David Pecaut - David Pecaut is the driving force behind the Toronto City Summit Alliance, a coalition of civic leaders whose mission is to restore economic and social development in Toronto. The Alliance's 2003 report, Enough Talk, provided a comprehensive action plan for much that ails the region. Since its publication, David has put his energy into mobilizing the region to act through co-founding the Toront03 Alliance for tourism recovery post-SARS; the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council; the Toronto Region Research Alliance; the Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force; and the Task Force on Modernizing Income Security. David has taken his passion for the community and Canada to the national stage founding and chairing the Canadian E Business Roundtable; co-founding Career Edge, the national youth internship program; serving on the Prime Minister's External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities; and Co-Chairing the Conference Board Roundtable on Commercialization. It's no surprise that David is just as energetic in business as in his volunteer activities. He co-founded the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Canada and as a senior partner of BCG his advice is sought in Canada and abroad. David's newest endeavour is co-founding and chairing the Boreal Institute for Civil Society at the Munk Centre at the University of Toronto. The Boreal Institute is focused on convening all partners in society private, public, and non-profit - to tackle major social and economic issues.

YMCA of Greater Toronto - As one of the largest and longest lasting strongholds of community life, the YMCA is known as a welcoming haven for virtually anyone whether in need or transition, in despair or loss, whether a newcomer or long-time resident, the young, the elderly, or everywhere in between. If someone is looking for a leg up, this charity is constantly adapting and reinventing itself to meet the social needs within Canada's most diverse community. It provides a myriad of services, including language and skills training, career and employment counseling, childcare, health, fitness and recreation programs, and support networks. Throughout its 150-year history, the YMCA has been a mainstay for hundreds of thousands of Canadians, and now serves at 220 locations across the GTA. The YMCA and its many thousand volunteers also personify "leadership" through their commitment to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Caring, Health, Honesty, Inclusiveness, Respect and Responsibility: these values underpin the YMCA of Greater Toronto, an organization where people still come first and quality of life is foremost. Visit www.ymcatoronto.ca or call (416) 928-6690 for more information.

YMCA of Greater Toronto

ymcatoronto.org

The Greenbelt Task Force (GTF) - Chair: Mayor Rob MacIsaac - The 13-member GTF has shown outstanding leadership by developing the safeguards necessary to preserve 1.8 million acres of forest, natural lands and farmland within one of Canada's most densely populated regions, the Golden Horseshoe. The Task Force's recommendations comprise the Ontario government's new Greenbelt Protection Plan (GPP) that will have a lasting impact on the environment, business, industry, tourism and recreation. It follows many years of tremendous effort by dedicated individuals and community groups. The establishment of the Greenbelt is indeed the work of many hands. The Task Force volunteers are to be commended for their tremendous gift of time and expertise for it took months of research and deliberation, public consultation with 1200 people and the review of more than 1000 submissions from numerous stakeholders within the region. Some of the key recommendations in the GPP include taking an ecosystem approach, preserving finite resources such as farmland and mineral aggregate deposits, putting more emphasis on public transit, and using innovative design. The report also recommends establishing the appropriate legal framework and infrastructure. Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac chaired the Task Force with extraordinary skill and insight with the support and encouragement from the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Other members included Michael Bunce, Jim Faught, Mary Lou Garr, Natalie Helferty, Carol Hochu, Fraser Nelson, Rod Northey, Russ Powell, Deborah Schulte, David J. Stewart, Alan C. Veale and Donald J.P. Ziraldo.

