Nominations are now open. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

Save the date – Red Triangle Gala – May 4, 2023

Red Triangle and Leader to Watch Awards

The YMCA of Greater Saint John values the significant contributions that individuals have made in our society. Since 1990, the Y has been recognizing individuals that have made a difference in the community.

The Red Triangle Award is presented in recognition of long and meritorious volunteer service, outstanding contributions and achievement within the Y or in the community. The recipient of this award has been an active volunteer and demonstrated a commitment to the community throughout their lifetime. They have made a difference to Canadian society.

The Leader to Watch Award is presented to an individual, 35 years or younger, who is a role model for youth in our community. This person demonstrates skills, enthusiasm and leadership in their work, in educational settings and as a volunteer in the community.

Many of the past recipients continue to serve the community on a daily basis. Their commitment and dedication continues to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and it is very important that these extraordinary people be recognized.

Red Triangle Award Criteria

The Red Triangle Award is presented in recognition of long and meritorious volunteer service, outstanding contributions and achievement within the Y and in the community.

The recipient of this award has:

Contributed to furthering the mission and values of the Y of Greater Saint John;
Enhanced the work of the Y and/or other charitable organizations through philanthropy;
Demonstrated social responsibility;
Been an active volunteer and demonstrated a commitment to the community;
Made a difference to Canadian society.

Leader to Watch Award Criteria

This individual (35 years of age or less) provides skilled and enthusiastic leadership in an educational, family, career or community setting.

This individual is:

Determined to lead, demonstrating their leadership skills at work and as a volunteer;
Willing to act and support the constructive actions of others;
A role model, encouraging and inspiring to other young people;
Participating in shaping the future of the community.

2022 Red Triangle Recipient

Juanita Black

Juanita Black, the founding editor of Around the Block, is well known for her voice as a poverty advocate, working together with others to bring about change at the local, provincial and national levels. Her experience as a young single mother living in poverty has been a big inspiration to give back. She has dedicated her life to being a volunteer leader in her neighbourhood, a mentor in her community and a champion at the provincial and federal level to promote fairness and justice and a better quality of life for all. She illustrates the power of the voice of lived experience and the power of one working with others to bring about change!

Juanita’s powerful message in building a more caring community is captured in a new documentary film, Perseverance: The Juanita Black Story which charts more than 30 years she’s spent as a volunteer, poverty advocate, mentor, philanthropist and neighbourhood leader.

2022 Leader to Watch Recipient

Nicole Vair

The Leader to Watch Award recipient demonstrates leadership and enthusiasm in their life, in learning and in volunteering in our community. Nicole Vair has demonstrated her leadership skills through her work experiences and volunteer activities. Anyone that has had the opportunity to be in Nicole’s inner circle feels welcome, accepted, and appreciated. She is a role model that leads by example. Nicole has served on the International Committee, recruiting volunteers and organizing Peace Week activities. She was instrumental in the creation of the YMCA Youth Council in 2017 and is still on the committee, providing support for initiatives and encouraging youth to be involved with the Y and their community.

Nicole is an active volunteer in the community and has partnered with groups such as Project Roar, Operation Red Nose, The East magazine, InterAction School of the Performing Arts and the Saint John Theatre Company. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of Fusion Saint John and recently joined the YMCA Strategic Planning Task Force this year, helping to identify the priorities that will shape the future of the Y.

All proceeds from the Red Triangle Awards will help fund our Strong Communities Campaign.

YMCA Strong Communities Campaign is an annual fundraising campaign focused on raising much needed resources to provide access to proven YMCA programs that give kids, youth, adults, seniors and families the opportunities they need to reach their potential and to live healthier, happier lives.

In 2021, your YMCA raised $449,000 to support our community and ensure everyone has access to the Y.

At the Y we are building healthy communities through the power of belonging. We hope you will join us in supporting a healthier and stronger Greater Saint John.

PAST RECIPIENTS:

1990	James A MacMurray	2009	Saint John Y’s Men’s Club
1991	Philip W. Oland		Eric Savoie (Leader to Watch)
1992	Dr. G. Forbes Elliot	2010	Roly MacIntyre
	Elsie Wayne		Leah Richardson (Leader to Watch)
1993	Ethel Flewelling	2011	Dale Knox
	George Stears		Taryn O’Neill (Leader to Watch)
1995	Malcolm Somerville	2012	Erminie Cohen
1996	Dr. Mary Eileen Travis		Stephany Peterson (Leader to Watch)
1997	Harry Gaunce	2013	Sisters of Charity
1998	C. William (Bill) Stanley	2014	Daryl Steeves
1999	Dr. Edward J. Doherty		Danny Jardine (Leader to Watch)
2000	Clifford G. Warner	2015	BCAPI
2001	Keith M. Wilson		Sarah Mudge (Leader to Watch)
	William T. Gale	2016	John K.F. Irving
2002	Lino Celeste		Craig Bell Estabrooks (Leader to Watch)
	Christopher Long (Leader to Watch)	2017	Arthur Irving
2004	Patrick Darrah		John Fitzpatrick, Jr. (Leader to Watch)
	Dale Knox (Leader to Watch)	2018	Bill McMackin Stephen McMackin Harry Daley (Leader to Watch)
2005	Jane Barry & David Barry Janet Scott (Leader to Watch)	2019	Dr. Shelley Rinehart Jennifer Brown (Leader to Watch)
2006	Richard Oland Derek Riedle (Leader to Watch)	2020	The Friars Family Katelyn Hunter (Leader to Watch)
2007	Brice Belyea, David Carlin, Blair MacDonald, Clark Sancton, Robert Vincent	2021	Partners Assisting Local Schools (PALS)
	Jeff Sparks (Leader to Watch)		Dustin LeClerc (Leader to Watch)
2008	Cheryl Robertson	2022	Juanita Black
	Sheikh Bahauddin (Leader to Watch)		Nicole Vair (Leader to Watch)