Leslie!

On May 4th the City of North Vancouver hosted its annual celebration for the City’s Youth Awards. “The Civic Youth Awards Program recognizes youth between the ages of 10-24 years for noteworthy achievements and contributions to the community.” This year Leslie, the EGP’s Community Coordinator, won the Outstanding Supporter of Youth Award.

Here is the Mayor’s speech from the evening’s event:

“Leslie is unable to attend this evening due to her busy schedule at the Edible Garden Project. Dave Huber from North Shore Neighbourhood House will accept the award on her behalf.

As the Community Coordinator at the Edible Garden Project, Leslie was instrumental in the success of a St. Thomas Aquinas student’s work experience program this past year.  Leslie empowered Piece Burns, a recipient of this year’s Youth Recognition Award, with numerous responsibilities and placed trust in him to do his part in rebuilding a garden.  She saw Pierce for his abilities rather than his disabilities.  She formed a strong relationship with him and offered him an independent project at Queen Mary Community Garden by training and putting him in charge of adding, creating and maintaining usable compost material.  The most valuable contribution that Leslie made was to this student’s self-confidence.  The trust and responsibility she so easily gave to him helped him mature both as an employee and young man.  She is responsible for both the empowerment of this young man and the enrichment of the community he is a part of through increasing food security on the North Shore.”

Congratulations Leslie! And thank you to St. Thomas Aquinas for connecting us with Pierce, and Pierce for his amazing work and contributions to our compost system!