Pillar awards: And the nominees are . . .
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The London Muslim Mosque – in the headlines this summer after a hit-and-run that left four members of the same Muslim family dead – is among the organizations and individuals named as finalists for the annual Pillar Community Innovation Awards, which honour those who work to make the region a better place.
The mosque, which held a vigil for the four members of the Afzaal family in June after they were struck by a pickup June 6 in what London police say was a hate-motivated attack, is nominated in the innovation category for its community support program.
The program provides help for families in need with outstanding bills, one-time expenses and food vouchers.
Also among the finalists are Leroy Hibbert, described in a citation as “a trusted advisor and advocate for the local Black community,” as well as Elyssa Rose, who leads the anti-human trafficking initiative at Atlohsa Family Healing Services, and Robert’s Ideal Giveaway, which is a partnership between Ideal Way and Catholic Central secondary school.
Four of the categories — innovation, leadership, impact, and collaboration — have three finalists apiece.
All of the nominees are automatically eligible for the fifth category, community choice, the winner of which is picked by the public.
The awards will be handed out on Nov. 18. As it was last year, this year’s ceremony will take place virtually. The event will be co-chaired by Saidat Vandenberg and Emily Strybosch and will feature a performance by vocalist Travae Williams.
Each person selected for an award will get $2,000 to be donated to the registered charity of their choice, and will have their names engraved on the plaque outside the London Public Library’s central branch.
The awards have been given out annually since 2006. Pillar calls them “the biggest storytelling event for the social-impact sector” in the country.
This will be the first round of awards for Mojdeh Cox, who took over as head of Pillar in April, replacing Michelle Baldwin. Pillar is an umbrella organization that supports more than 600 non-profits in Southwestern Ontario.
All non-profits, charities, individuals, businesses, social enterprises, education or government-sector organizations that have an impact on the region are eligible to be nominated.
The finalists:
Community Innovation
- Food Bruce Grey, United Way Owen Sound
- London Muslim Mosque community support program
- YMCA of Southwestern Ontario
Community Leadership
- Jyoti Vaidya
- Leroy Hibbert
- Sarah Lehman
Community Impact
- Elyssa Rose, Okaadenige program, Atlohsa Family Healing Services
- Samanta Krishnapillai, The On Canada Project
- Carol Walters, Alzheimer’s Society Southwest Partners
Community Collaboration
- COVID care kits: Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre, Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre, Youth For Christ London
- Health Outreach Mobile Engagement (H.O.M.E): London InterCommunity Health Centre, Middlesex London Paramedic Service, Regional HIV AIDS Connection, Addiction Services of Thames Valley, London Cares Homeless Response Services
- Robert’s Ideal Giveaway: Ideal Way, Catholic Central secondary school
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