The Rotary Club of Mississauga proudly celebrated one of its own, Jan Gerrard, who was honoured by The Dam with the 2026 Youth Champion Award for Education in recognition of her extraordinary dedication and 29 years of leadership with Rotary's Camp Enterprise program.
Rotarians gathered on October 24 to celebrate Jan's achievement at The Dam's Dessert Auction and Awards Ceremony, hosted by Councillor Martin Reid at the Vic Johnson–Hazel McCallion Room in Streetsville.
For nearly three decades, Jan has served as Chair of Camp Enterprise, helping inspire and prepare the next generation of business and community leaders.
Funded by the Rotary Clubs of Mississauga, Camp Enterprise provides students with a fully immersive leadership and business experience at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus. Through interactive sessions led by business leaders, students gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, business development and future career opportunities. Jan's longstanding commitment has helped make this program a meaningful and lasting experience for generations of young people.
The award was particularly meaningful as The Dam celebrated its 25th anniversary of partnering with youth to create an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, valued and respected.
Based in Mississauga, The Dam stands for Develop, Assist and Mentor. Its name also reflects the founders' vision of acting as a dam to help stop at-risk youth from entering the cycle of homelessness by providing mentorship, support, connection and opportunities to build brighter futures. Executive Director of The Dam is also seen in the photo below, Dagmar Morgan-Sinclair.
Congratulations to Jan Gerrard on this well-deserved recognition and to The Dam on 25 years of making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people in our community.
Rotary Mississauga is proud of Jan's remarkable commitment to youth education and leadership development. Her 29 years of service exemplify the Rotary spirit of investing in people, creating opportunities and building a stronger community.
