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Fred Lee's Social Community: Mission Attainable's gala celebrates Downtown Eastside success tales

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Fred Lee’s weekly take a look at the movers and shakers round Metro Vancouver

Printed Dec 14, 2019  •  Final up to date Dec 14, 2019  •  4 minute learn

Sunrise Soya Foods owners Peter and Shirley Joe, longtime champions, benefactors and employers of Mission Possible grads, were recipients of the Impact Business Partner of the Year Award.
Dawn Soya Meals homeowners Peter and Shirley Joe, longtime champions, benefactors and employers of Mission Attainable grads, had been recipients of the Impression Enterprise Accomplice of the 12 months Award. Picture by Fred Lee

MEANINGFUL WORK: Based in 1992, Mission Attainable has been serving to people in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside challenged by poverty, homelessness, dependancy and different obstacles get again on their ft.

Via its employment readiness and social enterprise packages, the non-profit has been serving to individuals expertise a way of dignity and goal by way of significant work. To offer extra people the chance for purposeful employment, the registered charity not too long ago held its annual Mission Attainable vacation hootenanny.

This 12 months’s gala theme was Previous Hollywood, and lots of glammed it up for the red-carpet paparazzi, numerous pictures and night time of philanthropy.

Staged on the Fairmont Waterfront Lodge Vancouver, some 350 friends got here out to listen to inspiring tales of transformation, bid on distinctive reside and silent public sale gadgets, buy Christmas crackers full of prizes and revel in a scrumptious three-course dinner, all whereas celebrating the superb achievements of program contributors, each previous and current.

Previous to the night time of giving, get together friends raised a glass to Mission Attainable’s rising efforts to create jobs that result in lasting change. From MP Upkeep, a panorama and upkeep service, to MP Neighbours, an revolutionary program for Downtown Eastside residents to be educated as safety personnel to care for his or her neighbourhood, the agency’s social enterprises pave the best way for extra individuals to maneuver into employment.

Event chair Jasmine Allen and Virgin Radio’s Drew Savage fronted the 11th Mission Possible Gala at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver.
Occasion chair Jasmine Allen and Virgin Radio’s Drew Savage fronted the eleventh Mission Attainable Gala on the Fairmont Waterfront Lodge in Vancouver. Picture by Fred Lee

Attendees additionally toasted six people, recipients of the humanitarian company’s Momentum Awards which might be given to alumni who’ve demonstrated braveness, dedication and religion in overcoming nice challenges and adversity, rising from life’s challenges with energy and stability. Feted this 12 months had been John Barbour, Thomas Gibbons, Catherine Shimizu, Alexandre Nadon, Lorenzo Watters and Michael Wielgosh.

Dawn Soya Meals homeowners Peter and Shirley Joe, a longtime champion, benefactor and employer of MP grads, had been recipients of the Impression Enterprise Accomplice of the 12 months Award. The awards had been offered by occasion emcee Drew Savage from Virgin Radio and Mission Attainable CEO Matt Smedley.

The six tales of success impressed everybody within the room to provide. From a silent and reside public sale that included a Yukon journey and luxurious Okanagan escape to a spirited paddle increase, there have been loads of alternatives to help. By night’s finish, organizers had been assured of assembly and or exceeding final 12 months’s $190,000 fundraising customary to help Mission Attainable’s ever-expanding employment efforts.

Rev. Lori Ward and CEO Matt Smedley shared the history and work of Mission Possible in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to some 350 guests that attended the firm’s flagship fundraiser.
Rev. Lori Ward and CEO Matt Smedley shared the historical past and work of Mission Attainable in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to some 350 friends that attended the agency’s flagship fundraiser. Picture by Fred Lee

“This 12 months we’re celebrating 10 years of social enterprise impression and success in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighborhood,” stated Smedley.

“Due to the rising help and demand of our companies, we’re shifting into a brand new constructing within the spring of 2020, getting ready for the launch of a girls’s observe in our employment readiness program and making a human sources guidebook for the rising employment companions wanting to rent our graduates.”

