Awarded on: 1999-04-20
Elda Phipps Thomas, Toronto, Ont.
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Elda Thomas has devoted her free time for many years to helping prisoners both inside and outside institutions. Through an organization originally known as "The Bridge" and now called "JustUs", she helps prisoners re-establish their lives spiritually, emotionally and effectively. A committed member of the United Church, she has served on Criminal Justice, the Correctional Service of Canada's Interfaith Committee on Chaplaincy, and the Church Council on Justice and Corrections. Ms. Thomas is also active in a number of other church committees, and is involved with the Youth Services Bureau and with Citizen Advocacy in Ottawa.