission.
- Year Awarded: 2017
- City: Surrey
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Louis Thomas
Louis Thomas is a Secwepemc Knowledge-Keeper from the Neskonlith First Nation. He has been walking a path of reconciliation, relationship building and teaching in the Shuswap for over 40 years.
Thomas’ compassionate nature has been the bridge to help span Indigenous and settler culture groups in his community. His determination to share Secwepemc knowledge and culture with children throughout the region has helped shape school curriculum, art gallery exhibitions, library programs and writers festivals.
The son of Dr. Mary Thomas, the famed Neskonlith elder and ethnobotanist, Thomas continues his mother’s legacy by staying involved with all aspects of life in the Shuswap region. His efforts to preserve traditional Secwepemc food plants were the centerpiece of a recent exhibition exploring food sovereignty, security and sustainability.
As a community leader Thomas believes that all facets of community: housing, safe walking routes, food security, community building, restoration of the Salmon River delta, respect for the land and economic improvement are all connected. He works to cross-reference his efforts in each of these areas with groups who might be focused on only one thing.
Thomas is also a relationship builder. By targeting positive leaders and teaching through story, traditional knowledge, humour, persistence and gentle persuasion, he has created legacy organizations that are changing minds and relationships in both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities of the Shuswap.
Thomas was one of the trail stewards in a Salmon Arm Arts Centre exhibition and trail exploration project from 2014 to 2016. His impact was immense. He became a leader and helped the Arts Centre navigate the project with a respect for traditional wisdom, language, and story-telling.
Thomas has also founded several other local organizations, including the Salmon River Watershed Council, the Switzmalph Cultural Society, the Shuswap Trail Alliance and the Shuswap Regional Trails Roundtable. He continues to help advance the national mandate to reconcile Indigenous and settler culture relations.
His work to support basic nutrition of his people includes outings to traditional food harvesting areas. These trips always include two or three people of Indigenous or non-Indigenous heritage, to whom he will impart his incredible knowledge of the land and its gifts.
Thomas strives to ensure this knowledge will continue to be passed down throughout the generations.
- Year Awarded: 2019
- City: Salmon Arm
- Region: Thompson/Okanagan
Andrew Tom
Residing in the heart of the Wet'suwet'en Nation Andrew Tom shows resilience, compassion and an unyielding commitment to community service. Andrew, now one of the youngest Chiefs in his nation, has dedicated over 20 years to uplifting his community, advocating for justice and preserving Indigenous culture.
Andrew wears many hats, serving on various agency boards. His extensive involvement includes being the President of the Wilp Si'satxw House of Purification Society, Director for the Office of the Wet'suwet'en Society, Band Councillor for Witset First Nation and President of the Yikh Lhiw Dinle Housing Society. These roles highlight Andrew's multifaceted contributions to social and economic development.
As the president of the Dze L K'ant Friendship Centre Society, Andrew showcases his breadth of knowledge in social programming and civic duties. His leadership has led to transformative changes, introducing prevention programs for youth, hosting impactful events and securing substantial grants for community initiatives.
At the forefront of Andrew's priorities is the well-being of his home community of Witset. From coordinating the Food Bank and Patient Travel services to serving as the communications coordinator and assistant band manager, his commitment is unwavering. Andrew actively engages with the nation, providing mentorship and fostering a sense of cultural pride.
As youth and victim justice worker and community wellness coordinator, he actively pursues the Truth and Reconciliation's Calls to Action related to justice.
He is a respected advocate for unity and harmony, bridging gaps and building connections between Wet'suwet'en and neighbouring nations. His tireless work has earned him the trust of elders, who see him as a knowledge keeper and a champion for cultural preservation.
Andrew's journey is a testament to the transformative power of one individual's dedication to community well-being.
- Year Awarded: 2023
- City: Smithers
- Region: Northern BC
Ricky Tsang
Ricky Tsang, a dedicated community leader, has spent the last 14 years tirelessly contributing to the well-being of vulnerable populations. His commitment to enriching the lives of seniors and children with unique healthcare needs has left an indelible mark on various organizations.
From 2007 to 2019, Ricky devoted Saturdays to volunteering at St. Vincent's Langara, fostering joy among elders through innovative programs like "Coffeehouse" and performative arts. His leadership role, mentoring new volunteers and amassing over 800 hours of service, earned him the Providence Health Care Volunteer Resources scholarship in 2019.