Honourees Alexandre Nadon, Catherine Shimizu and Michael Wielgosh were feted for their courage, determination and faith in overcoming great challenges and adversity.
Honourees Alexandre Nadon, Catherine Shimizu and Michael Wielgosh had been feted for his or her braveness, dedication and religion in overcoming nice challenges and adversity. Picture by Fred Lee
Momentum Award recipients Lorenzo Walters, John Barbour and Thomas Gibbons credit their success to Mission Possible’s ongoing efforts to lift up people in the country’s poorest neighbourhood.
Momentum Award recipients Lorenzo Walters, John Barbour and Thomas Gibbons credit score their success to Mission Attainable’s ongoing efforts to carry up individuals within the nation’s poorest neighbourhood. Picture by Fred Lee
Gala-goers Joel Smith, Camilla Tibbs and Darcy Greiner were among patrons supporting Mission Possible’s efforts to transform lives in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside through meaningful work.
Gala-goers Joel Smith, Camilla Tibbs and Darcy Greiner had been amongst patrons supporting Mission Attainable’s efforts to rework lives in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside by way of significant work. Picture by Fred Lee
Champions of Mission Possible’s MP Maintenance Program is Townhall Brands’ Leeann Froese and Andre von Rosen.
Champions of Mission Attainable’s MP Upkeep Program is Townhall Manufacturers’ Leeann Froese and Andre von Rosen. Picture by Fred Lee

WAMS energy lunch

KICKING MS: Soccer phenom Christine Sinclair was the particular visitor on the annual Ladies Towards A number of Sclerosis (WAMS) luncheon. The three-time Olympian and Canadian girls’s nationwide soccer workforce captain joined some 350 friends for the ability lunch held on the Fairmont Lodge Vancouver.

Created 5 years in the past, the occasion brings collectively a robust community of businesswomen from all sectors to assist construct consciousness and lift vital analysis funds to finish MS.

Canada reportedly has one of many highest charges of MS on the planet, and ladies get MS 3 times extra usually than males.

Dr. Pam Valentine, president and CEO of the MS Society of Canada, recognized soccer phenom and MS champion Christine Sinclair as its 2019 Women Against MS honouree.
Dr. Pam Valentine, president and CEO of the MS Society of Canada, acknowledged soccer phenom and MS champion Christine Sinclair as its 2019 Ladies Towards MS honouree. Picture by Fred Lee

It’s a trigger near Sinclair’s coronary heart, as her mom Sandi was recognized with MS greater than 30 years in the past. In honour of her mom and the opposite 77,000 Canadians residing with MS, Sinclair has been an outspoken MS champion rallying Canadians to return collectively to assist discover a approach to beat the neurological illness.

“When you find yourself a child, your mother and father are indestructible, and that was what my mother was to me. Indestructible,” stated Sinclair. “However as years glided by, I watched MS chip away at facets of her life, and her battle in opposition to the power illness turned extra strenuous.”

Seeing what her mother went by way of, Sinclair was impressed to become involved with the MS Society of Canada and associated fundraising efforts. Since launching in Vancouver in 2015, the WAMS luncheon has raised over $500,000 for a brand new technology of ground-breaking Canadian researchers working to discover a treatment for a number of sclerosis. Sinclair and others helped add one other $179,000 to its tally following the afternoon of networking, storytelling and fundraising.