Eva's Initiatives - Founded in 1994, Eva's Initiatives works collaboratively with homeless and at-risk youth to help them reach their potential. Eva's has already made everyday life easier for some 15,000 young people. Its work includes operating three shelters. With 40 beds, Eva's Satellite is the only harm reduction shelter for homeless youth in Ontario. With 50 beds, Eva's Phoenix provides shelter and a transitional program that also trains and employs 100 homeless and at-risk youth each year. With 32 beds, Eva's Place is an emergency shelter. It is also home of the innovative Family Reconnect Program, which assists youth and their families to resolve issues and reconnect with each other - when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Eva's Initiatives has won many awards for its innovative approaches. Most recently, it received the 2005 Harry Jerome award for Community Service Organization, and an award for Best Practice in Affordable Housing by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In addition to helping at-risk youth to lead productive lives, Eva's mission is to develop and implement innovative and effective approaches that will result in long-term solutions. Eva's is tireless in its efforts to get these vulnerable youth off the streets. The proof of its success is in the words of a former Eva's client: "They saw opportunities ahead of me...They saw potential for achievements that I had stopped allowing myself to even dream about...I saw with my very eyes that success and a measure of happiness in life is entirely possible and achievable through goal setting and hard work." For more information, visit www.evasinitiatives.com or call (416) 977-4497.

Pathways to Education Program - Born from the vision of the Regent Park Community Health Centre, The Pathways to Education Program TM provides at-risk, economically disadvantaged high school students from one of Canada's most impoverished communities with the inspiration and ability to stay in school, succeed in school, graduate and seek post-secondary education and thereby realize the potential for higher incomes and a better way of life. Developed and implemented by the Health Centre's Executive Director, Carolyn Acker, Pathways is comprised of four comprehensive, rigorously monitored supports: academic, financial, social and advocacy. These include tutoring, mentoring and specialty mentoring, earned transit tickets, and bursaries. Pathways also fosters improved parent, student, school and community relationships. Prior to Pathways, the high school dropout rate in Regent Park was 56 percent. Absenteeism among the 618 kids that are enrolled has been dramatically reduced by more than 50 percent and there has been a 30 percent drop in the number of students most academically at-risk. On average, Pathways' students are achieving more credits than their peers at the same high schools in English, Science and Mathematics. Pathways is "one of the most important and effective initiatives Toronto has ever seen...that is clearly altering the life chances of young people who would otherwise be in dire straits," said Douglas and Ruth Grant in support of the nomination.

The Horizons Program - At a time when young inner-city students aged 6 to 14 are the most vulnerable, the Horizons Program is addressing their need to have educational support and to gain the crucial confidence necessary for future success. To many, this support can mean the difference between staying in school and dropping out. A unique collaboration between Upper Canada College (UCC), and the Toronto District and Catholic school boards, the Horizons Program creates an important network of support for some of Toronto's most needy students. The program, which combines year-round tutoring, mentoring and a four-week summer academic enrichment program, emphasizes the importance of learning as a means to a better future. For over five years, Horizons has played an extraordinary, transformative role in the lives of all those involved. For more information, contact Ajike Akande, Director of the Horizons Program at Upper Canada College at (416) 488-1125, ext. 2295.

The Carpenters' Local Union 27 Joint Apprenticeship & Training Trust Fund Inc. (TTF) - In what seems like a perpetual economic crunch, the resources for youth and individuals at risk in our cities are stretched far too thin. To address this, since 1986, the TTF has been creating new ways and means for young people to beat the odds and to secure future employment. Take the new San Ramano Way Project that recently trained 11 at-risk youth living in the Jane Finch community. Sponsored by the Central Ontario Regional Council of Carpenters, Drywall and Allied Workers, and the YMCA, these young people were given the skills to apprentice with a local contractor. "It's the first step to getting where we want to get," said Jameil Walters, one of the trainees. The TTF has established various programs and partnerships that provide carpentry-related apprenticeships, health and safety programs, and journey-worker upgrading courses. The most notable is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program that has provided a seamless school-to-work transition for more than 200 high school students since the program began five years ago. For more information, contact Eddie Thornton at (905) 652-5506, ext. 234.

City Youth
Outstanding contributions to any aspect of the public realm made by individuals under age 30.

