With the annual Award for Excellence in Health Promotion established in 2007, the SHCHC is proud to honour individuals whose activities and initiatives have contributed to improving the health and wellness of our community. These unsung heroes deserve our recognition for their contributions to building healthy Sandy Hill and Ottawa East communities through activities such as health education, policy initiatives or increased public awareness around health issues, and who demonstrated leadership and collaborated with others to promote health and wellness in the community. 

This year, the award was presented at the Annual General Meeting, on June 25th, to Ruweida Shire, in recognition of her untiring role as a committed volunteer with the Strathcona Heights Tenants Association and resident of Strathcona Heights community. She has coordinated and organized a number of initiatives that create and sustain positive opportunities for the children and youth of Strathcona Heights. Community initiatives include a summer soccer program, an after school recreational program for children and youth, and a very successful homework club. Ruweida’s vision is that children need to be offered access to positive opportunities that allow for the development of healthy behaviours.