Community Hero Program

Presented By

Janna Amirault

Sergeant Janna Amirault has been an officer with the RCMP for over 23 years, in Manitoba. She has worked as a uniformed police officer, which is where she developed her passion for investigating complex and challenging crimes against persons. As a plainclothes investigator, she worked in various units under the RCMP Major Crime Services, where her duties included investigating sexual assaults, child abuse, and homicides. Janna is currently working in Winnipeg, based at Toba Centre. She has been part of the development of the Integrated Child Abuse Unit, where the RCMP is integrated with the Brandon Police Service and the Manitoba First Nation Police Service. Janna is a champion for providing the best possible care for victims of abuse and is an extraordinarily valuable member of Toba Centre’s leadership team.

Mike Chiborak & Theresa Pickering

Mike Chiborak and Theresa Pickering have spent the past 10 years working at Toba Centre as Forensic Interview Specialists, helping children and youth share their experiences. Prior to joining Toba Centre, Theresa worked in the field of Child and Family Services for more than 20 years and Mike was a police officer with the Winnipeg Police Service for 27 years, including 10 years as an investigator with the child abuse unit. Mike and Theresa have dedicated their entire careers to ensuring children and youth have a voice – so that they feel heard, so that they can be kept safe and so that we can seek justice on their behalf. We are so grateful that they come to work each day and sit with children through their darkest times, so that those same children have the opportunity to move forward in a positive way.

Kristyn Miller

Kristyn Miller is a dedicated member of the Circle of Hearts Family Support Network, a community that supports families affected by congenital or acquired heart disease. Her journey began when her son, Jaxon, was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and received a life-saving heart transplant at just four months old. After spending the first six months of Jaxon’s life in the hospital, Kristyn felt compelled to give back to the community that guided her through such a challenging time. For the past six years, she has served on the Circle of Hearts board, passionately working to create lasting connections among heart families and ensuring they have access to vital resources, support, and joy. Her innovative ideas and relentless dedication have significantly enriched the organization, establishing a strong support network that fosters a sense of belonging.

Bailey Englot

Bailey Englot is a teacher and a passionate lifelong learner and mental health advocate, dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health through her work with Project 11. She provides professional development to Manitoba teachers with the Manitoba Association of Multiage Educators, lead student voice and leadership groups, and supervise school patrols. As an advocate for inclusion, she co-leads the GSA, ensuring every student feels safe and welcomed in the school. Her diverse experience across various schools has deepened her commitment to helping every student thrive.

Christy Dzikowicz

Christy Dzikowicz is the Chief Executive Officer of Toba Centre for Children and Youth - Manitoba's only child advocacy centre. Over the past 5 years Christy led the development of Toba Centre into the fully integrated, wrap around child abuse response centre that it is today. Christy has worked in child protection in variety of roles for over 25 years. She is an outspoken advocate for children and for better systemic and community responses to child maltreatment.

Connie Newman

Connie Newman is Executive Director (consultant) for the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres. She connects with member centres to provide guidance and encouragement. She is a member of Manitoba’s Age Friendly Resource Team which provides her with opportunities to connect with local Age Friendly committees all around Manitoba and Canada. Connie believes in active aging and community development. Keeping her mind and body active helps her to assist those who may need information and support as we all age together.

Ken Opaleke

Ken Opaleke is the Executive Director of West Broadway Youth Outreach. As a young Jamaican newcomer to West Broadway in the 70s, Ken dreamt of creating a free safe space for youth. Inspired by his grandmother's values, he started West Broadway Youth Outreach (WBYO) in the late 80s. His dedication has earned him several accolades, including the 2013 Manitoba Hero Award, the 2018 Order of Manitoba, and the 2019 Winnipeg Foundation Fast Pitch Championship, etc. Remarkably, Ken hasn't taken a single sick day in over 32 years. His excitement and commitment to WBYO and Winnipeg's children remain unwavering, believing in their infinite potential.

Mackenzie Jansen

Mackenzie Jansen is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Adolescent and Young Adult Program at CancerCare Manitoba. Mackenzie's role focuses on addressing the unique physical, emotional, and social needs of young patients with cancer. She provides specialized care, including fertility preservation discussions, support throughout treatment, and guidance on survivorship. Mackenzie's goal is to optimize care by offering expert clinical support, education, and advocacy, ensuring that each patient’s individual needs are met along their cancer journey. As an AYA survivor herself, she feels it is a privilege to come full circle in working with AYAs to empower and help them navigate the challenges of cancer with resilience and hope for their futures.

Brita Hall

Brita Hall is a decorated Special Olympics Manitoba athlete with six World Games gold medals. When Hall was only nine weeks old, a car accident changed the course of her life and the lives of her parents forever. Doctors gave her only a 10 per cent chance to ever walk or talk. But at age five, she defied medical odds by learning to skate. She won her first gold medal in the 800m race at the 1980 Provincial Summer Games, setting the stage for an illustrious career. Over her 44-year career, Hall has excelled in multiple sports, including cross-country skiing, track and field, golf, and alpine skiing. Brita is the first athlete with an Intellectual Disability to be inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.