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| Wanda Thomas Bernard is ±«Óătv's Director of Social Work. |
Courage is one of the most essential virtues of a hero. But how do you define courage? And more importantly, who do you consider a hero?
These days, not every hero can be identified by their trusty white steed and their shining suit of armor. The modern face of courage has many different forms and can sometimes be the face of someone you least expect.
For the past five years, The Courage To Give Back Awards presented by Family SOS has formally honored extraordinary unsung heroes in our community. These individuals have overcome personal adversity and have inspired others in the process.
This year, there is an extra special ±«Óătv connection to the awards. Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard, director of the ±«Óătv School of Social Work, will be the Awards Ambassador and keynote speaker at the event.
“I am so incredibly excited to be able to work with such a strong, articulate, passionate and vibrant woman as Dr. Bernard,” says Monique Auffrey, director of Family SOS.
Family SOS is a grassroots organization that provides programs and services to help strengthen families. This child-centered organization seeks to empower relationships within families with an emphasis on working with families in their homes and communities.
“As an educator in the field of social work, I’m teaching people who are going to be working with the disadvantaged,” says Wanda Thomas Bernard. “Because I support the work of Family SOS, I was delighted when I was asked to be an Awards Ambassador.”
Family SOS has been active in the Halifax community for over 30 years. The Courage to Give Back Awards came about as a way to acknowledge that normal people are capable of great things.
“Eveybody goes through a time of crisis at some point in their lives. It’s the ability to look beyond and rise to the occasion rather than fall through the cracks that we wanted to acknowledge,” says Ms. Auffrey.
The Courage to Give Back Awards will take place on Thursday, January 20 at the Cunard Centre.