2022
Innovation & Creativity Award -
Greater Toronto
Breakaway Community Services
Nominator Comments:
In January of 2021, Juno (they/them) co-founded a new initiative to respond to the burnout, trauma and grief experienced by frontline workers and community helpers in the overdose/drug poisoning crisis in Toronto. This initiative is the first of its kind – delivering wellness and support services, training and crisis response to the frontlines. Part of what made this initiative successful was Juno’s capacity to have a critical analysis of this complex issue while being driven by the hopefulness of what could be made possible. Juno advocated at the municipal level through deputations to the board of health to center the impact of the overdose crisis on workers. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, they developed innovative methods of engagement. They consulted with community to understand the diverse needs and impacts of this crisis; they organized the harm reduction sector to come together to coordinate around worker wellness; and, they helped to secure funding to develop and implement a creative and ground-breaking response to this community need. Juno has supported a community where traditional theories and models of grief do not reflect the disenfranchised, compounded and marginalized grief associated with overdose deaths. They have made space for these unique experiences, challenged mainstream discourses that further marginalize our community, and supported the community to develop
2022 Greater Toronto Bhayana Family Foundation Awards
Recognizing the extraordinary staff of United Way-funded agencies who make a difference every day.
Media Advisory: Bhayana Family Foundation Awards recognizes leaders in social service sector
November 23, 2022 (Toronto, ON) – Media are invited to a celebration of the social services sector’s leadership, partnership, dedication, innovation and creativity as the Bhayana Family Foundation Awards return on November 25 after a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19. Stories of resiliency, fortitude and innovation will be shared at the hybrid event as five team awards and 10 individual awards will be awarded to frontline employees from United Way Greater Toronto’s network of agencies who served over 2 million people last year in Peel, Toronto and York.
Date: Friday, November 25, 2022 Time: 1 to 3 p.m. Format: Virtual via Zoom or in person for photography and videography
The awards ceremony will include:
A keynote address by The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion
Emcee Daniele Zanotti, CEO of United Way Greater Toronto
Remarks by Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Raksha M.Bhayana of the Bhayana Family FoundationMedia interested in attending this event, please contact:Lindsay Kwan
Communications Manager, United Way Greater Toronto lkwan@uwgt.org
416-732-9700
Bhayana Awards Run of Show
Times are approximate
12:15–12:30: Guests Arrive
12:30–1:00: Buffet Lunch (in person)
1:00–1:10: Zoom goes live
1:10–1:15: Daniele Zanotti (UWGT President & CEO) welcomes guests (in person and on Zoom) and introduces Hon. Minister Ahmed Hussen
1:15–1:20: Minister Ahmed Hussen speaks (via Zoom)
1:20–1:23: Daniele thanks Minister Hussen and introduces Rocco Rossi
1:23–1:26: Rocco Rossi speaks
1:26–1:28: Daniele thanks Rocco Rossi and introduces Raksha Bhayana
1:28–1:32: Raksha speaks
1:32–2:02 Daniele presents Individual awards
2:02–2:05: Daniele congratulates the individual winners and introduces impact story presenters
2:05–2:08: Impact story #1
2:08–2:11: Impact story #2
2:11–2:30: Daniele thanks speakers and introduces the Team Awards
2:30–2:33: Daniele presents closing remarks and congratulates all
2:33–3:00: Guests mingle and depart
Have you been helped by a human service champion? We would love to hear about it.