CSSEA is excited to announce this year’s 10th anniversary Community Social Services Awards of Excellence recipients. The awards were created in 2015 to recognize individuals in various stages of their careers who have made outstanding contributions to the social services sector. CSSEA thanks TELUS for its tremendous support in sponsoring these awards since the program’s inception.
On behalf of CSSEA’s member panel who reviewed and shortlisted all nominations, as well as an external judging committee who evaluated and selected the four winners, we congratulate:
Rising Star – Biljana Kuzmanovska, Director, Human Resources North Shore Disability Resource Centre, Community Living Services
Biljana joined North Shore Disability Resource Centre (NSDRC) as a payroll administrator during a difficult time for the agency. Shortly after her arrival, the HR Manager resigned, leaving a palpable gap for the agency. This was where Biljana stepped in and demonstrated her leadership and wealth of knowledge in human resources. She volunteered to take on the role of interim HR Manager and it soon became clear that she possessed a skillset far more comprehensive than was initially known. Biljana thoughtfully implemented small, yet significant, changes that started to result in a culture shift at NSDRC. One of those changes was the addition of “ME” days – an initiative that allows for personal time off without the need for justification or explanation. Biljana also reimagined the performance review process, transforming it to an ongoing dialogue as opposed a once-per-year undertaking. Biljana also organized the agency’s first-ever Human Resources Career Open House, which engaged the community, streamlined the hiring process and resulted in 17 interviews and one successful hire. Not surprisingly, Biljana quickly rose the ranks and was promoted to Director of HR, a role that she has continued to shape and excel at for nearly three years.
Hero – Jeannie Hollis, Manager, Teddy Bear Daycare Kootenai Community Centre Society Associate
Jeanie Hollis can objectively be considered the face of Creston’s Teddy Bear Daycare. Having worked there for nearly 40 years, Jeanie is a steadfast, respected and integral part of the organization, as well as the community at large. Having started her own Early Childhood Education (ECE) career at Teddy Bear, Jeanie has had a hand in adapting and evolving the program to meet the needs of local families. She has honed her skills and gained specializations in areas such as neurodiversity, fetal alcohol syndrome, multicultural education and accessibility for children with diverse needs. She has also adapted the daycare’s offerings to make parents’ lives easier, for example, coordinating a bus service to shuttle children from half-day kindergarten to the daycare. Perhaps Jeanie’s greatest achievement has been her willingness to mentor aspiring ECEs through on-site practicums. Her enthusiasm in sharing knowledge and opening the doors of the daycare has made her a hero to up-and-comers in the entire Kootenay region. As Teddy Bear Daycare is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Jeanie stands as a shining example of the program’s dedication to the community. Through her service, she has impacted over 1,000 children, many of whom have now brought their own kids to make new memories at Teddy Bear Day Care.
Leader – Tara Tschritter, Turning Points Collaborative Society General Services
A passionate social justice advocate with a deep commitment to addressing homelessness, Tara Tschritter embodies what it means to serve. She devoted most of her career to working in the social services, both for private and non-profit agencies, and in that time worked at a volunteer-run shelter program and a temporary emergency shelter. In 2020 Tara stepped into her current role at Turning Points Collaborative Society, where she has grown and strengthened accessibility to housing in the southern interior. Tara oversees eight programs in the region and supervises dozens of staff, including program managers, coordinators, health care aides and front-line workers. While that would be considered by most to be a full plate, Tara is also a presence on the front lines, as she serves as Site Manager of the agency’s Trailside Transitional Housing program. Among her many accomplishments, Tara is credited with implementing a shelter diversion program, an innovative holistic harm reduction program and partnering with various housing organizations to support seniors and individuals with disabilities. Tara is highly respected by her team for her vision and leadership, and beloved by the individuals and communities served for her ability to see gaps in service and collaborate with all necessary partners to ensure unhoused individuals live with dignity and respect.
Legend - David Young, President and CEO (retired January 2025), Sources Community Resource Centres General Services
With a resume that reads like a dictionary of achievements, David Young has seemingly done it all. From serving as Assistant Deputy Minister with the BC Government to volunteering on a slew of Boards and accreditation councils, to receiving prestigious awards like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal and King Charles III Coronation Medal, David is a model example of what it means to spend one’s whole career giving back. David is best known in his role as President and CEO of Sources Community Resources Society, where he spent 17 years identifying the needs of the community and building thoughtful programming to support those needs. Sources provides over 50 programs supporting infants to seniors, including mental health services, community law clinics, employment programs, food services, trauma counselling, and more. David has been instrumental in the growth and reach of Sources, having transformed it from a $5 million to $50 million agency during his tenure. Despite his impressive accomplishments, David, now retired, will be more fondly remembered by his colleagues as a compassionate leader and genuine human being who truly lived in service to the community.
2025 AGM and Conference
Our four recipients will be honoured at the 2025 Community Social Services Awards of Excellence, which will take place October 9 from 12:00 to 2:30pm at the Delta Resorts Grand Okanagan Hotel in Kelowna. The awards will be held as part of CSSEA’s AGM and Conference, Sparking Innovation, which you can register for here. Individual luncheon tickets can be purchased through the registration page. We look forward to celebrating our deserving recipients with you in Kelowna.