The SARC Awards

The SARC Awards honour diversity and inclusion in the disability service sector.

The SARC Awards are an opportunity for SARC Members to shine the spotlight on the people they support or organizations they partner with who are committed to community development and inclusive employment.

The SARC Awards honour people from across the province.

Every summer, SARC staff travel to recipients’ communities to create honourary videos that highlight the exceptional accomplishments, a profound journey, impressive skills, an incredible work ethic, community development, and voluntary commitments.

At the annual SARC Awards Banquet, recipients are presented with their awards in front of family, friends, SARC Members, government dignitaries, and special guests.

The 2023 SARC Award Recipients Are

The Good Neighbour Award

The Good Neighbour Award recognizes a person who makes a difference in their community through their contribution or volunteer efforts.

Meet the 2023 Good Neighbour Award Recipient!

Introducing this year’s Good Neighbour Award recipient, Stephen Moleski. Stephen lives in Regina and loves to connect with others within his community through volunteering and his workplace. Stephen is very dedicated to serving others in any way he can and is proud of the work he does in his community. Stephen gives back by volunteering at the Terry Fox Foundation and other volunteer opportunities as they are available to him. These volunteer opportunities have helped build his confidence in obtaining employment.

He always fills us up with, like, little warm fuzzies. He makes sure that every single person here knows how important they are to him.

Diandra Nicolson – Regina, SK

Nothing is going to slow him down. He wants to do it, he’s doing it. And, you know, nothing stops him. So, yeah, he really he was so excited about this job and getting out in the world and working.

Jackie Berg – Gravelbourg, SK

The Great Work Award

The Great Work Award recognizes a person who demonstrates a great work ethic and professional growth in their community.

Meet the 2023 Great Work Award Recipient

Introducing this year’s Great Work Award recipient, Garritt Hallborg. Garritt lives in Gravelbourg and has worked hard to achieve employment at Wheatland Pub and Eatery. He started his work experience journey at Café de Paris where he was able to gain confidence in his skills as an employee and was ready to take on employment with Wheatland.

The Spotlight Award

The Spotlight Award recognizes a person who has an amazing skill or talent and who is eager to share this talent with their community.

Meet the 2023 Spotlight Award Recipient!

We’re shining the spotlight on Kylie Zacharias. Kylie lives in Saskatoon and is being recognized for her makeup artistry talents. She was interested in makeup at a very young age and uses these talents to lift others up. She is a strong advocate for those experiencing disability, as well as the LGBTQ2+ communities.

The makeup helps her to help others. I think we live in a world that can be very mean, that can be very hateful. It has it’s ups and downs. And with Kylie, she reminds you that there is beauty. There’s true beauty in everyone.

Asha Arnold – Saskatoon, SK

Anytime you meet her, it’s always you’re greeted with laughter and a smile, and it’s always just jokes and stories.

Lorenzo Apostol – Saskatoon, SK

The Spirit Award

The Spirit Award is given to someone who lights up any room they’re in. Whether this person is the life of the party or a kind and caring friend who goes out of their way to make people feel welcomed, this person loves to share their spirit with others.

Meet the 2023 Spirit Award Recipient

Introducing this year’s Spirit Award recipient, Yvonne Ronning. Yvonne lives in Saskatoon and is a great example of someone who is not afraid to be themselves. Yvonne figuratively and literally lights up a room, with her amazing personality and her handmade outfits that incorporate lights. Everyone loves spending time with Yvonne; her laugh is infectious and her unique individuality is something to be admired.

The Community Builder Award

The Community Builder Award recognizes an organization, business, group, or individual whose efforts have a profound impact on their community.

Meet the 2023 Community Builder Award Recipient!

Introducing this year’s 2023 Community Builder Award Recipient, The Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery. Jennifer Fitzpatrick and her team at the Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery are true community builders for the people of Humboldt and area. The Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery works hard to ensure that community is reflected back through their exhibits. It is evident that the community is at the heart of what they do when you experience the exhibits for yourself. Whether it is working to ensure all cultures are represented or working with other organizations, the Humboldt & District Museum and Gallery looks for opportunities to celebrate community.

Our folks were allowed to be their authentic selves, and that is what the museum stands for. they provide local artists, local music. They’re always about the community…

Stephanie Keller – Humboldt, SK

With Kevin he recognizes the strengths in his staff and that’s where he moves them so that they can be best utilized. They can use those strengths and abilities that they have, and he sees that in them, in those employees, and moves them to do those duties that support their skills and abilities.

Carmen Donald – Regina, SK

The Inclusive Advantage Award

The Inclusive Advantage Award recognizes an employer who is a leader in supported employment by employing people experiencing disability.

Meet the 2023 Inclusive Advantage Award Recipient!

Introducing this year’s Inclusive Advantage Award recipient, Sherwood Co-op – Harbour Landing. Management at the Sherwood CO-OP, Habour Landing location, is committed to working with community-based organizations in Regina to reduce barriers to employment and helping new employees feel welcomed and comfortable while working in a busy and fast-paced environment. Kevin Jensen, who is the Manager of the Sherwood CO-OP, Habour landing location, is a champion for inclusive hiring and believes that is important to their business and is willing to take the time to set each employee up for success.

Do You Want to Nominate Someone for a SARC Award?

Nominations open in April of each year for Regular and Associate SARC Members and are accepted until end of may of the same year. Two to three weeks after the closing date, nominators from SARC Member Agencies are contacted. Then, throughout July and August, SARC staff travel across the province to meet each recipient, their family, friends, and other community members to film a video vignette so that it can be shared with family and friends, other SARC Members, SARC Member Board representatives, government representatives, and members of the public at the SARC Awards Banquet.

Resources

Please Note: The included information is for reference only, and SARC and its Members, their employers, officers, and Directors assume and accept no liability for any consequences arising from the use, non-use, accuracy, or legal compliance of any of the information, tools, or resources provided.

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