Ricky's impact extends to the Canucks Autism Network, where his award-winning volunteerism enhanced the social, communication and physical skills of children with autism, contributing over 400 hours.
His passion for children's healthcare led him to the Children's Organ Transplant Society (COTS) and Starlight Canada. At COTS, Ricky's strategic initiatives doubled auction revenues to $10,000 yearly, aiding transplant families. During COVID-19, he spearheaded online fundraising, providing personal protection equipment and virtual events for immunosuppressed children.
In his role on COTS' Board of Directors, Ricky advocates for increased funding and support, particularly in nutrition, highlighting his commitment to the holistic well-being of transplant children.
With Starlight, Ricky pioneered annual legacy programs for chronically ill children and crafted app-based scavenger hunts, offering joy and recreation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. His innovative approach continues to resonate, entering its third year of success.
Ricky's journey is characterized by selflessness, dedication and a relentless pursuit of bettering the lives of those he serves.
- Year Awarded: 2023
- City: Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Vivian Tsang
Vivian Tsang is a medical student at the University of British Columbia, where she is recognized as a National Schulich Scholar, and Major Entrance Scholarship winner. The impetus for her medical pursuits is her vision for the future of healthcare: one that is inclusive and accessible to all Canadians, no matter their past or current circumstances.
To bring this to reality, Tsang Vivian is dedicating her life to improving healthcare accessibility and reducing social inequalities for vulnerable population groups.
She founded and serves as the Director of The Humanitarian Organization for Providing Empowerment (HOPE) Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization that empowers students to work alongside marginalized local and international community groups through mutual aid and interpersonal humanitarianism.
Tsang Vivian dedicates her time to organizing various events for Vancouver’s homeless community and has created Warmth of Winter Portfolios to highlight the perspectives of clients in various stages of homelessness. She also organizes the HOPE for Success program in the Lower Mainland which annually helps over 3,000 students with their transition into post-secondary education. Tsang Vivian also serves as a peer academic coach initiating city-wide workshops for girls coming from inner-city schools.
For her work, Tsang Vivian has been awarded the City of Vancouver’s Award of Excellence, UBC’s Premier and Wesbrook Scholarship, and was nominated as a YWCA Young Woman of Distinction.
Vivian is also heavily involved in pediatric patient advocacy through her positions as National Director of the National KidsCan Initiative and on the Board of Directors on the International Children’s Advisory Network–an advisory group that collaborates with researchers and clinicians around the world to improve pediatric research.
Since starting medical school, Vivian has taken the lead as Co-Chair of the Medical Undergraduate Society’s Political Development Committee and recently represented the Faculty of Medicine in advocating for improved youth mental health with the Minister of Health in B.C. Along with her role on Vancouver City Council’s Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee, Tsang Vivian is working on advocating for improvements to mental health resources for B.C. youth.
Between her years in medical school, Tsang Vivian worked in South Africa and Zimbabwe to learn about HIV/AIDS infection prevention for populations living in low-resource settings. She supplemented this field work with an internship in Switzerland at the World Health Organization working in Tropical Diseases Research to implement tuberculosis protocols in Zambia.
With any spare time, she Vivian loves mentoring the next generation of leaders. In particular, she serves as a mentor with UBC Women in Science Club, and with the YWCA in Vancouver out of her passion for the empowerment of young women in pursuit of science.
- Year Awarded: 2019
- City: Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
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Parminder Virk
Parminder Virk stands as a force for positive change and community building, with an illustrious record of service spanning over a decade. As a devoted mother and mental health career professional, Parminder's role as coordinator for the Outreach Bridging program with Island Community Mental Health epitomizes her commitment to providing long-term support to those on the path to recovery.
Her commitment extends beyond her career through her role leading the Punjabi Cultural Community Association of Victoria, a non-profit organization focused on preserving the Punjabi culture in Canada while promoting diversity, bringing people together in Saanich, and helping those in need.
Annually, Paminder leads the organization in preparing hundreds of free meals for the Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society, Our Place Society and hot lunch programs in schools. Parminder also coordinated the organization to support other charitable organizations, including the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, WIN-Women in Need Community Cooperative, Victoria Hospitals Foundation - Cancer Care and the Esquimalt Syrian Refugee program.
