September 18, 2000

 

Cultural Harmony Award Winners to be
Honoured with Tree-Planting

Mayor Philip Owen will present the 2000 Cultural Harmony Awards to The First Lutheran Church, and community organizer Teresa Whitehouse on:

Friday, September 29, 2000
4:00 -5:30 p.m.
Cultural Harmony Grove
(south side of False Creek,
under Burrard Bridge)

The Cultural Harmony Awards honour individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to the promotion of cultural harmony in the City of Vancouver. The winners are selected by an independent jury panel and will receive a certificate, a plaque, and a tree planted in their name in the Cultural Harmony Grove.

The First Lutheran Church was chosen a winner in the organization category for its leadership and dedication in helping newcomers, families in need, and the entire community in the Collingwood area. In partnership with other organizations, it provides a safe, comfortable and accessible place for people of all backgrounds and ages to gather, get support and help others in need. The church offers a wide range of programs and services, including language training, daycare, various food-related programs, and services for newcomers, refugees, women, seniors and youth.

Teresa Whitehouse is being honoured in the individual category for her hands-on work on cultural diversity and anti-racism issues in Vancouver neighbourhoods such as Little Mountain/Riley Park and Killarney/Victoria/Fraserview. She has organized multicultural workshops, events and forums; worked with students; and developed anti-racism materials, focusing on cross-cultural sharing and racism-free neighbourhoods. As well, she has served as a board member of community centre associations and advocated for making community centres more welcoming places for diverse cultural communities.

This is the fifth year that the Cultural Harmony Awards have been presented. The awards are sponsored by the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, and the Special Advisory Committee to Council on Cultural Communities. This year’s awards are also supported by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia ( ICBC ).

 

Media enquiries:

Rajpal Kohli Equal Employment Opportunity 873-7709

Baldwin Wong Social Planning 871-6637

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