Surrey seniors’ advocate Joyce Schmalz received a lifetime achievement award from the city’s mayor and council on Monday evening.
Schmalz, co-founder of the B.C. Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support, has been working on behalf of seniors since 1982. She has served on the Mayor’s Task Force for Seniors since its inception in 2008, and subsequently, the Seniors Advisory and Accessibility Committee.
Schmalz is also a writer, producer and actor, developing numerous resource tools, teaching materials, and videos related to elder advocacy.
“For over 30 years Joyce Schmalz has been committed to improving the lives of seniors in our city and province,” said Mayor Dianne Watts. “It is tireless advocates like Joyce, who with determination and compassion, demonstrate how one person can make lasting change in our communities.”
The award was presented in conduction with mayor and council’s proclamation of June 17-23 as Senior’s Week in Surrey.
For more information on seniors’ initiatives and programming in the City of Surrey visit www.surrey.ca/seniors