Bringing about change starts on a personal level. For an individual to inspire a community is something to be celebrated.
On May 2, the BC Achievement Foundation announced the recipients for the 2023 Community Awards. Among the recipients were Connie Cocchia of West Vancouver, and Don Philip Peters from North Vancouver.
The awards were announced by foundation chair Walter Pela and by Premier David Eby. Recipients were honoured from across the province for making their communities healthier, happier and more inclusive.
Cocchia was recognized for her phenomenal advocacy within the autism community. Cocchia created Growing Together, a sibling support group that holds a variety of activities including panels and workshops aimed at connecting siblings, and to provide support for those who have siblings with autism and related disorders.
Recently Cocchia wrote, directed and produced her first feature film, When Time Got Louder, which premiered at the Frameline international LGBTQ+ film festival in San Francisco.The film has been featured in over twenty film festivals worldwide, and Cocchia has been praised for her authentic and inclusive casting.
Also hailing from the North Shore, Peters received a community award for his continued philanthropic work with the Community Housing Action Committee. Peters is chair of the CHAC, a non-partisan group of volunteers dedicated to developing affordable housing opportunities.
“Don is a principled, respected and an effective community leader and advocate. I’m honoured to have the opportunity to support his nomination for this award,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale.
“Don has been at the forefront advocating for affordable housing on the North Shore as its chair since 2004. During this time, he has brought immense energy and enthusiasm into his work championing affordable, accessible and appropriate housing for those in our community most in need.”
The community awards will be formally presented in Victoria on May 10, and will be livestreamed by the BC Achievement Foundation. For the full list of recipients, and for more information on the award ceremony, visit the foundation’s website.
Jordan Copp is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. He can be contacted at [email protected].
