The Prince George Community Foundation chose Sharon Hurd as the Citizen of the Year during an event at the Coast Inn of the North Friday night.
Hurd has dedicated her life to helping those in need, mostly through social work. She spent the last 15 years working at the Pheonix Transition House, a 16-bed home for women and children leaving an abusive environment. Before that, Hurd was the executive director and addictions specialist at Amata Transition House in Quesnel for 10 years, and received The Governor General of Canada's Commemorative medal for her contributions to her community and country in 1992.
"Sharon represents the three Ms: mother, mentor and monitor," said a woman whom Hurd helped, who asked to remain anonymous. "She is truly an amazing person."
Dr. Theresa Healy, Ruth Langner and Shawn Rice were also nominated for the 2010 Prince George Citizen of the Year.
More than 30 letters of praise accompanied Hurd's nomination package, including support from social workers, a provincial judge, MLAs and even handwritten letters from women Hurd has helped over the years.
"I was raised to [get involved]. It was a time where employment insurance was to help people going through a rough patch and it was my responsibility as a citizen to help the community however I can," said Hurd, upon receiving the nomination on Canada Day.
She is involved with the Prince George Council of Seniors board; the Prince George Crisis Line Board; the Hutda Lake Wellness Project for Women with Addictions; the John Howard Society of Northern B.C.; and the Prince George Hospice Society. Her past work includes 10 years with Violence Against Women in Relationships and five years with the Citizen's Advisory Committee for Correctional Services Canada.
Hurd is also a past member of the Community Planning Council; the AIDS PG Women at Risk Project; the BCSPCA Community Advisory Committee; Prince George Drug and Alcohol; and St. Pat's Halfway House.
Among all her volunteer work, Hurd is also furthering her education. This year she received an addictions certificate from the Justice Institute of B.C. and peer-counselling for seniors training.
She is also working towards a degree in gender studies at UNBC.
