Honours for Victoria volunteers

By Anne Draper

Janice Attwell won the Canadian Downs Syndrome Society's (CDSS) Self Advocate of he Year Award presented in Toronto May 20,2012. Janice's mother, Conni Attwell, together with family members from Ontario, also attended the conference to help honour Janice and the CDSS for their work.

Conni Attwell is our James Bay Beacon office volunteer receptionist who greets and meets, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4pm, with a smile and a Scottish lilt in her voice. She has acquired 11 years of volunteering experience in our community and also contributes tested and tried recipes for the Beacon. Mother and daughter arrived from Ontario where Janice was born in 1963. Determined to help her daughter become as independent as possible, Conni began the journey through many years of schooling with Janice graduating from the Lucy McCormick High School in 1984. Result: a young woman who learned many skills from many teachers and graduated with strengths in arts, music as well as social skills.

March 26 found Janice posing with Mayor Dean Fortin being named Poster Girl for the walk in support of Community Social Services. Beacon Support Services at 1-3891 Douglas Street honoured Janice with Citizen of the Month award for volunteer work. She is part of of Beacon Support Services Resident Rights Group and has taken part in the writing and filming of the group's video, adding enthusiasm and talent to the film. Janice is happy to speak about Down Syndrome and her struggles to overcome disabilities associated with special needs education.

Rainbow Soup Kitchen, located in Esquimalt United Church, finds Janice helping the community resource centre preparing vegetables needed for meals served to families with low incomes. Cook Street Village Retirement Centre is another project where Janice volunteers her time and friendship. Her group home residence is a place where residents hone their skills with self sufficient laundry and kitchen chores and encourages other interests and volunteering for community events. Janice has become a leader in the Self-Advocated Group for a Brighter Future programme and is happy to share her talents and friendship with the community of Greater Victoria. Conni continues with her supporting role with her volunteer work in our James Bay neighbourhood.