In her role as a dedicated community programmer for Saanich Parks and Recreation, Parminder has left a mark orchestrating Multifaith Family Festivals and coordinating celebrations such as Lohri, Vasaikhi, and Diwali events, and the Punjabi Mela.
Parminder taught at the Sikh Temple for over 20 years, teaching children how to read and write Punjabi, showcasing her dedication to preserving and sharing her rich cultural heritage. Parminder also co-hosts a multicultural radio show featuring a variety of Punjabi traditional and modern songs.
In her role as vice-president of the India Canada Cultural Association (ICCA) Parminder helped organize cultural events that celebrate Indian heritage.
In collaboration with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Parminder played a pivotal role in initiatives like the Inter-Faith Dialogue Project and the Inter-Faith Bridging project, fostering dialogue and understanding connections among diverse communities. A Victoria Multifaith Society staff member says: Parminder is a "true ambassador for the Sikh belief in the equality of humanity and selfless service to others."
Her tireless efforts, whether in leading the Punjabi Cultural Community Association of Victoria in giving back to the community, or promoting inclusion and diversity, exemplify her as a true community leader.
- Year Awarded: 2023
- City: Saanich
- Region: Vancouver Island/Coast
Spencer van Vloten
Recognizing the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly difficult on British Columbians with disabilities, Spencer van Vloten was determined to make a difference. He put hundreds of hours into developing B.C. Disability – an online information and social hub that connects disabled British Columbians across the province.
Online since mid-2020, between its webpage and media accounts, B.C. Disability has more than 15,000 members. It is a place where persons with disabilities across B.C. can find pandemic resources, provide mutual support and advocate for their well-being.
Spencer personally responds to every inquiry and spends hours each day helping the people who reach out for support, whether it was researching emergency benefits or chatting on the phone with a total stranger who is feeling isolated.
Spencer has also directly contributed to the material well-being of disabled British Columbians by using his 'Show My Work' series to promote local artists with disabilities, which includes purchasing their creations and featuring them in online showcases.
Spencer’s pandemic leadership extends to the boardroom. He chairs Community Living B.C.’s Vancouver Council, where his leadership during the pandemic has been instrumental. Spencer has organized mental health workshops, online social activities to curb pandemic isolation, as well as meetings with MLAs and city councillors so persons with disabilities and their families could ask elected officials COVID-19 related questions.
Every week he volunteered as a greeter at a senior's thrift shop, helping ensure that seniors are safe and following COVID-19 protocols. He worked each day as a Youth Program Leader for Easter Seals B.C., where he developed virtual programs for youth with disabilities across B.C. who couldn't attend in-person programs due to COVID-19.
Spencer has made it his mission during the pandemic to help others, without any consideration of himself or expecting any recognition.
- Year Awarded: 2021
- City: Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Dylan Van Rooyen
Dylan Van Rooyen, who works as a firefighter in Surrey where he was raised, was honoured with the medal for inspirational leadership demonstrated in his involvement with many organizations and events centered on helping Surrey youth and families.
His service to community includes countless hours volunteering at organizations like the Child Development Foundation of British Columbia, Tong Louie Family YMCA, Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society as a director and committee member of its charity golf tournament and Leave a Legacy group.
Through his leadership, participation and fundraising doubled for the Child Development Foundation’s Run, Walk & Roll for our Kids event, resulting in additional help for children with special needs. In nine years with the Tong Louie Family YMCA, he has led numerous charity campaigns to help families, individuals and children who do not have the means to participate in the YMCA’s services such as camps and swimming lessons, in addition to gym and facility access.
Among his many other contributions, Dylan volunteers as a delivery driver for the Snack Program, which operates in Surrey schools and brings food to children who arrive at school with no breakfast.
- Year Awarded: 2016
- City: Surrey
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
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Larry White
Larry White was honoured with the medal for the leadership and volunteer hours he has contributed to a wide range of civic, cultural, historical, outdoors, and youth organizations and activities in the Northern B.C. community.