Kehinde Bah - Tuned in...tapped in...and turned on. These describe 25-year-old Kehinde Bah who from age 14 has been known as a "local dynamo" for his work as a grassroots social and political activist on behalf of youth. Kehinde's collective efforts prove the power of one - whether he is fighting against racism, ageism, discrimination and anti-violence or kick-starting youth voter drives. A dynamic speaker, he is impassioned about youth issues having served on the Toronto Youth Cabinet since 2001 and more recently, working for the Play Works Partnership, a group concerned about access to youth recreational opportunities and programs. No wonder that Kehinde has attracted attention at City Hall where he serves on the Mayor's community safety panel. He is a model for others, inspired by the belief that anyone can realize his or her own place, and find a voice, within the public realm. Kehinde encourages, inspires and mentors many young people who count it a privilege to know or have worked with this urban leader. He is now Program Associate at the Laidlaw Foundation. For more information, contact Kehinde Bah at (416) 964-3614 ext. 306.

Rahul Raj - The résumé of Rahul Raj is a testament to this leader's drive and ambition to make the world better. During his university years, he was compelled with the belief that young people truly did care beyond themselves. From that belief, Meal Exchange was born: a novel and never-tried approach to hunger that enables thousands of students to donate funds from their university meal plans to purchase food for people in need. The burgeoning initiative then spread quickly across Canada into a federation of 52 post-secondary campuses with annual donations of $500,000. It has expanded internationally, involving both the for-profit and the not-for-profit sectors. Maclean's described the Meal Exchange as "one of the most creative non-profits in Canada," and Time magazine has called it "revolutionary." Today, Rahul is in charge of another first, the creation of a Social Change practice for a leading marketing and branding firm in Toronto. His intent is to enable governments, businesses and NGOs to influence social behaviour, such as increasing condom usage in Africa. For more information, contact Rahul Raj at (416) 703-7373.

Angus Armstrong - Among the many accomplishments of this high profile former officer of the Toronto Harbour Police Marine Unit, Angus is most noted for the urban water safety program that he helped found. When he began with the Marine Unit in the early 80s, the Unit faced the challenge of teaching inner city and urban youth about ice and fast water safety on Lake Ontario and the surrounding rivers and streams. Angus wondered how he could make kids understand the safety concerns arising from ice, storm sewer runoff, road salt and pollution, which often make it impossible to predict danger. He began by teaching about safety and about self-rescue techniques in at-risk schools surrounding the Don and Humber rivers, and Black Creek. His message: No ice is safe! Renowned for his media savvy, Angus then took this vital and life-saving message to the broader community. Many of us will recall his routine appearances on TV each winter. Today, Angus is just as concerned for new Canadians who may not be familiar with urban water safety or who are new to boating in an urban setting. Thanks to him, and to the ongoing efforts of the Marine Unit, lives are being saved and protected. To contact Angus Armstrong call (416) 863-2026.

Angus Armstrong

torontopolice.on.ca\marine
torontoport.com

Staff Sergeant Heinz Kuck - As a signpost of urban decay, youth discord and physical disorder, graffiti vandalism had reached intolerable levels by the year 2000. This challenged the Toronto Police Service to seek an effective way to deal with the problem. Staff Sergeant Heinz Kuck took on that challenge, resulting in Canada's most successful graffiti eradication program. With the help of 16 Divisional coordinators and thousands of volunteers, Heinz has been able to reclaim more than 450,000 square feet of vandalized surfaces. Locally, more than 557 charges have been laid and 375 vandals have been arrested. Through his public education campaign, more than 3.5 million Canadians have learned how to abate the problem of graffiti. A tribute from former Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien, commended Heinz for his invaluable contributions. "As a result of your successful leadership and dedication to eliminating urban graffiti in your area through education, empowerment, enforcement, eradication and economic development, you have helped to enhance the quality of life in the City of Toronto." Heinz Kuck has also earned kudos from Rudy Guiliani, former Mayor of New York City, from others in the public sector and from private citizens. To contact Staff Sergeant Kuck call (416) 808-5354.

