In 2018, the award was presented at the Annual General Meeting on June 27th to Johara Aden, in recognition of her leadership by strengthening health knowledge and skills, sustaining environment supportive of health and having a significant impact in the community of Strathcona Heights.

Johara came to Canada in 1998 as a Somali refugee. As a single mother of two, she struggled to finish high school, and in 2014 she graduated from Algonquin College, the Office Administration Program.

Johara has been a resident of Strathcona Heights for over 10 years, and daily she contributes tirelessly to her community. As a community leader and volunteer, she gives freely of her time to increase the health and wellbeing of her neighbourhood, and her life experience is indispensable in supporting others to integrate into the Canadian life. She loves helping her community, and it gives her much pleasure to assist those in need and to put a smile on kids’ faces.