Celebrating Gloria Moyano: Inaugural Leslie & Burke Legacy Award Winner

We’re pleased to share more about Gloria Moyano, a recent recipient of the Leslie & Burke Legacy Award. This award honours individuals who demonstrate a deep commitment to supporting families and communities, and Gloria’s work at Guildford Family Resource Program (GFRP) is a wonderful example of this dedication.

About Gloria Moyano

Gloria Moyano, the recipient of the Leslie & Burke Legacy Award, has been a driving force at Guildford Family Resource Program (GFRP) as the program coordinator. Her role involved not only overseeing the daily operations and planning but also ensuring that the facility adhered to Options Health and Safety and Fraser Health standards. Gloria’s dedication extended far beyond her administrative duties. She actively engaged in daily programming, spending time with the children in activities like making arts and crafts, playing with playdough, and ensuring that the learning environment was enriching and joyful.

One of Gloria’s most remarkable qualities is her ability to connect deeply with both children and their guardians. She invested time in getting to know the parents, grandparents, and families, finding tailored resources to meet their specific needs. Gloria’s compassionate nature and non-judgemental approach earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor who was always willing to go the extra mile to support anyone in distress. Her work often continued beyond regular hours to ensure that each family received the support they needed.

Why Gloria Won the Inaugural Leslie & Burke Legacy Award

Gloria Moyano’s receipt of the Leslie & Burke Legacy Award is a testament to her compassion, dedication, and commitment to the families she serves. Her colleagues describe her as a good listener and a person who genuinely cares about helping others. Gloria’s non-judgemental and open-hearted approach allowed her to create a welcoming environment where everyone felt safe and valued. Her influence has been so profound that some children even referred to Guildford Family Resource Program as “Gloria’s school,” highlighting the impact she had on the community for many years up until she retired this September.

One of Gloria’s standout initiatives was her creation of a vegetable, herb, and flower garden. This hands-on project not only engaged the children in learning about plants and nature but also inspired many families to start their own gardens at home. Gloria’s annual tradition of planting flowers in pots with the children for Mother’s Day is another example of how she made lasting memories for both children and their families. Her advocacy for outdoor play and her efforts to involve families in nature-based activities underscore her holistic approach to supporting family well-being.

Gloria’s Impact on Families and the Community

Gloria’s work at GFRP went beyond her role as a coordinator; it was about building relationships and creating a sense of community among the families she served. Many Spanish-speaking families sought her out specifically for her ability to provide relevant resources and support. Her dedication to meeting the needs of each family in a personal and meaningful way made a significant difference in their lives.

Her influence is also reflected in the positive feedback from parents and caregivers, who often commented on how much their children enjoyed attending the program and interacting with Gloria. These connections often extended outside the program, leading to lasting relationships and a sense of community support that reached beyond the walls of Guildford Family Resource Program.