Karyn Lazareck has been a lifelong volunteer both in Canada and Israel. She has a wide variety of interests ranging from the arts to humanitarian needs, in particular, those in support of children. Karyn has a deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals with special needs, a commitment that began in the 70’s and highlighted by a conference she co-chaired in 1992 that launched initiatives and promoted broad community inclusion.
Karyn is the founder of G.R.O.W. (Gaining Resources Our Way), an outreach and life skills program for young adults with special needs seeking to become more independent.
She currently sits on the planning committee for the first ever Canadian conference, “Pushing the Boundaries: Disability, Inclusion and Jewish Community” sponsored by the Jewish Federations of Canada. Karyn is exemplary in providing philanthropic leadership and is a role model in the community. In May 2017, she was awarded the Sol Kanee Distinguished Community Service Medal.
The 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Make a Difference Community Award was presented to Karyn on September 23, 2021. The awards recognize individuals who embody the spirit of volunteerism and have made lasting and meaningful contributions in the community.
In 2020 Karyn was also presented with an HONOUR 150 Award by Canada Life which recognized 150 people from across the province who stand out for their role in making Manitoba an amazing province. G.R.O.W. participants hosted a lunch to present the award to Karyn. One of the participants made a moving speech in which he shared his feelings and experiences at G.R.O.W.
