Lifetime Achievement Award

Bill Sinclair Bill Sinclair is a social worker and the CEO of The Neighbourhood Group in Toronto. Since graduating from University of Toronto, Bill has always worked in multi-service neighbourhood centres that create opportunities to improve the lives of low-income children, youth, seniors, newcomers to Canada, and people who are homeless. Bill spent 10 years at York Community Services (now Unison Health and Community Services) and 21 years at St. Stephen’s Community House (now The Neighbourhood Group Community Services). Bill believes strongly in collaboration, advocacy, and in progressive social change. He is a founder of such groups as Horizons for Youth Shelter, Toronto Homeless Drop-in Network, and the Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership, and is an eager participant in Toronto Neighbourhood Centres.

Lorraine Duff For over 40 years, Lorraine Duff has held many roles that have given her a 360-degree view of how to work in community. Currently she is on health leave from her position as Director, Special Projects, at United Way Greater Toronto. Other roles have included community development, community sector funding, service delivery, or senior management. Lorraine has been fortunate to work with wonderful residents, agency staff, and government partners to develop initiatives such as community hubs and a new CHC in Rexdale, and to initiate or fund an array of services across the city. Lorraine is a persistent community champion and consensus builder, and has a good sense of humour!

Bill Sinclair Bill Sinclair is a social worker and the CEO of The Neighbourhood Group in Toronto. Since graduating from University of Toronto, Bill has always worked in multi-service neighbourhood centres that create opportunities to improve the lives of low-income children, youth, seniors, newcomers to Canada, and people who are homeless. Bill spent 10 years at York Community Services (now Unison Health and Community Services) and 21 years at St. Stephen’s Community House (now The Neighbourhood Group Community Services). Bill believes strongly in collaboration, advocacy, and in progressive social change. He is a founder of such groups as Horizons for Youth Shelter, Toronto Homeless Drop-in Network, and the Toronto South Local Immigration Partnership, and is an eager participant in Toronto Neighbourhood Centres.

Lorraine Duff For over 40 years, Lorraine Duff has held many roles that have given her a 360-degree view of how to work in community. Currently she is on health leave from her position as Director, Special Projects, at United Way Greater Toronto. Other roles have included community development, community sector funding, service delivery, or senior management. Lorraine has been fortunate to work with wonderful residents, agency staff, and government partners to develop initiatives such as community hubs and a new CHC in Rexdale, and to initiate or fund an array of services across the city. Lorraine is a persistent community champion and consensus builder, and has a good sense of humour!

Inspiring Leadership Award

Talia Bronstein Talia Bronstein is a social policy researcher with a passion for social change. As VP Research & Advocacy at Daily Bread Food Bank, Talia is an outspoken advocate for income security and affordable housing to alleviate poverty and food insecurity. Having worked in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, Talia brings a unique perspective to building collaborative relationships with community members, partner organizations, and government to tackle complex systems-level policy issues. Talia holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Toronto and her research has been featured in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, and CBC.

Talia Bronstein Talia Bronstein is a social policy researcher with a passion for social change. As VP Research & Advocacy at Daily Bread Food Bank, Talia is an outspoken advocate for income security and affordable housing to alleviate poverty and food insecurity. Having worked in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, Talia brings a unique perspective to building collaborative relationships with community members, partner organizations, and government to tackle complex systems-level policy issues. Talia holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Toronto and her research has been featured in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post, and CBC.

Save the Date!

The 2021 Frances Lankin Community Service Award will be presented following our Annual General Meeting on Monday, June 21. Details to follow!

A Look Back at 10 Years of the Frances Lankin Award

We're celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Award with a retrospective website featuring all previous recipients. 

Visit franceslankinaward.com to read about their amazing contributions to our sector!

About Frances Lankin

Photo by Tanja Tiziana 

Frances Lankin was CEO of the United Way Toronto for over 10 years, guiding the organization through its transformation from a trusted fundraiser to an organization dedicated to addressing underlying root causes of social problems.

Under Frances’s leadership, United Way Toronto engaged in a number of strategic initiatives that aimed to improve the lives of individuals, families and neighbourhoods in Toronto.

Today, Frances is a Senator in Canada’s Parliament.

Social Planning Toronto thanks the 2021 selection committee members:

• Daniel Fridmar, Social Planning Toronto board member
• Debbie Douglas, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) and former Francis Lankin Award recipient
• Isobel Goddard, Warden Woods Community Centre
• Tatjana Radovanovic, Canadian Red Cross