“Speechless and humbled” is how Juanita Black is feeling about being the Saint John YMCA’s 2022 Red Triangle Award recipient.
A longtime resident of Crescent Valley, Black is known for her work as a poverty advocate and with the Around the Block community newspaper which serves the priority neighbourhoods.
“It connects the communities together. It lets each community know what everybody is doing. There’s food banks, food depots, clothing depots and nursing care,” Black said.
Black was asked what kind of improvement she has seen after working for many years in Crescent Valley.
“Once the residents learned that if they get out and take ownership of their own community, the community partners will step in too. You have to take ownership and show you care and your community cares or you are not going to go forward. With the Crescent Valley Tenants Association that’s been there for 30 years and now the Crescent Valley Resource Centre that’s been there for 12, we have everybody working together to bring better news to the community,” Black said.
The Leader to Watch award winner is Nicole Vair, a former Saint John YCMA employee who still serves on two committees.
“I am on the Y’s Youth Council and the Strategic Task Force helping to plan the future of the Y,” Vair said.
Vair said she was feeling nervous adding it feels weird to talk about yourself adding she and Juanita can both talk a lot about the community but it’s harder to speak about themselves.
She was also feeling very honoured.
“One of my biggest mentors, Cindy Floyd, nominated me for this award. It’s just really touching because she has inspired me a lot to give back to the community and to grow personally and professionally,” Vair said.
Vair now works with Envision Saint John.
“We are thrilled to be honouring such dedicated and community-focused individuals,” said Shilo Boucher, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Saint John. “For 32 years, The Red Triangle Awards have been about celebrating people in the Greater Saint John area who make a difference in the lives of others; role models that lead by example. Juanita Black and Nicole Vair are making a difference in our community every day.”
Again this year, Emera New Brunswick is the presenting sponsor of the event.
“Emera New Brunswick would like to offer our sincere congratulations to this year’s award recipients,” said Emera New Brunswick General Manager Ryan O’Hara. “Your commitment and service to the community has made a tremendous difference to many people. Emera New Brunswick is proud to be part of this community and proud to be part of the Red Triangle Awards. The YMCA has been leading our community for many years, and through this event, they also help recognize the leadership of others.”
The 2022 Red Triangle Award Gala will return to an in-person format and be held at the Irving Oil Field House on May 26th.
The Saint John Regional Y holding an in person news event to announce the 2022 Red Triangle/Leader to Watch recipient. pic.twitter.com/gC5aNEb26L
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) March 17, 2022
