• Awarded on: November 13, 2001

Wilfried van de Ven, Napanee, Ontario (deceased)
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

In 1985, Wilfried van de Ven joined the Citizen Advisory Committee for Correction Services Canada. He worked with inmates, visiting them, providing emotional support and tutoring them. Mr. van de Ven often accompanied them to their parole hearings and spoke on their behalf. He acted as a volunteer escort, supervising low risk offenders participating in approved community projects, and was instrumental in organizing and supporting a variety of other initiatives. With the same selflessness and compassion,
Mr. van de Ven also worked for the benefit of children and seniors through the Children's Aid Society and as a volunteer driver for the Seniors Outreach program.