Awards
Each year, SLSC presents awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to SLSC’s mission and goals. A description of each award is provided below, along with a photo of the award’s namesake and the list of recipients.
The Lifetime Commitment Award
The Lifetime Commitment Award recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves to the purpose and vision of St. Leonard’s Society of Canada. It celebrates their commitment, integrity, and outstanding achievements that have both inspired and challenged our organization.
This award was originally titled the ‘Braithwaite Award’ to honour John Braithwaite, who was a champion of community corrections and St. Leonard’s. Mr. Braithwaite promoted progressive corrections on national and international stages throughout his career, inspiring SLSC through his words, dedication, and actions. It was first awarded in 2003 and was renamed the ‘Lifetime Commitment Award’ in 2025.
Past Winners
- Rebecca (Becky) Howse (2024)
- Rick Sauvé (2022)
- Michel Gagnon (2021)
- Mike Horne (2021)
- John T. Clinton (2020)
- John Braithwaite (2019)
- Darrell Rowe (2017)
- Elizabeth White (2016)
- Mary Campbell (2015)
- Joe Mell (2013)
- John Sawdon (2010)
- Barbara Nehiley (2008)
- Donald G. Evans (2007)
- Lou Drouillard (2005)
- Roy Dungey & Wilma Douglas-Dungey (2003)
2024 Braithwaite Award Recipient, Rebecca Howse, with Darrell Rowe (SLSP).
The Community Collaborator Award
The Community Collaborator Award recognizes individuals and entities outside St. Leonard’s Society of Canada and its member organizations whose courageous support of community corrections has contributed to advancing our purpose. This award celebrates exemplary partnership and collaboration through service or actions that have resulted in cultivating communities that are more safe, healthy, equitable, and inclusive.
In 2025, two existing awards, the ‘Cody Award’ and the ‘Gallagher Award’, were combined to be come the ‘Community Collaborator Award.
The original ‘Cody Award’ was established to honour Bishop John C. Cody of London, ON, who was courageous and generous in helping to found St. Leonard’s House-Windsor at a time of intense public opposition. It was first awarded in 1976.
The original ‘Gallagher Award’ was established to honour Ray Gallagher who served as the Executive Director of St. Leonard’s Community Services London & Region, and who had lived experience of being involved with the justice system earlier in his life. It was first awarded in 1992.
Past Winners
- Dr. Carey Sturgeon (2023)
- Gibson & Lansdale Neighbourhood Association (2019)
- Stinson Community Association (2019)
- Justice Heather Perkins-McVey (2017)
- Louis Gouin (2012)
- Michael Crowley (2010)
- Dr. Alan Leschied (2009)
- Michael Elkins (2008)
- Peter Wickwine (2008)
- Johnathon Bancroft-Snell (2007)
- William David Harrow (2004)
- Lucie McClung (2003)
- James Murphy (2002)
- Canon Sydney Davies (2001)
- Mike Elkins (2000)
- Brendan Reynolds (1999)
- Ben O’Brien (1998)
- Bernie Kroeker (1997)
- Willie Gibbs (1997)
- Doug Bonisteel (1997)
- Wayne Oster (1996)
- Judge Saul
- Nosanchuck (1994)
- Fred Luciani (1992)
- Senator Earl A. Hastings (1992)
- Judge James Kent (1990)
- Bill Davis (1985)
- Marnie Knetchel (1983)
- Atkinson Foundation (1982)
- Louis Zeitoun (1981)
- John Braithwaite (1980)
- The Hon. R. Roy McMurty (1979)
- The Hon. Frank Drea (1978)
- Warren Allmand (1978)
- Phyllis Haslam (1976)
- Rev. T. Neil Libby (1976)
- Dan Kunic (2021)
- Monica Mavrak (2020)
- Lisa Bayne (2019)
- Lori MacDonald (2015)
- Réjean Tremblay (2013)
- Bev Arsenault (2011)
- Vince Henderson (2010)
- Mme. Justice Deborah Lingstone (2009)
- Pat Banning (2003)
- Gilles Thibault (2002)
- David Cail (2001)
- Barry Turnbull (2000)
- Brian Lang (1999)
- Les Judson (1998)
- John Currie (1997)
- Vince Macdonald (1992)
2023 Cody Award Recipient, Dr. Carey Sturgeon, with Michael Oates (SLCS).
The Excellence in Mentorship Award
The Excellence in Mentorship Award recognizes individuals who embody a spirit of mentorship that is forward-thinking, while remaining grounded in the purpose, vision and values of St. Leonard’s Society of Canada.
This award was originally titled the ‘Elizabeth White Award for Mentorship’ to honour Elizabeth White who served as SLSC’s Executive Director from 1996 to 2016. Throughout that time, she consistently took efforts to mentor colleagues, cultivating a new, more diverse, forward-thinking generation of future leaders in the community and social justice sector. It was first awarded in 2022 and was renamed the ‘Excellence in Mentorship Award’ in 2025.
