Community Individual - Dr. Rita Dahlke

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The Calgary Urban Project Society, or CUPS, promotes human dignity, especially in people whose dignity has suffered. CUPS Health Director Dr. Dahlke lives that mission passionately, caring for those who have been neglected by their communities. Since 2003, Dr. Dahlke has provided medical care to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Under her direction, CUPS has created a new focus on primary care, providing access to family doctors to those who can't find them elsewhere. She has established clinics focusing on women's and children's health. She has incorporated pediatric care into the CUPS pre-school program, and added nurses to an outreach team working at other agencies and on Calgary streets.

In addition, Dr. Dahlke has worked on projects that use group settings to educate about diabetes and encourage pregnant women to continue seeking care.

She is an innovator and transformational leader, working constantly to meet the needs of the patients CUPS serves.

Spread the Love supports groups helping feed Calgary's hungry through the simple act of sandwich making.

In 2002, a group of volunteers began meeting monthly to make sandwiches for others. Eventually, the group engaged schools in its cause, offering rewarding volunteer experiences and leadership opportunities for youth. By the end of 2007, a dozen high schools were spreading the love for Calgary's hungry.

In 2008, Spread the Love broadened its mission, reaching out to schools, businesses and non-profits and incorporating as a non-profit organization. It has now begun a leadership program for young people interested in getting involved.

Through its efforts, Spread the Love raises awareness about hunger and homelessness, offers relief to front-line organizations, provides opportunities to young people, and gives food to those who need it most.

Learn more at www.spreadthelove.ca.

Community Youth - Bowness High School's Random Acts of Kindness Club

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The Random Acts of Kindness Club was formed in 2000, when a student decided to start something that would make the world a better place. Beginning with 50 students, the club has since grown to 170. One in every ten Bowness students is a member.

At the beginning of each school year, students identify areas where they can make a difference. They then meet weekly to work on all kinds of projects, from volunteering, to raising funds, supplies and awareness of issues.

The group's many accomplishments include donating over 200 winter jackets to families in need, volunteering at elementary schools, and raising money to send two refugee teenagers to school in Africa. They have supported many causes, built positive relations with their neighbours, and much more.

Through caring and community-building, Random Acts of Kindness demonstrates the value of volunteerism and shows all students that they can make a difference.

As a teacher in Brazil, Daniela was frustrated by the public school system. Although university tuition is paid for, only five per cent of public high school graduates are able to pass the entrance exams.

She had dreams of offering more to her students, but was frustrated by a lack of government support and an attitude that the students were bound to fail.

Daniela moved to Canada to pursue a master's degree at the University of Calgary. It was here she started NewClassroom, a project that provides professional development for Brazilian teachers with the help of teachers in Canada.

Since 2006, the volunteer-based group has been travelling to Brazil to run professional development courses with teachers there. Using a hands-on approach, the group shares teaching experiences, challenges, and potential solutions to problems.

Daniela hopes that by empowering teachers, she can improve the chances of Brazil's public school students, empowering them to build brighter futures.

The Bolivian Canadian Clean Water Network was started by Janaki Jayanthan and Trevor Hirsche – two University of Calgary students who wanted to make a difference.

They wanted to provide clean water to people in rural Bolivia. To do this, the focused on BioSand filters – simple filtration systems that can be produced almost anywhere using inexpensive, accessible materials.

Working with partners in Bolivia, they have trained a small group to build and install the filters. Steps have been taken to make the Bolivian group self-sustaining, and they are hoping to work with another group to spread the filters even further.

So far their efforts have benefitted 1,500 people who now have access to an easy, equitable and reliable source of drinkable water. They are healthy and no longer have to travel to access this vital resource.

Since age 11, Trevor has been active in youth empowerment and international aid. Now 15, he leads the Eighth Rung, a youth group that has raised funds for water, lighting and health initiatives in the developing world.

Trevor was inspired by a United Nations youth empowerment model that shows how youth can play important roles in even the highest levels of community organization and involvement. He worked to apply the model's principles to the Eighth Rung, making it entirely youth-driven.

Trevor and the Eighth Rung have been extremely successful fundraisers for international aid projects. Among his accomplishments was working with the Canadian International Development Agency to leverage $20,000 the group had raised, turning it into $120,000.

Through his commitment to international development and the power of youth to make a difference, Trevor is an excellent role model for young people everywhere.

In her roles with the YMCA Achievement Program and as the Post-Secondary Access director with the Community YMCA, Christine embodies community development.

Beyond her job, Christine works as a mentor and helps youth take a hands-on approach to community involvement. She has been particularly involved as co-founder of an organization called SCREAM.

SCREAM stands for Social and Community Responsibility through Education, Arts and Music. The group uses educational films, arts, dance, music and sports to encourage youth to start thinking about social activism and community development while having fun.

Through SCREAM, Christine has provided guidance with projects such as the annual Global Youth Summit, and has worked to make the event's impact last year-round.

Christine creates an open environment and supports the youth as they plan their activities, letting them take the driver's seat in planning, funding, promoting and participating. In doing so, she is helping youth find their own place in making positive changes for themselves and their communities.

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In 2006, Lisa Congo was a youth pastor at RockPointe Church. She issued a challenge to the teenage girls she worked with to do something that would change the world.

One group of four girls decided to raise enough money to build a house and give it to a family in need.

The cost to do this with Habitat for Humanity would be one-hundred-and-ten-thousand-dollars. With Lisa as project manager and two other adult leaders, they began a seemingly difficult task.

They began raising money by speaking to businesses, private donors and church members and gradually raised the needed funds.

Finally, the group was successful in its remarkable goal, and construction was able to begin. Keys to the house will be handed over to its new owners in just a few months.

Through Lisa's leadership and influence, the students have become committed to community work, knowing they can truly make a difference.

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And the Nominees are...