Awarded on: 2006-11-28
Maria Giacomodonato, Town of Mount Royal, Quebec
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Maria Giacomodonato has significantly influenced many inner-city students and helped to bring hope and encouragement to children with learning disabilities. She has initiated several tutoring and mentoring programs for youth. In collaboration with Table Jeunesse Côte-des-Neiges, she launched the Montreal Hooked on School project, which provides support to students at risk. In addition, Mrs. Giacomodonato has helped to organize many educational workshops for students at La Voie High School. She has also introduced a program to assist young people in finding jobs with over 150 potential employers in the Montreal area. Her efforts have contributed to reducing the dropout rate among her students and have inspired many of them to become involved in community service.