Bessie Zhang is in grade 11. She likes music, speaks Spanish and does well in school. She has also donated more than 500 hours so far to making life a little better for Ottawa youth. Zhang was honoured in February with a Community Builder Award for her work with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa and Ashbury College, in addition to her other volunteer roles. She first volunteered with the Club in 2010 and almost immediately began several initiatives and programs, including the popular “Time to Shine” music program and “Viva la Vida,” a Spanish summer camp program. In both programs, Zhang employed her personal strengths to encourage and help other children and youth to grow. She saw that many less fortunate youth did not have the opportunities she did, and wanted to change this.

United Way Ottawa’s Community Builder Awards (CBA) recognize the people and organizations that make a difference in the lives of others by giving, speaking up and taking action on issues that matter most to them.  We have been honoured to present 27 Community Builder Awards so far this year. Our award recipients come from diverse backgrounds, but one thing they