Tania Vrionis, MS Society president, B.C. and Yukon Division, and Cindy Elliott, WAMS cabinet chair, led this year’s Women Against Multiple Sclerosis (WAMS) Luncheon at the Hotel Vancouver.
Tania Vrionis, MS Society president, B.C. and Yukon Division, and Cindy Elliott, WAMS cupboard chair, led this 12 months’s Ladies Towards A number of Sclerosis (WAMS) Luncheon on the Lodge Vancouver. Picture by Fred Lee
Accompanied by Helijet’s Jay Minter, Faimont Hotel staffer Tracey Curtis attended the annual WAMS charity luncheon in support of her good friend and colleague Jodi Francks who, along with some 77,000 Canadians, live with MS.
Accompanied by Helijet’s Jay Minter, Faimont Lodge staffer Tracey Curtis attended the annual WAMS charity luncheon in help of her good good friend and colleague Jodi Francks who, together with some 77,000 Canadians, reside with MS. Picture by Fred Lee
Guest speaker Zahra Al-Harazi (left) with WAMS luncheon committee member Tracey Freseda. Al-Harazi’s story of resilience and entrepreneurship helped contribute to a $179,000 haul for the MS Society of Canada. Proceeds will support vital MS research.
Visitor speaker Zahra Al-Harazi (left) with WAMS luncheon committee member Tracey Freseda. Al-Harazi’s story of resilience and entrepreneurship helped contribute to a $179,000 haul for the MS Society of Canada. Proceeds will help important MS analysis. Picture by Fred Lee

Kettle kickoff

JINGLE BELLS: The Salvation Military’s Christmas Kettle is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most recognizable vacation symbols, and The Hope within the Metropolis Breakfast kicked off the social service company’s annual vacation marketing campaign.

For the 18th consecutive 12 months, town’s enterprise neighborhood got here collectively within the early hours of the morning to ring within the season, increase funds and rejoice the work of the Salvation Military.

Lt. Colonel Jamie Braund, B.C. Divisional Commander, Canada Huge Publishing CEO Peter Legge and Kingswood Capital Corp. president Joe Segal fronted the Scotiabank-sponsored morning luau.

Salvation Army Lt. Colonel Jamie Braund (left) and Canada Wide Publishing CEO Peter Legge welcomed Dragons’ Den personality, entrepreneur and keynote speaker Arlene Dickinson to this year’s Hope in the City Vancouver Breakfast at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Salvation Military Lt. Colonel Jamie Braund (left) and Canada Huge Publishing CEO Peter Legge welcomed Dragons’ Den persona, entrepreneur and keynote speaker Arlene Dickinson to this 12 months’s Hope within the Metropolis Vancouver Breakfast on the Vancouver Conference Centre. Picture by Fred Lee

Set in opposition to the backdrop of town’s conference centre, the occasion featured a hearty breakfast, keynote tackle by Dragons’ Den persona and entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson plus an impressed story of triumph and perseverance from Iain and Darcy Anderson, recipients of the Salvation Military’s Hero of Hope Award.

Whereas combating their very own private demons, the Andersons discovered help and refuge on the Salvation Military. Additionally they discovered employment and one another on the agency whereas serving to others. Their story of hope and achievement would compel attendees to open their hearts and their wallets. Earlier than the gathering’s 9 a.m. conclusion, the seasonal soiree was reportedly on observe to boost $400,000.

Internet proceeds will help some 50 ministries throughout the province feed, dress and shelter B.C.’s most weak. Final 12 months, an estimated 1.7 million individuals had been helped by the Salvation Military, due to the generosity of British Columbians.

Recipients of the Hero of Hope Award, Iain and Darcy Anderson’s story of triumph and perseverance inspired a morning of charitable giving.
Recipients of the Hero of Hope Award, Iain and Darcy Anderson’s story of triumph and perseverance impressed a morning of charitable giving. Picture by Fred Lee
Daryl Dunn, vice-president commercial banking, and Tamara Van Der Brink, regional vice-president of Scotiabank, sponsored the 18th annual Hope in the City breakfast. The event looked to raise $400,000 to kick start the Salvation Army’s annual holiday campaign.
Daryl Dunn, vice-president industrial banking, and Tamara Van Der Brink, regional vice-president of Scotiabank, sponsored the 18th annual Hope within the Metropolis breakfast. The occasion regarded to boost $400,000 to kick begin the Salvation Military’s annual vacation marketing campaign. Picture by Fred Lee

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Originally posted 2019-12-14 19:00:51.

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