Recognition for efforts to reduce poverty, improve economic security
The Valley Food Bank in Woodstock is among the organizations honoured with the first Economic and Social Inclusion Awards, presented Friday, Oct. 16, during a virtual ceremony.
Thirty-seven awards were presented to individuals and organizations across New Brunswick for their efforts to reduce poverty, improve economic security and access to opportunities and services, strengthen community well-being, and reduce stigma associated with poverty.
“These recipients are making a meaningful difference in communities across New Brunswick through practical action and strong partnerships,” said Social Development Minister Cindy Miles, who is also minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation. “Their work helps to ease the pressures of the cost of living, strengthen financial security and create opportunities for people to move forward. Improving affordability means helping New Brunswickers meet their everyday needs and fully participate in their communities.”
The ceremony was held on the eve of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on Oct. 17.
“Many of the most effective initiatives to address poverty begin locally, with people who understand the needs of their communities and work together to address them,” said Jean Allain, co-chair of the corporation’s board of directors. “These awards recognize the people, organizations and businesses across New Brunswick who put their local knowledge into practical action.”
The awards recognized recipients in four categories: citizens, non-profits, businesses, and government.
This year’s recipients are:
Citizens
· Kate Akagi (posthumously), Saint Andrews
· Suzane Arsenault, Caraquet
· Seth Asimakos, Saint John
· Sylvia Bernard, Tracadie
· Ghislain Bossé, Edmundston
· Sarah Sandrine Bouchard-Cormier, Caraquet
· Leigh Zachary Bursey, Miramichi
· Jean Frigault, Moncton
· Carl Killam, Three Rivers (Harewood district)
· Cédric Landry, Caraquet
· Joceline and Guy Léger, Quispamsis
· Barbara Losier, Caraquet (Landry Office district)
· Debbie McInnis, Moncton
· Marie Michèle Michon, Caraquet
· Yesha Pandya, Moncton
· Chantal Richardson, Caraquet
· Kelly Taylor, Beausoleil (Grande-Digue district)
· Nadine Villegas, Moncton
Non-profits
· Bathurst HumanKind Network, Bathurst
· Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee, Moncton
· Pays de Cocagne Sustainable Development Group, Beausoleil (Cocagne district)
· Moncton Cares / Ketan Raval, Moncton
· Regroupement des organismes communautaires de Saint-Quentin, Saint-Quentin
· Secours-Amitié, Île-de-Lamèque (Haut-Lamèque district)
· Shelter Movers, Moncton
· Sistema New Brunswick, Moncton
· Staff and volunteers of Harvest House Atlantic, Moncton
· Valley Food Bank, Woodstock
· We Believe, Saint John
Businesses
· Dave Brown, Tracadie
· Myriane Ouellette, Moncton
Government
· City of Dieppe – Free Bus for Youth Program, Dieppe
· City of Fredericton – Transit Fare Assistance Program, Fredericton
· Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Fredericton
· Miramichi Transit – Affordable transit fare initiatives, Miramichi
· Codiac Transpo – Inclusive fare programs, Moncton
· Saint John Transit – Accessible fare initiatives, Saint John
The Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation is a Crown corporation that leads the implementation of Overcoming Poverty Together, New Brunswick’s economic and social inclusion plan. The corporation works with citizens, non-profit organizations, businesses, and government to reduce poverty and improve New Brunswickers’ economic and social well-being. The plan renews every five years, and the current one runs from 2025-30.