Since moving to Tumbler Ridge with his wife Crys in 2001 his service to community and countless hours of volunteering include:
- Serving as vice-president on the Wolverine Nordic and Mountain Society, White also helps develop and maintain the ski cabin as well as hiking and cross-country trails. He led the partnership with BC Parks in Monkman Provincial Park to build backcountry trails and campsites and runs Itchy Feet, the group’s armchair travel club
- An active volunteer and director of the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation, White attended training at the Royal Tyrrell Museum to voluntarily participate in B.C.’s first dinosaur excavation and he assists his wife to run the Tumbler Ridge Archives
- For years he has been the race supervisor of the Emperor’s Challenge on Mount Babcock and the biggest off-road running event in B.C.
- A member of the Grizzly Valley Saddle Club board of director, he volunteers with trail construction and maintenance and arena maintenance and has an assistant donkey handler for many events
- He volunteers for the Tumbler Ridge Community Garden and is the president of its Board of Directors
- He volunteers for the Tumbler Ridge Community Forest and Emergency Social Services (ESS) and has been president of the library board
- The community can better serve youth through many of his efforts including fundraising for and the construction of the community skate park, obtaining the climbing wall for the teen centre, travelling to the Yukon to bring it to Tumbler Ridge and then helping train volunteers to operate the equipment and belaying of climbers, and coaching baseball and coaching and refereeing minor hockey
In addition to these contributions, Larry was involved from the onset of the drive to develop the Tumbler Ridge Aspiring Geopark, which in 2014 was designated the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark, the second Global geopark in North America. As well as being a director and past vice president of the organization, he is the Geopark’s representative on the Canadian National Committee for Geoparks and attends UNESCO Global Geoparks conferences.
While Larry is being nominated for his volunteer contributions, his professional and political careers were also spent in the service of others. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1970 to 1996, qualifying as an engineer, serving in the Persian Gulf, and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He served for three years as councillor in Tumbler Ridge, followed by three years as mayor, and served on the Board of the Peace River Regional District.
- Year Awarded: 2017
- City: Tumbler Ridge
- Region: Northern BC
Michelle Renee Wilson
Since her eldest child Tru, came out as transgender at the age of nine, Michelle Renee Wilson has been an avid advocate for trans rights and a champion for queer kids.
When Tru’s school refused to accommodate or support her transition, Ms. Wilson and her family filed a human rights complaint against the school, and the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese, for not supporting her gender identity.
In response, and after two years of mediation, in 2014 the Catholic School Board became one of the first in North America to develop a policy to support gender expression. It paved the way for other denomination-based independent schools in B.C. and across Canada to create such policies.
This opened the door to learning environments that are more inclusive to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. It also happened before the B.C. government required public schools and districts to have such policies.
Since then, Wilson spends countless volunteer hours speaking at conferences and supporting other families going through their own struggles.
She has provided numerous interviews on TV and radio, and been asked to speak at events and fundraisers in support of SOGI 1 2 3 and Out In Schools, gender conferences such as Gender Odyssey in Seattle and Proud2Be in Vancouver, teacher training sessions at UBC, and social events such as Grace Club where she shares her story of love and acceptance, reinforcing the importance of supporting queer kids.
Wilson is a board member of G_Day for Girls and Out On Screen. At every chance she encourages young people to be who they are, and parents to simply love and accept their kids. and She teaches them all that by spreading acceptance and love we can make the world better.
By setting a path toward acceptance, Wilson has been a force for the rights of transgender youth and their families.
- Year Awarded: 2019
- City: Delta
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Jody Woodford
Jody Woodford supported the community as a volunteer firefighter for 10 years prior to becoming fire department chief in 2008.
Leading up to and during the horrific historical November 2021 flooding disaster, Jody provided heroic community support and leadership to people facing life threatening situations throughout the towns of Tulameen, Coalmont and three surrounding valleys. While under supreme personal pressure regarding her own home flooding, she focused on coordinating her crew and other volunteers saving countless community members with numerous simultaneous land and water rescues.
Jody never left her post for several long weeks during the most active parts of the disaster, catching a few hours sleep at the hall when exhaustion took over, leading her crew and local residents; directing teams that later arrived from other volunteer fire departments and SARS teams to support her tireless crew. With the fire hall receiving shocked and vulnerable flood victims, some rescued by boat, ATV or who fled by swimming through flood waters at night, she immediately initiated creative sourcing for life support (clothing, medical, food, shelter) to prevent further trauma to victims.
