Among the 13 individuals awarded the province’s Medal of Good Citizenship this year is Jewish community member Alan Kwinter.
The honour celebrates individuals, groups and organizations whose generosity and selflessness have made lasting contributions to their local communities. An independent selection committee reviews all nominations and recommends recipients for the medal.
Kwinter was recognized for a lifetime commitment to advancing housing, care and opportunities for vulnerable people. He has given more than 50 years of dedicated service and compassion for the most vulnerable populations throughout British Columbia. Drawing on early experiences shaped by his family’s history, he has dedicated his life to strengthening systems of care for homeless youth, isolated seniors, young families in crisis and survivors of historical trauma.
Kwinter founded Hollyburn Family Services in 1990 and served as the executive director for 34 years, guiding the organization into a multi-service agency that now operates across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley.
In 2004, he established Hollyburn Community Services Society to fill the growing gap in services for youth aging out of care. He volunteered as board chair for 20 years, serving more than 800 individuals annually through programs such as the North Shore Youth Safe House, the Life Success transitional program, Wired 4 Success employment initiative and the Morningstar safe house for at-risk seniors. He and his team partnered with the District of North Vancouver and BC Housing to develop 86 units of affordable rental housing on the Delbrook lands.
Kwinter has also demonstrated profound personal dedication within the Greater Vancouver Jewish community by promoting the expansion of the Jewish cemetery in West Vancouver, traveling globally to show solidarity and advocate against antisemitism and volunteering as incoming president of Congregation Beth Israel in Vancouver.
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The Family Support Institute of BC (FSI) announced the recipients of the 2026 Celebration of Families Awards on June 6, 2026, at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus in Kelowna. The event recognized seven individuals and groups who support families of individuals with disabilities in extraordinary ways.
Alison Klein, who was nominated for this award by her co-workers at CFRO Co-op Radio, is a disability self-advocate, best known for producing and hosting the accessibility-focused arts and culture show The Self Advocate on Vancouver Co-operative Radio. She was given a hand-painted platter created by Gitx’san artist Ryley Jensen Fisk from PotteryWorks to commemorate the honour.
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On July 16, Vancouver City Council approved JWest’s rezoning application at a public hearing at City Hall.
The rezoning approval is the outcome of years of consultation with neighbours and close collaboration with city staff. The approved plan provides more options for JWest, including increasing the potential height of the towers and allowing King David High School the potential to expand. Council’s approval reflects the strength of the plan and the years of work that shaped it. It gives everyone who has invested in this project, financially or personally, clarity on what comes next.
More is to be done in the development and building permit process, but the project remains on track to start construction of the new community centre by the end of this year.