31 October 2014 – Filipino-Canadian “Tatay” Tomas Avendano was bestowed with the 2014 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism, in the Lifetime Achievement category, in recognition of his significant contributions in espousing multiculturalism and in providing support services to new immigrants to enable them fully integrate into Canadian society

The award was announced by Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney on October 24.

Mr. Avendano is fondly known as “Tatay Tom” in the Filipino community. He founded the Multicultural Helping House Society (MHHS), an organization that helps new immigrants and foreign workers integrate into Canada.

His efforts to rally the community behind the establishment of the MHHS earned him the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in August 2002.

In February 2012, Tatay Tom received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, conferred by Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper at a special ceremony in Ottawa.

He immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 1982. Mr. Avendano has acted as a bridge between Vancouver’s Filipino community and other cultural communities in the city.

Tatay Tom is the sixth recipient of the annual Paul Yuzyk Award, which is bestowed on an individual or group that demonstrates dedication to pluralism and the integration of newcomers into Canadian society.

Philippine Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer personally commended “Tatay” Tom Avendano for his well-deserved award and for the inspiring work he has done in Vancouver.

Paul Yuzyk Award commemorates the legacy of the late Senator Paul Yuzyk, “father of multiculturalism” who played a key role in the development of Canadian multiculturalism policy.

The Paul Yuzyk Award recipient receives a certificate of honour, signed by the Minister, as well as the privilege to select an eligible, registered, not-for-profit Canadian organization to receive a $20,000 grant from the Government of Canada. Mr. Avendano has chosen to direct the grant to the MHHS. END