“Mr. SJCI” a.k.a. Tom Dercola, the teacher, mentor, and lifelong volunteer

He’s earned the nickname “Mr. SCJI”. That’s because Winnipeg’s Tom Dercola has a passion for teaching and helping others that never stopped when class was over.

Dercola, 73, said he always wanted to be a teacher. His passion for helping kids learn has earned him respect from students, parents, and staff. He’s formed close bonds with those he’s taught, as two of his former students are now his adopted sons. “I’m quite blessed that out of my teaching career I have two sons, and now several grandchildren,” he said.

His career at St. James Collegiate Institute (SCJI) spanned over 35 years. In that time, Dercola established multiple scholarships and implemented programs to aid in student’s involvement with community outreach.

For years Dercola took groups to read and to cook breakfast for underprivileged children. “The fact that my students could come away feeling like ‘hey, I’m a role model,’ that’s what was important to me,” he said.

At SJCI, Dercola spearheaded “The Wall of Success” – a board in the school that recognizes the achievements of students who otherwise wouldn’t qualify for scholarships or awards. “These students with lower grades are still trying their very hardest,” said Dercola. “They needed to be recognized.”

Dercola’s dedication to the betterment of the community hasn’t slowed down since his retirement. He has volunteered at many local organizations, including multi year stints at Winnipeg Harvest and the Humane Society and was recently the president of CJNU-FM, a radio station that focuses on keeping senior communities supported and informed. With his love of animals and kids, he has established endowment funds to support education, animal welfare, nutrition programs and mental health initiatives.

Driving force behind the last three Women’s Marches in Winnipeg

Through her work at Harvest Manitoba, as well as volunteer efforts as a Sexual Assault Crisis Counsellor at Klinic, and organizer for many social justice groups, Vivienne is knowledgeable about the many injustices and unfairness faced by people in our city. She is well aware of the facts and statistics regarding inequality but also has heard many unique stories from those with lived experience of poverty and crisis. These folks have entrusted Vivienne to carry those stories forward to effect change, which she aims to do with the greatest level of respect for the daily realities of those in need.

“I do what I do because I see a need for it,” said Vivienne with a smile. “We have to raise awareness and keep shining a light, and, hopefully, change will follow.”

Vivienne has been the driving force behind the last two Women’s Marches in Winnipeg, held to celebrate, defend and champion women’s rights. She has been the lead organizer, responsible for programming, logistics and engagement. Vivienne gives relentlessly and passionately of herself.

“When I started organizing, there was no instruction manual or guidance,” said Vivienne. “Even if things seem impossible, I’ve always known I must push forward.”

With similar heart and vigour, Vivienne led the revival of Manitoba’s Take Back the Night march, to raise awareness about the threats of physical, sexual, and emotional violence that women face.

Vivienne’s pursuit of justice for survivors does not end there. Vivienne joined the organizing committee for the 2020 Annual Manitoba Women Memorial March in Honor of MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA. This annual march calls for justice and brings awareness of murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2 spirited people.

Vivienne was one of the lead organizers for the Times Up Nygard protest, continuing her work in bringing awareness on violence against women in Winnipeg. This protest confronts the legacy of sexual violence Peter Nygard leaves behind in the city.

Vivienne is a major force behind discussions about both human and women’s rights. She brings women together, giving them an opportunity to share their lived experiences and learn about the history of their rights and current threats to those rights, and opportunities for making advances to achieve equality.

She is a labour activist with Canadian Union of Public Employees, serving as the President of CUPE Local 2348 and Chair for CUPE Manitoba’s Human Rights Committee, and serves on an impressive slew of labour organizations and committees.

Cutting hair, sharing stories, bringing laughter to those in need

Hans Lodewyks, who emigrated from Holland in 1954, has a knack for gathering groups of people together to help and volunteer their time.

When Winnipeg Harvest struggled to gain enough food and formula for low-income families, Lodewyks helped collect donations. He later organized groups of handymen to repair and build bins and lockers to more efficiently store and handle food at Winnipeg Harvest.

In 1979, he opened his own hairstyling business, “Hans for Hair”. In 1988, again, Hans partnered with Winnipeg Harvest in a fundraiser called “Hack Hair for Harvest,” where he and a group of clients raised over $2,100 shaving their heads.

When his neighbour was unable to do repairs to his home, Hans put his own projects on hold to paint and refinish the house, with others.

In 2000, Hans joined the Palliative Manitoba team to support families with end of life care. He now also volunteers at Jocelyn House where he makes home-cooked meals and offers companionship to those in end-of-life care.

For many years, Hans has been involved with The Memory Tree, a place where people come to write cards to passed loved ones during Christmastime, at St. Vital Mall. “When we sit at the tree, people come by, and sometimes they like to talk. Sometimes they just like to write a note, and that really makes it special. It gives them an opportunity to express their emotions at a very difficult time of year,” said Lodewyks.

Lodewyks says that he is both honoured and thankful to have opportunities to meet and work with people in the community who reach out to others in need.

Janice McWilliams and Cathy MacKinnon

Janice and Cathy are retired teachers who started volunteering together at Harvest in 2013. When it operational (pre-COVID), Janice and Cathy were leaders of our Partnership for Change program, but they have experience in nearly every volunteer role at Harvest.

They are a joy to work with and have a real heart for our clients, giving our client services team valuable feedback that lets us serve them better. Thank you, Janice and Cathy, for all your hard work and kindness.

Rod Soviak

Rod has been volunteering in Harvest’s Client Services department and Emergency Food Assistance Call Centre for nearly eight years. In his over 3,717 volunteer hours, he has become the number one trainer and has learned to singlehandedly cover the Client Services office when needed.

He exceeds all expectations of food recipients, staff and fellow volunteers, going the extra mile to help others.

Thank you and Congratulations Rod. You are a true Harvest Star!