Ann Schneider, M’Wikwedong, and Others Honoured at BELONG Awards Gala
Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce hosted the first BELONG Awards at the Together As One Gala, honouring local individuals, groups, and businesses promoting inclusion and community belonging.
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Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce is delighted to announce the winners of the first annual BELONG Awards, presented at the Together As One Gala on April 25, 2025, at the Klages Mill, Chesley.
Welcoming Communities is a non-profit organization with a mission to build a welcoming region and territory where everyone belongs, and no one is left behind.
Nominations were received from the community for individuals and organizations that demonstrate BELONG: they Build connections, Empower, Listen, practice Oneness, value Newcomers and Generate skills for success.
Ann Schneider was presented with the Individual BELONG Award by board vice chair David Morris. Ann immigrated to Canada as a child from the Netherlands and lives near Kemble.
She has sponsored Syrian refugees since 2015 with the Group of Five, served on the Steering Committee of the Grey Bruce Newcomer Network, supported the Making Grey Bruce Home project, and was on the Advisory Team for the implementation of the Grey Bruce Settlement and Language Services.
Manpreet Kaur Sangha, board chair, presented M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre with the Non-Profit Organization/Group BELONG Award.
M’Wikwedong’s Board chair Joss Ann Johnston and Theresa O'Connor, Director, accepted the award. M’Wikwedong opened its doors in 2001. It provides a wide range of free programming, a welcoming and inclusive community space with a diverse, skilled, and compassionate staff ‘to build a strong united community where cultural barriers do not exist’.
It has created a safe and brave space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. M’Wikwedong brings the needs and barriers to inclusion for Indigenous peoples forward, builds relationships, and invites people to come together to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in a good way.
TD Bank Hanover received the Business BELONG Award, presented by Welcoming Communities board member Sharon Safra, who said, ‘TD Bank Hanover clients are always welcomed warmly by the diverse BIPOC staff, including their Manager Amanda Gadke, which is unique to local banks in the region.’
TD Bank Hanover embraces the values of BELONG, demonstrated by the diversity of their employees and a dedicated department for Community Engagement.
Dr. Sadhana Prasad, Welcoming Communities board member, presented the Youth Change Maker BELONG Award to Bankole (Bankes) Faleye a Georgian College a third-year student in the world class Marine Navigation Technology program.
Bankole came from Nigeria to study in Canada, after completing an undergraduate degree in Lagos. Along with his academic excellence, he was elected the president of the Georgian College Student Association, engaged students, and organized multicultural events, field trips, sports events, and a Brown Bag lunch program for students in need of meals.
His nominator described him as ‘a superb student mentor who ensured that newcomers received a welcoming orientation to Georgian, and a person who embodies the strengths and values of the BELONG awards.’
The Together As One Gala was a wonderful celebration of international foods and dance, and an inspiring showcase of some extraordinary people and organizations that are making positive and lasting differences in the region. Welcoming Communities congratulates all the BELONG Award recipients for their amazing contributions to the region and territory.
Thank you and congratulations to the GALA organizing committee, the many sponsors, volunteers, international performers and local artists, presenters, award recipients, and caterers who made the first Together As One GALA and BELONG
Awards celebration so heart-warming, meaningful, and fun! Check out the gallery and future events on the Welcoming Communities website.
All text and photos submitted by Sharon Safra and Colleen Purdon, Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce Board Directors and GALA Organizers