This year’s award is being presented to a member who has exemplified the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” in a variety of ways. This person came from a background where volunteerism wasn’t a normal activity in their culture. But what was normal for this person, is the desire to be helpful, especially in areas where extra hands were needed, or where a smile went a long way to brighten someone’s day.
In researching how this was done, we learned that this person started out by volunteering at their children’s school, and also would visit seniors in their homes. These simple activities helped this person to learn more about the Canadian culture, and started a journey of discovery on how to be more engaged in the community, and to grow their passion for helping unhoused and marginalized citizens.
I’m pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the “Gord Ferguson Community Builder Award” is Alex Pavlov.
With a background as a lawyer in Bulgaria, he knew how the system can be overwhelming for individuals facing legal issues. As it is difficult to get licensed here, he focused his attention on learning enough about our legal system so he could provide information and direction on how to best navigate the various aspects of our laws.
He is currently on the Board of the Waterloo Region Community Legal Services which provides free services to low-income individuals and families.
This has led him to be instrumental in forming the Community Legal Information Project (known as CLIP), an initiative managed by Peace for All Canada and funded by the Law Foundation of Canada. Alex and his co-volunteers, Martin DeGroot and Ayiko (eye-ko) Solomon formed CLIP to make legal information accessible, clear and community driven. The program provides support for anyone facing barrier to justice, including housing insecurity, addiction or mental health challenges. They meet people where they are.
Both in this volunteer work and his paid positions with those less fortunate, Alex has the heart, energy and drive to make a different in their lives, and in the community. If you follow Alex on Social Media, you will see him in many places where he is taking his message and influence.
All of this happens with the ongoing support of his lovely wife, Judith, who has a background in Community Service, and is currently the project manager for the CLIP program. We are fortunate that he has chosen our Rotary Club to be a member, and wish him all the best in his ongoing work to make our community a better place to live and grow.