Vern Harper - Vern Harper triumphed over adversity. In his younger days, he went through abuse and isolation, which ultimately led him into drugs and alcohol addiction. Since his recovery, he has become a highly recognized and respected Urban Elder to the Aboriginal people of Toronto, a spiritual mentor and counsellor. Vern has made it a habit to build bridges and foster understanding between his people and non-Aboriginal people. An engaging storyteller, he continually brings to life the traditions and ways of the past for the next generation. As ambassador for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Vern recently traveled to Mexico City in a cultural exchange between Aboriginal medicine people and healers. In 2004, his travels took him to Korea as Elder from the Native Canadian Center to the world martial arts competition. While there, he also paid tribute to fellow veterans of the Korean War, in which he served as a combat paratrooper with the 82nd airborne division. In his leadership role, Vern also acts as the Resident Elder to the independent Toronto Métis Council. He appears each year at Louis Riel Day at Toronto City Hall and makes numerous other public appearances. Vern now serves as Chairperson of Akwa Honsta Inc. that provides rent-assisted housing to the native community. To contact Vern Harper, please call (416) 264-4211.

© Matthew Wiley
Vern Harper

camh.net

Glynis Logue - Through a career in Landscape Architecture, Glynis has become a well-known community leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability in the city of Guelph. Just two of her high profile built projects include the Guelph Enabling Garden, a community space for teaching therapeutic gardening skills, habitat restoration and recycling, plus the West Harbour Waterfront Trail in Hamilton. This latter project involved the design of a near-shore wetland, underway reef system, multi-purpose shoreline trail, and vegetated islands along a two-kilometre stretch of Lake Ontario. Glynis has also designed and built a series of ponds to restore amphibian populations (said to be one of the largest of its kind in Canada) for the Hickory Valley Rehabilitation in Cootes Paradise Marsh as well as the Brant Inn Node wetland-planting project in Burlington. Winner of numerous national and local awards, Glynis continues to champion the cause of environmental sustainability as executive director and co-founder of Guelph Environmental Leadership. "Glynis has shown a special range of skills in dealing with people of all ages, social groups and public agencies," says board member, R. Stephen Rodd. "Part of that skill is the willingness to accept and balance the priorities of other groups in order to pursue the broader goals for the community and the general good." To contact Guelph Environmental Leadership, call (519) 763-7510 or visit their website at www.guelphenvironmentalleadership.ca

John Gardiner - The underlying premise of John Gardiner's weekly radio show and web-based newspaper, cktimes.ca is that everyone benefits when the news is good! That's why he is bringing positive, upbeat news stories about local individuals and service clubs to the people of Chatham Kent in southwestern Ontario. "I run cktimes.ca to prove a point," says John. "That right thinking people will seek out and read a product that is only good news." John provides what he calls an "unbalanced" picture of the news by "leaving out all the bad stuff"! His message strikes a chord for the volunteer columnists that John has recruited and by the number of hits per month to his website. John says that he is considering going national because "spreading good cheer is what the world needs right now." A musician and arts advocate, John is an executive member of the Wallaceburg and District Arts Council and is creator of the Glass Onion Folk Club. He is a 28-year veteran of the newspaper business and a prolific author, speaker and teacher. John's passion is moralistic short fiction for which he has been lauded on CTV's Bob Mclean Show, on CBC Radio and in The Globe and Mail. To contact John Gardiner, visit www.cktimes.ca

John Gardiner

cktimes.ca

Brad Ross - Kingston's First Capital Challenge (FCC) has been the springboard for nine new businesses since entrepreneur and private investor, Brad Ross, founded the business plan competition in 2002. The $50,000 grand prize is comparable to North America's leading business plan competitions such as at MIT where Brad completed an MBA. He began by inviting other members of the community to underwrite the prize, which is open to anyone anywhere interested in establishing a business in Kingston, Ontario. Corporate sponsorships cover the cost of running the largely volunteer organization. Entries have come from across Canada, the US and as far away as the Philippines. Winners in the first two years are: Kingston Metals & Materials, one of the few companies in the world that can produce high purity metals to the increasingly strict requirements of the semiconductor industry; and LifeStream, Canada's second animal blood bank, serving the booming market in veterinary medicine. Kingston mayor Harvey Rosen says the FCC has created "fresh enthusiasm and energy for entrepreneurship in Kingston." Gratifying to Brad Ross, chair of First Capital Challenge, is the level of community support, both financially and through mentoring, for the next generation of entrepreneurs. To contact Brad Ross or for more on the competition, visit www.FirstCapitalChallenge.com

Brad Ross

firstcapitalchallenge.com