A Saanich woman is being honoured for her work bringing people together in the community.
Parminder Virk is one of 21 people in B.C. who will receive the Medal of Good Citizenship for their amazing contributions to the community.
“Parminder Virk stands as a force for positive change and community building, with an illustrious record of service spanning over a decade,” reads a statement from the B.C. government.
Virk is a mother and mental-health career professional. Her role as coordinator for the Outreach Bridging program with Island Community Mental Health “epitomizes her commitment to providing long-term support to those on the path to recovery,” said the statement.
Her commitment extends beyond her career, said the statement, through her role leading the Punjabi Cultural Community Association of Victoria, a non-profit organization focused on preserving the Punjabi culture in Canada while promoting diversity, bringing people together in Saanich, and helping those in need.
Annually, Virk leads the organization in preparing hundreds of free meals for the Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society, Our Place Society and lunch programs in schools. Virk also coordinated the organization to support other charitable organizations, including the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, WIN-Women in Need Community Cooperative, Victoria Hospitals Foundation-Cancer Care and the Esquimalt Syrian Refugee program.
“In her role as a dedicated community programmer for Saanich Parks and Recreation, Virk has left a mark orchestrating multi-faith family festivals and co-ordinating celebrations such as Lohri, Vasaikhi, and Diwali events, and the Punjabi Mela,” said the province.
Virk taught at the Sikh Temple for more than 20 years, teaching children how to read and write Punjabi, showcasing her dedication to preserving and sharing her rich cultural heritage. Virk also co-hosts a multicultural radio show featuring a variety of Punjabi traditional and modern songs.
In her role as vice-president of the India Canada Cultural Association (ICCA), Virk helped organize cultural events that celebrate Indian heritage.
In collaboration with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Virk played a pivotal role in initiatives, such a the Inter-Faith Dialogue Project and the Inter-Faith Bridging project, fostering dialogue and understanding connections among diverse communities. A Victoria Multifaith Society staff member says: “Parminder is a true ambassador for the Sikh belief in the equality of humanity and selfless service to others.”
“Her tireless efforts, whether in leading the Punjabi Cultural Community Association of Victoria in giving back to the community, or promoting inclusion and diversity, exemplify her as a true community leader.”
