Community Changemaker of the Year

The Community Changemaker of the Year Award celebrates the creativity and collaborative spirit of small agencies and organizations serving people with disabilities in communities across Canada.

The award is presented annually to a local, regional, or provincial organization that is a service delivery partner of MODC, and that has demonstrated innovation and impact in expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in their communities.

Eligibility Criteria 

  • Canadian-based community organization 
  • Active service delivery partner of MODC in 2023-2024 
  • Demonstrated innovation and impact in expanding disability inclusion and community participation opportunities 


Community Changemaker of the Year Award Past Winners


Congratulations to the Community Changemaker of the Year Award winners. All the winners were celebrated at MODC’s annual signature gala, The Changemakers Supper Club, held in Toronto. 


2024 Community Changemaker of the Year

Greater Sudbury logo

                         
The City of Greater Sudbury

Economic Development Corporation


The Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) is a not-for-profit agency and the economic development arm of the City of Greater Sudbury.

Governed by an 18-member board of directors and supported by City staff, the GSDC serves as a catalyst for economic development initiatives, focusing on the attraction, development, and retention of businesses in the community.

The GSDC Board collaborates closely with the City’s Economic Development division to advance priorities related to business retention, development, and attraction, as well as enhancing economic capacity, investment readiness, and community vibrancy.

The GSDC plays a key role in promoting community economic development by encouraging, facilitating, and supporting strategic planning. Through its partnership with March of Dimes Canada, the GSDC has made truly life-changing contributions to the lives of people with disabilities in the Greater Sudbury area.

The ongoing financial and logistical support the GSDC provides to Project SEARCH means students with disabilities have access to vital on-the-job training and experience. In its first year, for example, this partnership resulted in 100 per cent employment for the 10 participating students with an average wage of $21.00/hour.

The success of Project SEARCH in the Greater Sudbury area is a testament to the hard work and innovative thinking of the GSDC, its staff, and local partners.

As a critical leader in economic development, the GSDC works alongside community stakeholders to foster entrepreneurship, build on local strengths, and stimulate continuous growth, ensuring Greater Sudbury remains a dynamic and healthy city.

2023 Community Changemaker of the Year Award Winners
– Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital & Disability Without Poverty


Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital logo
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital believes in creating a world where all youth and  children belong. They are the only children’s rehabilitation hospital in Canada focused on combining world-class care, transformational research, and academic leadership in the field of child and youth rehabilitation and disability. Providing both inpatient and outpatient services, Holland Bloorview is renowned for its expertise in co-creating with clients and families to provide exceptional care and is the only organization to ever achieve 100 per cent in three successive quality surveys by Accreditation Canada.  Through knowledge sharing and collaboration on program development and delivery, they enhance and amplify March of Dimes Canada’s ability to bridge evidence into practice and provide high-quality support to those we serve. This includes collaboration on impactful programs like Project SEARCH, a school-to-work transition program for youth with developmental or intellectual disabilities.


Disability Without Poverty logo
Disability Without Poverty is a movement led by people with disabilities and supported by families, friends, service providers, allies and organizations, with the shared goal of ending disability poverty in Canada. Through a range of high-impact strategies, the group has been a powerful voice and force for change on Bill C-22, the Canada Disability Benefit Act. 

Their next steps are to push for the Canada Disability Benefit to be budgeted in a way that lifts people with disabilities out of poverty. Additionally, they are taking the initiative to ensure people with disabilities are fully consulted, and their issues brought up when shaping the benefit during regulations.  

Disability Without Poverty is supported by private and community foundations to preserve its independence and ability to advocate and partner with government.




2022 Community Changemaker of the Year Award Winner
– Ontario Disability Employment Network


ODEN
Educating more than a 1,000 people a year, the Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) trains businesses and service providers on best practices for inclusive hiring. Recent initiatives include awareness campaign “Light It Up! For NDEAM” and Jobs Ability Canada, an accessible recruitment platform built by and for people with disabilities. ODEN also collaborated with MODC on MentorAbility Canada, a program bridging opportunities between employers and people who have a disability, and Skills2Sector Workforce Development, which promotes agricultural and mining careers.








 


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