As the full impact of the disaster is still being uncovered, Jody’s unwavering compassion and commitment to these communities has her working long days far outside her official fire department responsibilities with all levels of government and other relief agencies to help. Jody is involved in aiding overwhelmed residences isolated by road washouts, clear their homes and if salvageable, helicopter in food, medicine, diapers, animal feed, clothing, and water; as well as coordinate well water testing to prevent potentially devastating community illnesses. Though her own house was flooded, as the immediate emergency eased she selflessly helped a senior neighbour rebuild her home, before starting work to repair her own.
Jody’s demonstration of passionate, effective caring has inspired her community to pull together and actively support each other through any crisis, whether flood or fire. Jody is a dedicated, visionary community role model. She is considered by those who know her to be one of the most unselfish and caring advocates, leaders and volunteers in the province. Jody received the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers in 2016 and in 2014 she received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award for her dedication and service to the Coalmont/Tulameen Fire Department. This year, she has been chosen for the Medal of Good Citizenship.
- Year Awarded: 2022
- City: Coalmont
- Region: Thompson/Okanagan
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Jonathan Yeung
Jonathan “Bear” Yeung has actively helped his community since he was five when he started cleaning up beaches. And that was just the beginning.
In 2017 when he was seven, Jonathan and a friend helped a family in need by organizing a fundraising campaign that raised more than $20,000.
When COVID-19 first struck this community, Jonathan learned about the embattled and exhausted frontline health care workers. He responded by using his life savings of $70 to purchase healthy snacks and electrolyte drinks for the team at his local Lions Gate Hospital. When he realized the pandemic was persisting, he engaged his local community along with companies to help expand and maintain his snack drive for over a year.
When Jonathan heard about a family who was harmed following a major crash on the Sea-to-Sky Highway near his home, he wanted to help. He didn’t know the family, but knew there were two children involved, aged 10 and five. He raised $20,000 which was enough to buy a safe car for the family.
Recognizing the children being treated at B.C. Children’s Hospital were isolated from their families and friends due to strict COVID-19 visitation restrictions, Jonathan responded by starting a toy and tablet drive with a friend. Their efforts resulted in successfully collecting 159 electronic tablets, more than 1,000 new toys along with $14,000 in donations worth a combined $60,000 and delivered them in time for Christmas. In 2021, Jonathan and his friend repeated their efforts and again made their delivery before Christmas, this time with even greater success because the pair’s actions inspired more people and companies to participate.
Jonathan also provided his local police force in West Vancouver, the Vancouver Police and Transit Police with masks to protect them from COVID-19.
Now at the age of 11, Jonathan has been raising money and donations for several years and is developing a reputation of a community leader.
- Year Awarded: 2021
- City: West Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest
Terry Yung
Terry Yung was honoured with the medal for his devotion to an organization that helps create a world of multicultural harmony and helping newcomers to Canada integrate into society and fulfill their professional aspirations for success.
As one of the largest non-profit social service agencies in British Columbia, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has a mission to build bridges and foster integration through services in settlement, senior’s care, and affordable housing. Terry has been a strong supporter of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. for twenty years: first as a volunteer, then as an instructor for youth employment training and seniors’ safety programs, and most recently completing a six-year term as a board director where he chaired the Governance, Human Resources and Nominations Committees, as well as serving as vice chair.
As a dedicated individual who is committed to youth leadership development and employment training, Terry has helped youth and newcomers find employment so they could fulfill professional aspirations in their new country and become contributing Canadians.
His service to community and countless hours of volunteering include developing new and effective solutions for process improvement. As an example, he led the review of the society bylaws with the goal of increasing efficiency at the board level. In addition, during his tenure as the chair of the Governance Committee, Terry not only led recruitment for new board members based on the skill sets required, but also ensured succession planning is in place for board continuity and sustainability.
In addition to his community service to S.U.C.C.E.S.S., Terry served on the board of Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver for 13 years, and as president of the Vancouver Cambie Lions Club. Terry also volunteers on organizing committees for community events such as the annual Chinese New Year Parade. He currently sits on the Community Security Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver to build safer and more connected neighbourhoods.
Terry is a member of the Vancouver Police Department.
- Year Awarded: 2017
- City: Vancouver
- Region: Mainland/Southwest