Isabelle Ducharme, 2015 winner Hommage bénévolat-Québec award

It was during an exciting and emotional ceremony that Ms. Isabelle Ducharme received the 2015 Hommage bénévolat-Québec award in the category for volunteers aged 36 and up in the Montréal area. The award was given to her by the Government of Québec in the National Assembly's Legislative Council Chamber, in the presence of Sam Hamad, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity.

Ms. Ducharme has been a volunteer for more than 20 years and now works with many different organizations. The unifying theme underlying all her work is a desire to help people with disabilities increase their mobility and facilitate their participation in society. Ms. Ducharme, who became a quadriplegic at the age of 21 following a road accident, courageously and thoughtfully changed career paths, drawing on her situation and her communication skills to serve the public. "Isabelle Ducharme has been working with Kéroul since 2004. She joined the board of directors in 2009 and became its chairperson in 2010," enthused Kéroul's founder, President and CEO. "Isabelle plays an active and decisive role in all Kéroul's strategic projects, for example The Accessible Road, training workshops, and preparations for the Destinations for All world summit held in Montréal in 2014, to name but a few. We are very grateful for her contribution, which takes on many forms."

Ms. Ducharme is an accomplished, friendly, open, creative and determined person who also works with the McGill University Health Centre's chronic disease self-management program, Vues et Voix's Canal M community radio, Kinova Robotics, and Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec's (BAnQ) assistive services committee.

The Hommage bénévolat-Québec award has been presented by the Government of Québec every year since 1998 in recognition of the exceptional dedication and invaluable contribution of volunteers and organizations from all regions of Québec. It is a reward for citizens who help their communities and for organizations that promote and encourage volunteer involvement. The Secrétariat à l’action communautaire autonome et aux initiatives sociales (SACAIS) oversees the award.