THE 6th ANNUAL SOMA GANESAN SPIRIT OF HOPE AWARD

Background

Once again, the Cross-Cultural Mental Health Conference is calling for submissions for the 4th Annual Spirit of Hope Award. The goal of the Spirit of Hope Award is to recognize an individual, program, not-for-profit agency or public institution within BC that has made a significant impact on improving the mental health conditions of immigrants and refugees.

Along with the award is a donation of $1,000 to a Mental Health program of the award recipients’ choice. Previous Spirit of Hope Award winners were Access Community through English (ACE) Program (2005), Tohio! African Youth Crime Prevention Video Project, Multicultural Family Centre (2006), Healthy Living Program for Farsi-Speakers, Canadian Mental Health Association (North & West Vancouver Branch) (2007), Frances MacQueen for her outstanding work with Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST) (2008), Jim Siemens for his commitment to the Resettlement Assistance Program program at ISSofBC (2009).


Who may be an award recipient?

Mental Health support is broadly defined to include both the formal and informal mental health system – those that may be found within publicly funded institutions as well as those within, for instance, a not-for-profit immigrant serving agency. As such, an award recipient may represent:

• an individual who has developed a unique approach or perhaps designed a new curriculum within an academic institution, a church-based volunteer who has establish an innovative collaborative support structure, someone within the legal system who has had an impact on how mental health newcomers are supported;
• a program – a unique treatment model or peer support program; or,
• a not-for-profit agency or public institution

Who/how will nominations be reviewed?

The Selection Committee, consisting of members of the Conference Planning Committee, will select the award recipient. The following selection factors are not exhaustive but do provide insight into elements the Award Selection Committee will be considering.

Innovation: Has the program/individual introduced certain innovations that have led to improving the mental health of immigrants and refugees? Could the program be considered a promising practice? What is innovative about the program or individuals approach? Does the program resemble a similar program in your community – is it one of a kind?

Impact: Broadly defined, what has been the positive impact of the individual, program or institution on the mental health of newcomers?

What is the Application process?

Using the attached application form, tell us why you feel your program, agency or a particular individual should be recognized with the Spirit of Hope Award. Please ensure your application is complete!

For more information, contact:
Anna Rowinska, Coordinator
Cross-Cultural Mental Health Conference
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / www.ccmhs.ca