Skills Society 2023 Citizenship & Education Award Winners
Skills Society congratulates the winners of the 2023 Skills Society Citizenship and Education Awards!
Mike receiving the Engaged Citizenship Award.
Skills Society Citizenship Awards
At Skills Society supporting people to be valued citizens is at the heart of what we do, and we want to recognize and celebrate the efforts of individuals and organizations in our community who are working towards our shared vision of a community where everyone is valued and belongs. The Skills Society Citizenship Awards recognize individuals and organizations who are contributing to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community.
Engaged Citizenship Award
The Engaged Citizenship Award is given to an individual supported by Skills Society whose actions demonstrate active participation in their community and efforts towards contributing to and fostering a vibrant community.
Winner - Mike Balaban
Mike was nominated for his contributions and efforts in making his community a welcoming place. Mike is an engaged citizen who goes above and beyond in knowing his community and its members - frequently connecting with his neighbours and people in the community, including regularly participating in a seniors coffee group and helping the local flower shop by collecting newspapers for their arrangements. Mike prides himself on staying informed about local news and developments in his community and sharing information about available opportunities and activities with his neighbours. Kind, curious and easygoing, Mike embodies the qualities of a good neighbour, contributing to making his community a vibrant and welcoming place.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award is given to a Skills Society employee or volunteer who demonstrates leadership in the pursuit of our shared vision of a community where all individuals are valued citizens deserving respect, dignity, and rights.
Winner - Yodit Wedaj
Yodit was nominated for her demonstrated leadership in supporting the engaged citizenship of people with disabilities. She is a caring, reflective, and empathetic individual, known for being an active listener and treating everyone with dignity and respect. Yodit excels at building trusting relationships with both the people she supports and her team. Driven by the vision and core values of Skills Society, Yodit collaboratively works with her team to support the people we serve to lead meaningful lives in community, and she consistently acknowledges and values her team members’ contributions to this vision. As a leader, Yodit celebrates diversity in the workplace, creating opportunities for her team to share their cultural backgrounds and traditions.
Community Belonging Award
The Community Belonging Award is given to a business, community organization, or group whose actions support the inclusion and belonging of people with developmental disabilities.
Winner - Edmonton Community Foundation
The Edmonton Community Foundation was nominated for its enduring commitment to community building, visionary leadership, and its role in connecting donors and local charities who are advancing equity and using innovative approaches to tackle complex challenges in our community. ECF has been an active participant and financial supporter of innovative, community-driven initiatives within our city, in particular supporting the belongingness of people with developmental disabilities and reducing racism at both systemic and everyday levels.
Honorable Mention - Alberta Municipalities
Alberta Municipalities was nominated for their actions taken to build an inclusive work environment for an employee with developmental disability. Alberta Municipalities initiated changes in their physical work environment and workplace practices to support the inclusion, dignity, and belonging of employees who experience disability.
Skills Society Employee Education Awards
In 2022 Skills Society launched the Skills Society Employee Education Awards with the purpose of fostering leadership development by supporting employees in participating in formal post-secondary education programs that further their learning and growth in the field of disability studies and/or leadership. With an aim of equity, half of all Employee Education Awards are reserved for employees who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC). Skills Society values diversity, equity, and social justice. As part of this value we strive to boost and support BIPOC leaders within our community, continue to learn and work together on anti-racist allyship, and actively participate in systems change initiatives.
2023 Award Winners
Kereng receiving the Skills Society Education Award.
Esther Numfor Abongwi
Award supports their pursuit of a Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation, Carleton University
Kereng Motlhale
Award supports their Social Service Worker Professional Program, CDI College
Sonia Iweriebor
Award supports their pursuit of Bachelor of Science of Nursing, MacEwan University
Sukaina Lila
Award supports their pursuit of the Health Care Aide Certificate, Makami College