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Past winners

Congratulations to our award-winning community members whose time and efforts have improved the world around them.

Assaf Azerrad

Assaf Azerrad

Assaf Azerrad has played a key leadership role in the Concordia chapter of the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP) since 2021, in addition to serving on its national board. CSSDP is a Canada-wide network of students advocating for evidence-based responses to reduce and prevent harms associated with drug use and criminalization.

Assaf is CSSDP Concordia’s main outreach person, responsible for creating connections with other harm reduction organizations in Montreal, such as CACTUS Montreal and GRIP. In his role, Assaf mobilizes volunteers, creating opportunities for other students to join the movement, organizing events, and building relationships with external organizations. Assaf was at the forefront of creating the first substance analysis service available for Concordia students and the wider community, the Drugs Meet Test, out of Le Frigo Vert. His work has been instrumental in promoting harm reduction for students on campus and in the wider community as well as changing the way students who use drugs are treated and seen by the Concordia and Montreal community. Assaf’s contributions are especially important given the overdose and drug poisoning crisis in Montreal. 

John Nathaniel Gertler

John Nathaniel Gertler

John Nathaniel Gertler has been volunteering at Resilience Montreal, a low-threshold day-shelter serving the homeless population near Cabot Square, since 2021. He has been one of the organization’s most dependable volunteers, going above and beyond to help them with daily activities and saving the day on more than one occasion. During his time at Resilience, John Nathaniel has coordinated multiple clothing drives, assisted with donation pick-ups, and made meaningful connections with the organization's regular clients.

Previously, John Nathaniel volunteered with the Dawson Green Earth Club, organizing events to raise awareness of environmental issues. He is also one of the founders of the Atwater Community Pantry Project, a student-led initiative out of Dawson College that provides low-barrier access to free food. His involvement shows a deep commitment to food security, sustainability, and social justice.

Michael Lecchino

Michael Lecchino

Michael Lecchino is a dedicated volunteer, having given more than 1700 hours in the past 3 years. Michael represents the voices of students and young citizens by addressing pressing issues, strategizing workable solutions, meeting with key stakeholders, and developing youth-led initiatives.

Many of his volunteer roles include being one of the founding members of Conseil jeunesse de LaSalle, representing Canada at the 2022 G7 Youth Summit in Berlin, serving as a board member of the Fondation de l'Hôpital LaSalle and of Youth for Youth Québec, and acting as a youth council member of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada as well as of the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity. He is also a Chantiers Jeunesse project coordinator and an organizer for TEDxMontréal.

At Concordia, Michael is an independent director on the Commerce and Administration Students' Association board and an elected councilor at the Concordia Student Union, where he sits on academic senate and the library services fund committee. He is also an academic delegate in the John Molson Competition Committee. The breadth of Michael’s involvement is exceptional and demonstrates a deep commitment to promoting youth voices. 

Vanessa Manroop

Vanessa Manroop

Vanessa Manroop began volunteering as a teenager, first with her church and then eventually with the West Island Black Community Association, working with youth and seniors. Since 2020, Vanessa has been the volunteer Treasurer and a mentor for Black Girls Gather, a book club for young Black women to read, learn about, and discuss literature by Black writers. The program was created to build a network of support from peer mentors. Through this and other work Vanessa has shown both locally and at Concordia that she is dedicated to ensuring that spaces are created for Black youth to connect with each other and to the larger community. Vanessa has also been involved in volunteering on campus with the JMSB Casa Cares Fashion Show.

This fall, she was recognized by the Canada Volunteer Awards Program as an emerging leader for the region of Quebec for her leadership and contributions to her community. She was also recently named one of CBC’s Black Changemakers, recognized for her community work and the way she is inspiring others and helping to shape the future. In all her volunteer roles, Vanessa has shown innovation, perseverance, leadership, and a passion for the community. 

Marian Pinsky

Marian Pinsky

Marian Pinsky is a lifelong volunteer who has made enormous contributions to the Concordia community and beyond. In 2006, she co-founded the ChangeMakers, a group of young professionals who provide logistical support for on-site fundraising events for non-profit and community organizations.

Marian currently acts as the coordinator for ChangeMakers, establishing connections with non-profits, recruiting and training volunteers, and overseeing logistics. With her team, she has collaborated with organizations such as Cedars Cancer Foundation, the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation, and the Missing Children’s Network. Prior to this, she spent 15 years coordinating The Starburst Entertainers, a youth troupe performing in senior residences to raise funds for disaster response, among other causes.

Marian's leadership has inspired many to get involved in volunteering, and she builds her team up with confidence. Those who have worked with her describe her as having unparallel commitment, efficiency, and reliability. 

Lhalyn Valencia

Lhalyn Valencia

Lhalyn Valencia is currently a Co-President of the Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students 

(FOCUS). The club’s mission is to connect students, celebrate Filipinx identity, and challenge issues in the community. Prior to serving as Co-President, she was part of FOCUS’ multimedia committee, contributing her creativity and graphic design skills. Lhalyn’s volunteering journey began in 2018 during her first semester at Concordia University, when she joined the CU Volunteer Crew (formerly Community Compass). There she took part in numerous group volunteering projects in local non-profits.

In 2019, Lhalyn began volunteering at the Saint Antoine 50+ Community, helping with meals, activities, and lending a hand wherever it was needed. She also participated in numerous other projects, such as helping with a Montreal-wide food drive, spending a week at a camp for youth with special needs, and organizing food donations at the Welcome Hall Mission.

Lhalyn’s motivation to help others is contagious, and she always shows up with a smile and a group of friends, ready to get to work. 

Space Concordia Rocketry STEM Ambassadors

Space Concordia Rocketry STEM Ambassadors

The Space Concordia Rocketry STEM Ambassadors are a team of undergraduate students who work to promote STEM education on behalf of Concordia University. The team has volunteered at a multitude of events during the 2022-23 school year, including the 2022 Space Symposium, the Combustion Institute Technical Meeting, the Space Industry Roundtable, the Canadian Defence and Security Market, Astrofest, and the 2023 Canadian Space Conference. The team helps with event logistics and represents Concordia to the external community.

They always take part with a positive attitude and demonstrate exceptional teamwork. The group is a key part of the work Space Concordia Rocketry does to advance the frontiers of science by fostering world-class engineering, hands-on training, and community involvement. 

Contact The LIVE Centre

How to reach us

(514) 848-2424, ext. 5578
volunteer@concordia.ca

Visit us

LIVE Volunteer Resource Centre   
H-746 (see map)
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.

Drop-in times

Hours change on a weekly basis.
Find out this week's schedule

Mailing address

Concordia University
Dean of Students Office
Attn: LIVE Centre 
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.,
H-659
Montreal, QC  H3G 1M8

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