TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - The 2014 Harmony Award will be presented to Jeremy Dias, founder of Jer's Vision.
While in high school, Mr. Dias attempted to create a club promoting tolerance and which welcomed non-heterosexual students. After struggling with the school administration over this, Jeremy filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Mr. Dias won the case and used the money to found Jer's Vision. His organization works to stop racial and sexual discrimination and awards an annual scholarship to teens who work to end discrimination in their communities.
Jer's Vision is also the power behind the International Day of Pink. This past April over 9.2 million Canadians wore pink and organized events to understand bullying.
The annual Harmony Award recognizes contributions of Canadians who are active in promoting diversity, inclusion and social change. Past award recipients include Herb Carnegie, Roberta Jamieson, June Callwood, Stephen Lewis and Michele Landsberg, and Roméo Dallaire.
Mr. Dias will be presented with the award at the Taste for Change: Harmony Awards gala on November 13, 2014 at the Daniels Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East, Toronto. For more information see http://www.harmony.ca/events/
The event will also recognize outstanding achievements in diversity and social justice by presenting the June Callwood Harmony Scholarship, the Harmony School of the Year, as well as the Harmony Educator and the Mary A. Samuel Harmony Leadership in Education awards.
"We want to pay tribute students, educators and activists who have made a positive social impact on their local community and on national stage," says Executive Director Cheuk Kwan. "This event provides a platform for meaningful exchanges amongst those who are committed to equity and inclusion in our society."
Harmony Movement www.harmony.ca is the leading provider of equity and inclusive education in Ontario. Each year, it works with over 40 Ontario school boards, and their communities, to fight discrimination and build understanding.
Harmony Movement's education programs are made possible by funding provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, as well as sponsorship from its Partners in Harmony BMO, CIBC, Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario Public Services Employees' Union (OPSEU), TD Bank, and UNIFOR.
Image with caption: "Jeremy Dias, winner of Harmony Movement’s Harmony Award, founder of Jer’s Vision and coordinator of the International Day of Pink (CNW Group/Harmony Movement)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141110_C7611_PHOTO_EN_7790.jpg
Image with caption: "Youth from Harmony Movement’s Arts.for.Equity summer program in Oakville, Ontario (CNW Group/Harmony Movement)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141110_C7611_PHOTO_EN_7791.jpg
Image with caption: "Harmony Movement (CNW Group/Harmony Movement)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141110_C7611_PHOTO_EN_7792.jpg
SOURCE: Harmony Movement
Press passes available upon request. Contact: Janelle Yanishewski (647)746-0440 [email protected]
Share this article