On October 21, York Region CAS CEO, Ginelle Skerritt was presented with the prestigious Leadership Award at the 2023 Afroglobal Television Excellence Awards program presented by the 24-hour Afroglobal Television channel, Silvertrust Media as well as the Transformation Institute for Leadership & Innovation.
The awards program recognizes distinguished Canadians and international recipients to celebrate the best of Africa & the global Diaspora.
Please refer to Ginelle’s thank you message below and her three action items to help strengthen leadership on behalf of children and youth:
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Asante Sana, Ayekoo!
Thank you to the Afroglobal awards selection committee for creating this opportunity to recognize, uplift and inspire our communities and our nation.
I give thanks and praises to Gyenyame the divine creator and honour the legacy of our ancestors.
I thank my parents, family members and community for pouring into me, and I especially thank my amazing husband for being a true partner in this life.
Two years ago, I walked into the challenging role of CEO at the York Region Children’s Aid Society and I am so fortunate to have met a group of people in the organization… from the brilliant leaders on staff at every level to the volunteers on our board and the foster and adoptive parents who support children in those times when they most need to belong, to be nurtured and to be safe.
I am delighted to be part of the change we all want to see in child welfare, a change that is particularly necessary for Black and Indigenous children and youth.
I have met people from across the country who demonstrate the principle of Ubuntu, we are, therefore, I am.
They know that keeping the children well is a shared responsibility.
I present a gentle request to consider doing 3 THINGS to strengthen our leadership on behalf of children and youth:
- BECOME A FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE PARENT. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CAS to find out how you can do that
- TAKE ACTION TO SAVE THE PLANET ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN YET TO BE BORN
- CHECK-IN TO MAKE SURE THE CHILDREN AROUND YOU ARE WELL and do something to contribute to their safety and well-being.
I share this honour with all those who are already leading in their communities in these ways, and I accept this award, with deep appreciation.
Ase
Ginelle Skerritt
