The YMCA of Greater Halifax Dartmouth
Nominator Comments:
When the pandemic began in March of 2020, Preston was instrumental in supporting the development of a temporary women’s shelter at our Community Y location. He was also a key player in the disbursement of $25,000 in grocery cards to our low-income community members during the 1st summer of the pandemic.
Preston develops and delivers a program 4x per year that brings youth together to learn life skills they will use in their futures. He provides youth with the opportunity to effect change in their communities. This program culminates in the delivery of a community service project developed by his youth. He excels in recruitment and ensuring that his youth are engaged and grow throughout his program.
Preston ensures that his cohorts come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and Socio-economic status. He targets those from the Newcomer and African Nova Scotian communities.
Preston is a highly dedicated staff member and is always ready to go the extra mile above and beyond his regular duties. He is a favorite of our youth and has excellent rapport with the youth he works with. Preston thinks outside the box and is constantly looking for new ways to engage our youth. He is modest and quiet and happily completes his tasks in an ever-changing Pandemic landscape. He is an excellent candidate for this award.