Deryck Thomson Award

Most people do not have to think about transportation or how they are going to get around their community. However, for people with disabilities, the experience can be different. A ground-breaking study completed by Harris/NOD (2004) found that 30 percent of people with disabilities reported difficulty finding suitable transportation compared to 10 percent of the general population. In the City of Kamloops, People in Motion observed that the transportation choices for people with disabilities were significantly constrained not only in terms of the services that were available but also in terms of the types of physical barriers they experienced. This included the lack of accessible bus stops which were preventing people who rely on the use of mobility aids from getting around the community using conventional transportation. As well, there were limitations around the availability of HandyDART services and in terms of access to taxis and other private transportation options. Through her role as the Executive Director of People in Motion Kamloops, Debora brought together organizations like Toyota Canada to help her to get a van and to establish the Memories in Motion Program. Debora also recently secured a second van through her on-going advocacy and the support of the financial consulting firm of Deloitte Canada. Through Memories in Motion, people with disabilities and those with health and activity limitations can participate in the little things that bring joy in life or get the support that they need when dealing with a health crisis and where they do not have to worry about transportation. Activities offered through Memories in Motion which operates through a pay what you can model, allow people to attend celebration of life events, engage in ‘just because’ activities, enjoy a tour of the Christmas lights, get to play or watch different adaptive sports programs, as well as visit favourite family locations or memories as they are nearing the end of their life. The program also help to fill in many gaps within our current system of care including helping people to get home from the hospital if they are discharged after hours, get to out of town medical appointments, as well as get to the City-run ‘cooling centres’ during periods of extreme heat. While the program is supported by a number of volunteer drivers, Debora is also known to get into the van and help out if there is a need.

Elder Lorelei Hawkins is an important voice on the issue of homelessness and a tireless advocate about the needs of families and individuals living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Lorelei has a powerful story and history that she shares freely with people as a way of helping to raise awareness and build a deeper sense of understanding and empathy around what it means to be homeless. Lorelei’s story starts with her being taken away from her family just as she was turning five years old and then describes her experience as she cycled through twenty-two different foster homes, was forced into the residential school system, and experienced domestic violence as a young woman in her first marriage which resulted in her becoming homeless. Lorelei is passionate about ensuring that people have a place where they can live, a door that they can close and a place that they can truly call their home. To build a deeper sense of understanding about Lorelei and her numerous contributions, the following is an excerpt from a presentation that Lorelei gave to the Greater Vancouver Reaching Home Community Advisory Committee as part of a larger regional housing and homelessness forum.

“I said it would be nice if you had a place where you can just go and you can close the door. Where you had a door that you could lock so that other people were not coming in and where you were not scared, where you could stop and sleep. Sleep is one of the biggest things in homelessness because you are on this treadmill and you just – even if you are only physically stopped like this, your mind is still racing. So, it is important to have that security and sense of safety that to stop and to just stay put for a while…” 

In talking about her history working with community Lorelei observed that one thing that she is proud of is the fact that not only did we do things differently, but that we recognize that there is the need to do things differently.

Marla Reed is not only known to SPARC BC for her years of service to SPARC BC’s Board of Directors, but Marla is also known across the Peace River Regional District for her belief in ‘radical inclusion’, and her commitment to working to ensure that all citizens have their basic needs met. In addition to her longtime commitment to inclusion for people with intellectual and development disabilities through her role as the Executive Director for the Dawson Creek Society for Community Living, Marla has also become actively engaged in working to ensure that seniors living in the Peace River Regional District are able to get access to the services and supports they need to successfully age in place. This included the development of a trial program which was launched in 2020 with the support of the regional district and was designed to deliver home cooked meals to seniors living in the Peace River region. Covering 12,000 square kilometers and 168 locations, the program was recognized for its innovation, creativity and caring. In 2022, the region voted through referendum to formalize the program. 

Moving Forward Family Services is a non-profit society and charitable organization that offers free short-term and affordable longer-term counselling options for people across British Columbia who are unable to access affordable local support. The services are delivered by registered therapists who provide supervision to students in social work and counselling who are in the final months of their training. Staffing for Moving Forward Family Services includes oversight by Gary Thandi, the principle and founder, as well as approximately 17 trained therapists and by approximately 150 students.  The model itself does not rely on traditional sources of funding but is driven by Gary and members of the therapeutic community who offer their services on a sliding scale because they are passionate about the work they do and are committed to creating a world where no one is denied counselling because of financial constraints. Early in his career, Gary recognized that people were getting trapped in the gaps in traditional services and work to create this model where anyone who needs support can get the support they need.  In 2024, 22,000 counselling sessions were offered by the team of which 15,000 sessions were offered at no cost. At the same time, the average fees for the paid sessions were between $5 and $7 per session. Gary has received multiple awards of distinction for his dedication and service to community through the BC Achievement Foundation’s Community Award, the BC Crime Prevention-Safer Communities Award, and the 2024 Canadian Association of Social Workers’ Distinguished Service Award. While Gary has worked in traditional roles in settlement services, victim services, corrections, health and education, it is belief in the power of people and communities coming together for positive change that allowed him to create Moving Forward Family Services.

Jesse Vea began his work in the field of mental health and addictions by drawing on the knowledge and frontline experience he gained supporting people with complex needs. Motivated by a commitment to reduce barriers and improve access to essential resources, Jesse founded Helping Hands Universal Outreach Society, an independent, community-driven non-profit organization focused on outreach, advocacy, and navigation supports.

Through Helping Hands Universal Outreach Society, Jesse assists individuals in securing identification, accessing detox and treatment services, connecting with housing supports, obtaining transportation, and navigating community resources. His work is grounded in compassion, and a deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by people who use substances.

Jesse’s community-based efforts are closely connected to the ongoing work of the Surrey Overdose Prevention Community Action Team (CAT). His relationship with the Surrey CAT began through earlier peer-informed initiatives that aligned with CAT’s goals of improving access to supports for people affected by the overdose crisis. As CAT has continued to champion collaborative, peer-driven approaches in Surrey, Jesse has remained an active partner and advocate—ensuring that grassroots, on-the-ground perspectives remain central to the development of local overdose prevention strategies.

By establishing Helping Hands Universal Outreach Society, Jesse created a sustainable platform to continue and expand the work he has been doing alongside community partners like the Surrey CAT. Today, he continues to grow in his role as a peer leader and mentor, contributing to a stronger, more compassionate network of support for individuals navigating addiction, recovery, and systemic barriers.