Government of Ontario: Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

Newcomer Champion Awards

Purpose

Ontario is dedicated to building a province where diversity is celebrated, voluntarism is valued and recognized, and people are engaged in working together to improve the quality of life for everyone.

The Newcomer Champion Awards recognizes individuals and groups who have made a difference in their community and province through active citizenship and engagement – champions of voluntarism, proud supporters of newcomers, and advocates of greater social and civic inclusion.

Through active citizenship and engagement, strong, dynamic and supportive communities are created. From voluntarism, delivering support services, creating welcoming communities for newcomers or celebrating Ontario’s many cultures, the Newcomer Champion Awards is a means to celebrate our province’s diversity and growth.

Eligibility

Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to:

Community voluntarism
Promoting civic engagement and awareness
Responding to community needs and working with others to create positive change
Creating welcoming communities for Ontario’s newcomers
Celebrating, promoting and fostering an understanding of Ontario’s cultural diversity
Excellence in delivering services that provides the foundation of strong, dynamic and supportive communities

Nominations may be made in one of the following 3 categories

ChangeTheWorld Youth Ambassador - recognizes an outstanding youth volunteer between the ages of 14 to 18 who has participated in the annual ChangeTheWorld Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge. Nominations must be made by the local volunteer centre where the youth participated in the Challenge.
Community Leader - recognizes an individual who has made an exceptional long-term commitment in ensuring that immigrants and refugees gain equal, adequate and universal access to social services, and/or promoting active citizenship and engagement in their community or province.
Newcomer Champion - recognizes settlement or community groups that show excellence in promoting cross-cultural understanding and/or implementing programs to help settle and connect newcomers in communities.

Nominees must be residents of Ontario.

Individual self nominations are not accepted.

Posthumous nominations are not accepted.

How are the Recipients Selected?

An independent selection committee reviews all nominations and recommends the recipients.

When are the Awards Presented?

The Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade presents the awards at a special recognition ceremony in June in celebration of Multicultural Day.

When is the Deadline?

You can submit nomination forms at any time. The deadline for this award is March 15 of each year. If March 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. the next business day. All nominations received after the deadline date will be considered for the following year.

How do I Make a Nomination?

Each nomination must include the following:

A completed and signed nomination form.

A detailed description (approximately 500 to 1000 words) of the reason(s) why your nominee(s) should receive the award. Content may include:

A description of the achievement in detail, including any background or related historical information.
What made this an outstanding achievement - indicate any extraordinary circumstances or challenges the nominee(s) faced.
How this achievement has impacted the community or province
When the achievement was initiated and completed.
Examples of ongoing leadership and dedication.
How long you have known the nominee(s)

Supporting testimonials from two individuals (other than the nominator) who are familiar with the value and impact of the achievement.

Additional materials (optional) such as supplementary testimonials, publications, media stories, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: all materials must be submitted unbound (no staples), single sided and in 8.5” x 11” (letter size) format. Fax copies will not be accepted.

Send completed forms by March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend or holiday, nominations will be accepted the next business day) to:

Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
400 University Avenue, 4^th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2R9

Need More Information?

Visit http://www.ontario.ca/honoursandawards or contact the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat at 416 314-7526 (in Toronto), toll free 1-877-832-8622, or TTY 416 327-2391.

Newcomer Champion Awards Nomination Form

(Please print clearly and complete in full)

My nomination is for:

ChangeTheWorld Youth Ambassador (individual)
Community Leader (individual)
Newcomer Champion (group)

(If your nomination is for a group, please provide a group contact)

Mr. Mrs. Ms. Other (specify)

Last Name

First Name

Name of Group (if applicable)

Home Business

Address

Unit/Suite/Apt.
Street No.
Street Name
City/Town
Province
PO Box
Postal Code
Telephone. (including area code)
Email Address

Nomination Submitted by:

Mr. Mrs. Ms. Other (specify)
Last Name

First Name

Address Unit/Suite/Apt.
Street No.
Street Name
City/Town
Province
PO Box
Postal Code
Telephone. (including area code)
Email Address

Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.M.18, s.4, in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.F.31 and will be used to determine eligibility and notify recipients of the Newcomer Champion Awards. For further information, please contact the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat, 400 University Avenue, 4th Floor, Toronto ON M7A 2R9, 416 314–7526.

Signature of Nominator
Date

Send this completed form and supporting materials by March 15 (if this date falls on a weekend or holiday, nominations will be accepted the next business day) to:

Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
400 University Avenue, 4^th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 2R9