"For the Children Award", was established in 1996 when Theresa Odishaw stepped down as President of the Foundation. The Foundation wanted to present to her an appropriate award for her outstanding contribution.
During her presidency Theresa always signed her letters "For the Children" instead of "Yours truly". The phrase became synonymous with the Foundation. Professor Paul T. K. Lin and Mrs. Eileen Lin co-founders of the foundation recommended an award called "For the Children Award". Theresa Odishaw was the first recipient.
The Award continues to be given, to honour men and women who give selflessly of their time and talents to change for the better, the lives of children. The phrase "For the Children" is now used in all correspondence by the Soong Ching Ling Foundation of Canada and by the Soong Ching Ling Foundations in Shanghai and Beijing.
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For the Children Award
Theresa Odishaw:
Former President and long time member of the SCL Board.
Professor Paul T. K. Lin O.C. (1920-2004) & Mrs. Eileen Lin:
Co-founders of the Soong Ching Ling Children's Foundation of Canada.
Mr. Hamish Cameron:
A long time board member, supporter and Solicitor for the Foundation.
Dr. Grace McCarthy, OC.:
Founder and long time activist of CHILD foundation.
Dr. Clyde Hertzman:
Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), University of British Columbia
Ms. Hope Huiping Tian & Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen:
Ms. Hope Huiping Tian is the founder of the first non-governmental organization to provide educational services to children with autism in China, the Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism. When Ms. Tian's son was diagnosed with autism in 1993, there were no services or educational opportunities available anywhere in China for children with autism. Ms. Tian sacrificed a successful academic career to establish the Stars and Rain Institute, in order to help not only her own child, but all the children in China who have autism. Since 1993 the Institute has expanded, and now provides services to many children and families from all over China. It has directly helped over 4,000 children with autism, and reached many more through its website and its example. In 2006, Ms. Tian spearheaded the creation of the Heart Alliance, a network of non-profit organizations throughout China which help autistic children and their families. She continues to devote her life to ensuring that all Chinese children with autism can receive the education that they need and deserve. There can be few people in China as dedicated to the welfare of children as is Hope Huiping Tian.
Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen, Ph.D., BCBA, received her Doctoral degree in Educational Psychology and Special Education from the University of British Columbia. She is the Clinical Director and founder of the ABA Learning Centre, one of the few specialized preschool programs for children with autism in the lower mainland. She recently helped found the Phoenix Academy of Learning Society (PALS) for school-age children with autism and other complex developmental disabilities, and serves as its acting administrator. She has provided consultation to numerous individual families of children with autism, as well as workshops and training sessions, throughout the province of BC, to families and specialists. In the past she provided psychological assessment and diagnostic services at Sunny Hill Health Centre and through Surrey Memorial Child Evaluation Clinic. She also worked for many years as a teacher and service coordinator for children with learning disabilities and behaviour disorders. In 2008, she travelled to China on behalf of the SCLCFC to present a 4-day training workshop to teachers of children with autism who came from all over China. Dr. Jacobsen has dedicated her working life to helping children with autism and other disabilities, who live in British Columbia and elsewhere, to achieve their full potential.
Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen, Ph.D., BCBA, received her Doctoral degree in Educational Psychology and Special Education from the University of British Columbia. She is the Clinical Director and founder of the ABA Learning Centre, one of the few specialized preschool programs for children with autism in the lower mainland. She recently helped found the Phoenix Academy of Learning Society (PALS) for school-age children with autism and other complex developmental disabilities, and serves as its acting administrator. She has provided consultation to numerous individual families of children with autism, as well as workshops and training sessions, throughout the province of BC, to families and specialists. In the past she provided psychological assessment and diagnostic services at Sunny Hill Health Centre and through Surrey Memorial Child Evaluation Clinic. She also worked for many years as a teacher and service coordinator for children with learning disabilities and behaviour disorders. In 2008, she travelled to China on behalf of the SCLCFC to present a 4-day training workshop to teachers of children with autism who came from all over China. Dr. Jacobsen has dedicated her working life to helping children with autism and other disabilities, who live in British Columbia and elsewhere, to achieve their full potential.
