2023 Civic Recognition Awards Recipients

These annual awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements of residents, groups, organizations, or businesses that made a significant impact in 2023 and whose exemplary actions, volunteer efforts, achievements or contributions have made Saint John a better place to live.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 

 

Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception

The Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception were founded in the City of Saint John on October 21, 1854. They ministered among Irish immigrants, providing education, health care and social services. Today, they also focus on social and ecological justice and peace, including a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

 

Cooke Aquaculture Inc.

Cooke’s mission is ‘To cultivate the ocean with care, nourish the world, provide for our families, and build stronger communities’. Established in 1985 by the Cooke family in Blacks Harbour, the company has grown from one farm site to the largest private family-owned seafood company in the world employing more than 13,000 people worldwide, and operating global aquaculture and wild fishery divisions in 15 countries providing a sustainable global seafood source.

 

MAYOR’S CERTIFICATE 

Trevor Holder

In appreciation of Trevor’s 25 years of dedicated service as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He was first elected as the MLA for Saint John Portland in 1999. During his time as an MLA, Mr. Holder has held many portfolios, including Minister of Environment and Local Government, Minister of Tourism and Parks, Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport, and Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, and most recently the Minister for Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour. He has also served as Deputy Speaker.

 

COUNCIL COMMENDATION

 

Julie Dingwell

Julie has been the Executive Director of Avenue B Harm Reduction since 1999. She is a long-time advocate around poverty, addiction and environmental issues in Southern NB. Her initiatives, include needle exchange programs and methadone treatment funding, as well as coordinating a partnership with a small community in Eswatini, to send children to school. She has a collaborative approach that bridges sectors and fosters alliances.

 

Amy Enman

Amy advocates for youth housing and care, focusing on harm reduction, trauma-informed approaches, and the continuum model of care. As the Centre for Youth Care case manager, she addresses service gaps by creating new housing options for youth ages 19-25. She also supports informal shelters for those facing housing insecurity in Saint John and volunteers weekly with Street Team SJ.

 

Johanne and Ivan McCullough

In 2022, Johanne and Ivan began providing home-cooked meals to nearby encampments. Their efforts quickly grew into a movement as others joined in. Today, StreetTeamSJ delivers hot meals six nights a week and provides essential supplies to the unhoused population. They inspire others to make a tangible difference, proving ordinary people can create extraordinary change.

 

Melanie Vautour

Melanie is the Executive Director of Fresh Start Services. A passionate advocate for social justice, she has worked in women’s economic development; street outreach and support services, as well as developing and implementing housing support programs for women.

 

Wesley Williams - Maestro Fresh Wes

Wes Williams “Maestro Fresh Wes” is a Canadian rapper, producer, actor, author and motivational speaker. He was the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and is one of 2024‘s five laureates of the Governor General‘s Performing Arts Awards. Wes and his family moved to Saint John in 2020, making a significant impact on the city through volunteer work, hosting the radio show "Maestro in the Maritimes," and CBC's "Race Against the Tide." Wes has announced an NBCC scholarship for Black youth in skilled trades, aiming for a positive intergenerational impact.

Community grants are available to non-profit organizations in the City of Saint John to support inclusive quality of life services and initiatives that align with Saint John Common Council priorities, vision and goals. 

Since 2015, the Community Grants Program has granted over $1 Million to local organizations whose services foster community engagement, promote healthy, active and inclusive communities, support diversity and accessibility, and deliver activities to meet the social, cultural and recreational needs of residents.

The grant envelope is determined within the City of Saint John annual General Fund Operating Budget. A call for applications follows the approval of the budget by Common Council, which generally takes place by mid-December.

Operational Funding

Purpose & Objectives
The Operational Funding Grant assists with the general administrative expenses of an organization

• Supports the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for all and promote economic health to residents and visitors.
• Enhances the ability of organizations that deliver important social, wellness and quality of life support to all residents of the City of Saint John.
• Encourages innovation, sustainability and cooperation through the various organizations within the City of Saint John.
• Upholds and advances the terms of Council Priorities, PlanSJ and/or PlaySJ.

Eligibility
Eligible funding activities under Organizational Support includes: rent, utilities, human resources, office supplies, essential travel, fundraising activities and information technology upgrades.
The following are ineligible for grant funds:

• Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
• Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
• Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
• Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
• Funding of deficits or debts.
• Free or discounted tickets to an event.
• Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.

The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:

• Innovation.
• Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
• Link to Council Priorities.
• Long-term benefits/impacts.
• Level of community support.
• Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
• Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
• Sustainability of business plan or development plan.

Community Project

Purpose & Objectives
The Community Project Grant is designed to distribute seed funding for the start-up of projects, and/or funds for a short-term undertaking with a clear start and completion date.

• Support the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for residents and visitors.
• Enhance the ability of organizations that deliver important social, wellness and quality of life support to the residents of the City of Saint John.
• Encourage innovation, sustainability and cooperation in the delivery of Community Projects in the City of Saint John.
• Uphold and advance the terms of Council Priorities, Plan SJ and/or Play SJ.

Eligibility
The following are ineligible for grant funds:

• Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
• Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
• Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
• Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
• Funding of deficits or debts.
• Free or discounted tickets to an event.
• Fundraising events.
• Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.
• Conferences or professional development.

Application Requirements & Evaluation

• Applications must demonstrate:
• Fundraising and community partnership.
• The number of residents/visitors impacted by the project.
• How the Community Project responds to interest from the broader community.
• Specific outcomes to be achieved.
• Projected budget including sources and use of funds/in-kind support.
• Timelines for implementation of the project.

The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:

• Innovation.
• Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
• Link to Council Priorities.
• Long-term benefits/impacts.
• Level of community support.
• Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
• Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
• Sustainability of business plan or development plan.

Special Event

Purpose & Objectives
The Special Events Grant is designed to support events that are of cultural, sport, social or recreational significance to the Saint John community.

• Support the City of Saint John in its ongoing pursuit to be a community of choice for residents and visitors.
• To support events that result in important cultural, environmental, heritage, sport, recreational, educational and financial returns for the City of Saint John.
• To encourage innovation, sustainability and cooperation in the delivery of Special Events in the City of Saint John.
• Uphold and advance the terms of Council Priorities, Plan SJ and/or Play SJ.

Eligibility
The following are ineligible for grant funds:

• Individuals or corporations seeking funding.
• Lobbying of federal, provincial and municipal governments.
• Activities or initiatives outside of the City of Saint John.
• Expenditures that occurred prior to the application.
• Funding of deficits or debts.
• Free or discounted tickets to an event.
• Fundraising events.
• Fellowships, scholarships or bursaries.
• Conferences or professional development.

Application Requirements & Evaluation

• Applications must demonstrate:
• Event identifies a community need or priority
• The number of residents/visitors impacted by the event.
• Event supported by community partners, sponsors and stakeholders.
• Specific outcomes to be achieved.
• Projected budget including sources and use of funds/in-kind support.

The Community Grants Evaluation Committee will assess applications according to a pre-established evaluation matrix, which will score the application on a variety of variables, including, but not limited to:

• Innovation.
• Likelihood of accomplishing stated outcomes.
• Link to Council Priorities.
• Long-term benefits/impacts.
• Level of community support.
• Ability to generate cooperation between citizens and other organizations.
• Ability to acquire other sources of funding/in-kind support.
• Sustainability of business plan or development plan (for repeated/annual event)