Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI) bestowed awards on three individuals at its final SEDI awards gala dinner last week in Toronto.
The awards recognize the extraordinary achievements of SEDI’s many partners and program participants in expanding economic opportunity for low-income Canadians.
These are the last awards to be given out under the SEDI name, as the organization announced its new identity – Prosper Canada.
The three SEDI Award winners are:
> Passion for Financial Literacy Award – Florence Brake
Brake, a financial literacy coordinator and Trainer with Causeway Work Centre in Ottawa, is known for her contagious enthusiasm for assisting others to become more financially literate and independent.
> Investing in the Future Award – Ed Bennett
Bennett transitioned through various programs until he enrolled in SEDI’s Independent Living Account (ILA) program at Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) in Toronto. With the help of ILA, he was able to transcend addiction, issues of trauma and identity, and homelessness to build a well-balanced life and a home.
> Robert E. Elliott Award – Al Etmanski
In 1989, Vancouver social entrepreneur Al Etmanski and his wife Vickie Cammack co-founded Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) – a family-led organization created to secure the future for people with disabilities. PLAN provides advice, assistance and advocacy in relation to government benefits, home ownership, and legal and financial solutions, and has mentored over 40 similar organizations worldwide.
The first SEDI Awards were awarded in 2004 to celebrate individuals who exemplified a Canada where everyone has access to lifelong social and economic opportunity.
This year’s gala ended with the launch of SEDI’s new identity, Prosper Canada. Continuing SEDI’s mission, and as Canada’s leading champion of financial empowerment, Prosper Canada is a national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for Canadians living in poverty through program and policy innovation.