Georgian alumna and community members honoured with Newcomer Recognition Awards

Nov. 22, 2024

Georgian College is proud of its diverse community and the incredible accomplishments of students, employees and alumni. One alumna and three members of the Georgian community were recently honoured at the 12^th annual Simcoe County Newcomer Recognition Awards.

Aradhana Julie Kumar

Aradhana Julie Kumar, Georgian College alumna (class of 2007), received the Immigrant Mentor Award at the County of Simcoe Newcomer Recognition Awards.

Aradhana is a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and has been making a profound impact in her community since 2015. As a co-founder of the BWG Diversity Action Group and Rise Up BWG, Aradhana empowers immigrant and newcomer communities through cultural events that celebrate diversity, fostering a sense of belonging for all.

Aradhana’s story began at Georgian as an international student, where she earned a postgraduate certificate in human resource management. Post graduation, she’s held roles at Scotiabank and South Simcoe Police, where she spent 14 years leading HR efforts.

Today, Aradhana runs her consulting and coaching practice, Thrive Culture, specializing in inclusive leadership and organizational excellence. With a Master’s degree and a nomination for the Governor General’s Gold Medal, Aradhana continues to expand her expertise, inspiring inclusive spaces and transformative change throughout the region.

Arriving in Canada in 2006, Aradhana’s own journey as an immigrant helped shape her passion for supporting others. She’s served on the Executive Board of the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.) and as a board member for the Ethnic Mosaic Association, as well as Bradford West Gwillimbury’s Mayor’s Anti-Racism Advisory Panel. Her initiatives, including the Annual Multicultural Festival, Diwali, and Black History Month events, create welcoming spaces where immigrants can share their heritage and connect with the wider community.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Aradhana’s efforts were crucial in ensuring health information reached non-English-speaking immigrants, furthering her dedication to creating safe spaces for all. Her work on the Simcoe County Ethno-Cultural Directory and the “IT STARTS” anti-racism initiative exemplifies her commitment to promoting diversity and understanding.

Aradhana’s story highlights how Georgian’s international alumni make a significant impact by enriching communities and fostering growth across the region. Their global perspectives, skills and dedication contribute to local businesses, cultural diversity and support systems, enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

Patricia Bradbury

Patricia Bradbury is an award-winning English language teacher with decades of experience supporting immigrants. She was the recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award. Her teaching experience ranges from Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong wanting to learn English to internationally trained journalism professionals wanting to work in that field in Canada. She joined Georgian in 2016 to teach Occupation-specific Language Training (OSLT).

Highlights:

• Long-term board member of A Circle of Friends for Newcomers, an organization providing support to newcomers in the Hamilton area.
• Offered support for the Job Finding Club for Immigrants, connecting with contacts and newcomers, giving voices to immigrant experiences and hope to the participants.
• Supported and organized several events for The Shoe Project. This project provides a platform for newcomer women to tell the story of their journey to Canada through the footwear that carried them here. With over 250 stories, The Shoe Project is an important vehicle to give voice to stories – and women who may not have had the ability to share their stories.

Travis and Gaylene Hallyburton

Travis and Gaylene Hallyburton of Hillsdale Service Centre exemplify an unwavering commitment to supporting newcomers in their professional journeys. They received the Career Mobility Award.  Despite being a small family-run business, they’ve demonstrated exceptional dedication to fostering career growth and mobility for immigrants.

Highlights:

• Provided language support during the candidate interview process allowing them to recognize mechanical skills needed on the job.
• Fostered community engagement through involvement in extracurricular activities to help build a sense of community and belonging, which is crucial for the overall well-being and integration of newcomers.
• Provided coaching and mentorship to increase success in local job markets focusing on knowledge and skill building.

Rob Hilton

Rob Hilton and the team at AG Secure show exceptional dedication to inclusive housing practices, ensuring safe and affordable housing for newcomers, including Georgian College students with families. Rob was honoured with the Inclusive Housing Practices Award. Their approach to property management addresses the unique challenges faced by these students, notably by accepting Canadian entrance financials (GICs) instead of traditional Canadian work history as proof of financial stability. This thoughtful change has opened doors for many students who would otherwise struggle to secure housing.

Highlights:

• Worked closely with homeowners, many of whom are newcomers themselves, to match students with suitable housing.
• Fostered a sense of community and belonging through an empathetic, realistic approach to property management.
• Ensured stable, long-term housing options for newcomers, improving their quality of life and setting a high standard for property management in Simcoe County.

Michaela Venter

Michaela, a Lakehead-Georgian student, received the Youth Award for her determination, spirit, and resilience. Moving to Canada, Michaela embraced the country’s culture as her own. Anyone who knows Michaela is instantly taken with her and is proud to call her a friend.  She’s got a bright future ahead of her and has set her sights on a degree in medicine. Since this wasn’t possible in her home country, she’s worked diligently and tirelessly to pursue her dreams.

Highlights:

• Michaela has persevered through racism and gender discrimination to pursue her dream of a career in the medical field.
• She has consistently excelled academically and has a passion for learning.
• Michaela has also overcome challenges, demonstrating resilience and determination to succeed.