Frank Hurt Secondary safe school liaison named Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winner

Dacious Richardson, a safe school liaison at Frank Hurt Secondary, is one of this year's recipients of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, recognizing inspirational success stories of immigrants and refugees. (Photo via LinkedIn)

A safe school liaison (SSL) with Frank Hurt Secondary is being honoured as one of this year’s winners of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, an annual showcase of immigrants and refugees with inspiring success stories.

Dacious Richardson, 26, was recognized for his work as an advocate for refugees, immigrants and newcomer youth, which has made a significant, positive impact to the Frank Hurt school community. His role as an SSL provides mentorship, support and guidance to students, many of whom come from diverse cultures and backgrounds and can relate to his story.

Born in Liberia during the country’s second civil war, Richardson grew up witnessing considerable violence, abuse, pain and death in his community, causing him trauma and anxiety in his childhood. At 13, he immigrated to Canada with his sisters, joining their father in B.C., where the shy teenager was afraid to speak in front of his new Guildford Park Secondary classmates, worried he’d be judged for his accent.

It was at Guildford Park where Richardson received the support and guidance from SSLs, youth workers and many teachers that helped him to get out of his shell and manage his trauma and anxiety. While still he a teenager, he was inspired to empower his peers, volunteering with the Surrey Newcomer Youth Council, the Canadian Council for Refugee Youth Network and the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative.

“There were a lot of mentors and strong leaders who helped me to cope when I went to school,” he told Surrey Schools in April. “After graduation, I ended up working for them – the work that I do stems from me coming here as an immigrant and giving back to refugees, immigrants and youth from diverse backgrounds, helping to make a change.”

In 2016, Richardson founded Rise Above Reality Expectation, a community initiative for newcomers, refugees, immigrants, and youth who are at-risk or come from low-income families to participate in sports for free, fostering a positive and uplifting environment.

For all of these efforts, Richardson was selected as one of this year’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award winners. Earlier this year, Richardson was also named an Emerging Leader from the B.C. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Awards, as well as a Rising Star in the inaugural DIVERSEcity Black Brilliance Awards.

Congratulations, Dacious, and thank you for all the hard work you put into helping others!