Pacific Region - Donna Yates

Congratulations to the Pacific Region's 2008 Taylor Award nominee, Donna Yates!

For over 10 years, Donna has been involved with the Fraser Valley Community Corrections Citizen Advisory Committee, holding the position of Chairperson many times.

Using her contacts in the community, Donna has been very successful in finding work opportunities for offenders.

Donna was also instrumental in establishing the Chiliwack Community Correctional Centre (CCC) Feed the Children program, which currently feeds 300 elementary and alternative school children every school day. This program also involves contributions from the CCC, as offenders prepare meals and also make monetary donations.

Bringing the spirit of forgiveness, restorative justice and acceptance, Donna works tirelessly to educate the public about the ability for offenders to make positive changes in themselves and in the community.

Prairie Region - Tom Huffman

Congratulations to the Prairie Region's 2008 Taylor Award nominee, Tom Huffman!

Recently retired, Tom was an active member of the Rockwood Institution and Stony Mountain Institution Citizen Advisory Committees (CACs) for 15 years. He served as the local Chairperson for both committees as well as the Vice-Chair of the Regional CAC Executive.

Tom brought with him a lifetime of knowledge and experience to these committees; he worked for the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) for 35 years. Tom’s “two careers” with CSC span a period of 50 years, during which time his dedication to the Service has been exemplary.

Tom always brought a sensitive and intelligent perspective to the broad range of issues he addressed. His humour, dedication, and sincere concern for all he encountered have always been an inspiration to others.

Ontario Region - Bill and Rosemarie McMechan

Congratulations to the Ontario Region's 2008 Taylor Award nominees, Bill and Rosemarie McMechan!

Over the past 25 years, Bill and Rosemarie have been active participants in many offender social programs at various institutions. This includes the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), the Native Brotherhood, and Black Inmates and Friends.

For many years, they provided organizational leadership to AVP Ontario and AVP Canada. In addition, Bill was the co-ordinator of AVP International from 1994 to 2000.

Although they are very active, they give freely of their time to those in need. When they visit an institution, or attend any spiritual or social events they demonstrate an unselfish affection for the people they are with.

Quebec Region - Bernard and Jeannine Latulippe

Congratulations to the Quebec Region's 2008 Taylor Award nominees, Bernard and Jeannine Latulippe!

For 25 years, Jeannine and Bernard have been mainly volunteering at the Federal Training Centre, a minimum-security penitentiary.

They have also been key members of Entrée Libre, a community organization in Laval, Quebec, that provides support to former inmates and minimum-security inmates with prison leave privileges. Since its foundation over 20 years ago, Bernard and Jeannine have attended almost all of the meetings and have been elected members of the organization’s board of directors.

They are role models for individuals both in institutions and in the community. Their availability, open mindedness, and enduring commitment are among the qualities recognized and appreciated by both offenders and CSC staff alike.

Atlantic Region - Bertrand (Bert) Johnson

Congratulations to the Atlantic Region's 2008 Taylor Award nominee, Bertrand (Bert) Johnson!

Bert is well known for is his over 50 years of tireless devotion to helping those who are marginalized, including offenders, disadvantaged youth and those who are homeless and/or illiterate.

In the 1990s, he helped start Mountain Top House, a residential centre in Dorchester, New Brunswick for families of offenders who are visiting loved ones at Dorchester Penitentiary and Westmorland Institution.

Over the last 20 years, Bert has also been instrumental in establishing successful work releases in conjunction with House of Nazareth, a homeless shelter and community centre in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The most recent and all encompassing project Bert has founded is www.Findmyway.ca, an interactive tool to help people in need in the greater Moncton area find support. The web site is a major success and is currently being expanded to Prince Edward Island.