Past Winners
- Brandon Wilson (2024)
- Anita Desai (2024)
- Kerri Cushing-Mitchener (2022)
2024 Elizabeth White Award Recipient, Brandon Wilson, with Anne Murphy (SLSC), Anita Desai (SLSC) & Michael Oates (SLCS).
2024 Elizabeth White Award Recipient, Anita Desai, with Danielle Kouri (SLSC) & Anne Murphy (SLSC/SLHW).
The Continuing Education Award
The Continuing Education Award recognizes individuals who live or work at SLSC member organizations, who have demonstrated dedication to their personal growth and are pursuing training or education. Recipients are eligible to receive a bursary to support their education or training
Click here to donate to the Continuing Education Fund!
This award was originally titled the ‘The Libby Memorial Fund’, which was created in memory of SLSC’s founder, Rev. T. Neil Libby, by the Dungey family of Vancouver. It honours Libby’s dedication to the importance of education in habilitation. The fund has benefitted from contributions by foundations, individuals, and members. It was first awarded in 1980 and was renamed the ‘X Award’ in 2025.
Past Winners
- Thomas Dujmic (2022)
- Kevin Madden (2021)
- Alan Steele (2019)
- Travis Lazier-Gray (2018)
- Jame Alexander Donald (2017)
- Steve Martel (2016)
- Sarah Crivea (2014)
- Akil Adu-Bekoe (2013)
- Alfred Scott (2012)
- Devan Kohlmeier (2011)
- Kenneth Dunn (2009)
- Christopher Halls (2006)
- James Larocque (2003)
- Tracey-Lee Thornbury (2002)
- Gary Hingley (2001)
- Renée Wears (2000)
- Anthony Campbell (2000)
- Cheryl Ingsley (1998)
- Cindy Borg (1998)
- Sonya Spencer (1997)
- Ron DeRoches (1997)
- Dennis Neveu (1997)
- Richard Phillips (1996)
- Guy Lount (1995)
- Michael Dean (1994)
- Timothy Bishop (1993)
- Diego Bronstein (1993)
- Dan Ray (1993)
- Gerry Bezanson (1993)
- Beverly Baxter (1992)
- Cheryl Torrance (1992)
- Calvin Henschell (1992)
- Andrew Schoenhardt (1991)
- K. Laing (1990)
- Dan Gordon (1987)
- Wayne Ford (1985)
- Dave Gervais (1985)
- Mr. Linguist (1985)
- David Drake (1983)
- Andrew Welch (1983)
- Barbara Bennett-Bergeron (1983)
- Mr. Robitaille (1982)
- Ray Gallagher (1980)
- John Sawdon (1980)
The Community Impact Award
This Community Impact Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions towards transformative change within and beyond the criminal justice system to cultivate safe, healthy, equitable, and inclusive communities.
This award was originally titled the ‘Luxton Award’ to honour Bishop George N. Luxton, who supported significant investments to help establish the original St. Leonard’s halfway house in Windsor, Ontario, as well as SLSC as a national organization. It was first awarded in 1981 and was renamed the ‘Community Impact Award’ in 2025.
Past Winners
- Kelly Nolan (2024)
- Rod Fairey (2024)
- Tracey Cortes (2023)
- Stu Diggon (2023)
- Michelle Graham (2022)
- Michel Dunn (2021)
- Merrikay Snelgrove (2019)
- Monica Ross (2018)
- Michel Gagnon (2015)
- Susan Haines (2015)
- Gilles Thibault (2012)
- Doug Caldwell (2012)
- Don Boudreau (2011)
- David Whiteley (2011)
- Elizabeth White (2010)
- Richard Brown (2009)
- Peter Aharan (2008)
- Jerry Smyth (2008)
- Darrell Rowe (2007)
- John Clinton (2006)
- Rebecca Howse (2005)
- Edward ‘Skip’ Graham (2005)
- Joanne Knox (2004)
- Paulah Dauns (2003)
- Pauline Lambert (2002)
- Barbara Nehiley (2001)
- Joe Mell (2000)
- Lynne Watts (1999)
- Wilma Douglas-Dungey (1999)
- Jim Roxborough (1998)
- Walter Huculak (1997)
- Don Simmons (1997)
- Mike Walsh (1996)
- Roy Dungey (1995)
- Gary Hicks (1993)
- Hershey Rose (1992)
- George Anderson (1991)
- Irene Evans (1991)
- Lou Drouillard (1990)
- Paul Vegina (1989)
- Joan Atkinson (1988)
- Yvon Leblanc (1988)
- Ray Gallagher (1987)
- Bill McGrath (1986)
- Jerry Hames (1986)
- Mildred Cusack (1986)
- Roger Laforme (1985)
- Dorothy Freel (1984)
- Irene Girard (1983)
- The Jaarsma’s (1983)
- Joyce Waters (1983)
- Judge James Kent (1982)
- Madge Upcott (1982)
- Kenneth Bolton (1981)
2024 Luxton Award Recipient, Kelly Nolan, with Anne Murphy (SLSC/SLHW) & Anita Desai (SLSC).
