In 1996, Lorna Rosenstein was central in the founding of Gilda’s Toronto. To honour her memory, her commitment to lifelong volunteerism and her belief that no one should face cancer alone, the co-founders of Gilda’s Toronto created The Lorna Rosenstein Youth Volunteer Leadership Award funded through the Lorna Rosenstein Legacy Fund.
About the Award
The Lorna Rosenstein Youth Volunteer Leadership Award was created in memory of the late founder of Gilda’s Toronto. It honours her commitment to lifelong volunteerism and her belief that no one should face cancer alone. The Award will be presented to a youth between 14 and 24 who has been impacted by cancer and has shown volunteer leadership in the community. The Award recognizes the strength and resilience that can develop in a young leader who is a cancer survivor, has lived with a person with cancer or is bereaved from the death of someone close to them.
The successful applicant will be presented with the Lorna Rosenstein Youth Volunteer Leadership Award and $1,500.
The Award recipient will be connected with a mentor who will provide guidance and advice to develop the recipient’s leadership skills and support them through their educational and professional endeavours. The mentor will have experienced the impact of cancer and share insights about navigating through challenges to achieve personal success. Mentors may help connect the recipient to new resources and networks within their chosen career path.
Award Criteria
- The nominee is between 14 and 24 at the time of this application.
- The Nominee has been impacted by cancer personally or through the diagnosis of a family member.
- The nominee has recently completed a minimum of 40 volunteer hours with at least one organization.
- The nominee has fulfilled their assigned role(s) and responsibilities.
- The nominee demonstrates an understanding and commitment to the organization’s mission.
- The nominee demonstrates exceptional leadership skills, a commitment to the well–being of others, and contributes to creating a positive, respectful environment
Nominate a Youth Volunteer (or yourself!) Today – Nomination and Submission Deadline
Award nominations will be accepted starting March 18 until May 15, 2024.
The nomination form and letter(s) of support should be emailed to info@gildasclubtoronto.org with the subject line: Lorna Rosenstem Youth Volunteer Award Nomination.
The Award Presentation
The 2024 Lorna Rosenstein Youth Volunteer Leadership Award was presented to Amanda Kauffman. The 2025 award presentation date will be announced in the coming months.