On April 23, 2026 JABC hosted a Community Appreciation Celebration at the BCI office in downtown Vancouver, bringing together members of the JABC community to recognize their impact on youth across British Columbia.

The evening, which also included a nod to JABC’s 70th anniversary, began with networking, followed by remarks from JABC’s Tam Dinh, Manager of Community Engagement, and Wendi Campbell, President and CEO. Guests also heard heartfelt remarks from Sarah Dorrington of BCI, event host, alongside Monica of MOSAIC and Jennifer Kinakin of the North Vancouver School District, who spoke about their valued partnership with JABC and the meaningful impact of JA programs.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of individuals and organizations across eight award categories, with recipients presented with certificates in acknowledgement of their contributions:

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Champion Educators:

  • Jaswinder Sodhi, University Hills, Vancouver​​
  • Sheryl Gounder, Princess Margaret, Surrey​​
  • Damodar Paguette, Merritt Secondary, Merritt​​
  • Tom Grainger, Belmont Secondary, Victoria​​
  • Trent Gauthier, Vancouver School Board, Vancouver​​
  • Mandy Gander, Kwantlen Park Secondary, Surrey​​
  • Lydia Taylor, Vancouver Tech Secondary, Vancouver

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Champion Volunteers:

  • Hannah Tsui, JABC Youth Ambassador, Vancouver​​
  • Jennifer Underwood, Vancity Credit Union, Revelstoke​​
  • Michelle Fraser, Scotiabank, Prince George​​
  • Ramandeep Randhawa, Khalsa Credit Union, Surrey​​
  • Sarah Dorrington, BCI, Victoria​​
  • Starlene Starlund, Indigenous Community, Terrace​
  • Troy Klemo, Enterprise Mobility, Burnaby

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Champion Schools:

  • Britannia Secondary, Vancouver​​,
  • Duchess Park Secondary, Prince George​​,
  • Ecole Sperling Elementary, Burnaby​​,
  • Johnston Heights Secondary, Surrey​​,
  • R.E. Mountain Secondary, Langley​​,
  • St. Francis Xavier School, Vancouver​​,
  • Sir Charles Tupper Secondary, Vancouver

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Corporate Volunteer Champions:

  • BCI
  • Enterprise Mobility​​
  • Khalsa Credit Union​​
  • KPMG​​
  • Prospera Credit Union​​
  • RBC​​
  • Scotiabank

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Educator Advisory Champions:

  • Angus Wilson, SD 75, Mission​​
  • Bonnie Alexander, SD 61, Victoria​​
  • Dave Dickinson, SD 45, West Vancouver​​
  • Jennifer Schutz, SD 36, Surrey​​
  • Lisa Chapieski, SD 37, Delta​​
  • Nicole Bereti, Independent School, Vancouver​​
  • Ranjit Bains, SD 39, Vancouver

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Alumni Giving Back Champions:

  • Alicia Armstrong, Victoria​​
  • Avani Karadkhedkar, Vancouver​​
  • Emir Aboulhosn, Vancouver​​
  • Fred Withers, New Westminster​​
  • Jennifer Wilnechenko, Vancouver​​
  • Kenneth Smith, Arizona​​
  • Ramona Hooper, Port Moody

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School District Champions:

  • Kootenay Lake, SD 8 – Boundary​​
  • Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, SD 42 – Fraser​​
  • North Vancouver, SD 44 ​
  • Peace River South, SD 59 – Northern Region​​
  • Revelstoke, SD 19 – Okanagan​​
  • Saanich, SD 63 – Vancouver Island​​
  • Vancouver, SD 39 – Metro​​
  • Surrey, SD 36 – Metro

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Community Partner Champions:

  • Big Brothers​​
  • Big Sisters​​
  • Community Futures Thompson Country​​
  • Elizabeth Fry Society​​
  • MOSAIC​​
  • Take a Hike Foundation​​
  • YMCA Prince George

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The evening wrapped up with closing remarks from Jessica Bermudez, Director of Community Engagement, followed by continued networking as guests connected and celebrated together.

Thank you to all of our Champions for your ongoing support!

View photos from the evening here