Edwina Jeffrey, community leader and chair of the joint planning committee for the Innovative Labour Solutions Awards (ILSA), was awarded and inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Surrey.
The second-annual ILSA event took place on at the Eaglequest Coyote Golf Course.
Partners involved in the planning of this annual event included The City of Surrey-Measuring Up Committee, The Rotary Club of Surrey, Rotary-At-Work, BC, Community Living British Columbia (CLBC), WorkBC Employment Services Centres and Milieu Family Services.
Jeffrey gives her time and other resources to the local community in an effort to practice what Rotary believes and that is to render “Service Above Self” in an effort to enhance the lives of others.
Jeffrey is an advocate for the integration of Canadians with disabilities into the workforce.
In 1989, her daughter was born with Down syndrome.
Jeffrey advocates, volunteers and keeps learning to help her daughter, who is now an adult. She has broadened her volunteering experience towards advocating for all individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Some of Jeffrey’s volunteer roles have included:
• Director or Executive Board member of the Lower Mainland Down Syndrome Society
• Co-Chair, Local Organizing Committee, Canadian Down Syndrome Society- National Conferences (2003 and 2011)
• Organizing Committee Member – World Down Syndrome Congress conference (2006)
• Community Living BC (CLBC) (www.communitylivingbc.ca ): Surrey-Delta-White Rock Community Council member – (2009 to present)
• Parent representative on Council for a Surrey Association Community Living (SACL) pilot literacy project for individuals with intellectual disabilities (2009-2011)
• Community Council Vice-Chair (2011-2012) and Chair (2012-present)
• Chair, Subcommittee on Community Employment Action Plan (2013-2015).
Jeffrey currently resides in Surrey with her husband, daughter and the family cat Nala.