Daniel Marques from Marpole, Vancouver is This Year's Vimy Inspires Tomorrow Grant Winner

Daniel Marques is the winner of this year’s Vimy Inspires Tomorrow Grant for his plan to organize a Board Game Welcome Group

May 22, 2023 – Montreal, Qc – The Vimy Foundation

The Vimy Inspires Tomorrow program encourages youths between the ages of 13 and 17 to develop and utilize leadership skills by participating in six activities which draw on First World War history. The program and discussion-based activities encourage youth to apply lessons from history to their daily lives as future leaders. The activities are free of charge and are available to be completed virtually, or in person. After completing the modules, individuals or groups who submit compelling community project proposals are eligible to receive additional leadership and training in order to help youth make a positive impact in their community. One project is awarded a $1,500 grant to help the recipient implement their impactful, transformative community project and achieve their community goals. 

Daniel Marques is this year’s winner of the Vimy Inspires Tomorrow Grant for his plan to organize a Board Game Welcome Group at a local community space in Vancouver.

When Daniel first arrived in Canada, he could not speak English and it made it hard for him to make friends in school. But, by attending an after-school program during elementary school, Daniel was able to learn English and form friendships by playing board games. So through his Board Game Welcome Group, Daniel hopes to support other youth newcomers by creating a safe space to integrate into the community and make friends through board games. 

His plan aims to create a weekly board game group hosted at a local community space that will run for 8 weeks from October to January, and hopes to bring in 20-30 newcomers a week. 

We want to thank Veterans Affairs Canada for supporting Vimy Inspires Tomorrow. Veteran Affairs Canada provides financial support for individuals and organizations, offers mental and physical health services, and promotes education and remembrance programs.

For press statements or to learn more contact:

Kevin McGaw, Communications Coordinator, vimy@vimyfoundation.ca

Executive Director Caitlin Bailey is available for interview upon request.

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About The Vimy Foundation

The Vimy Foundation was established in 2006 and is a charity focused on raising awareness of the role Canada played in the First World War. In 2022, the Foundation amalgamated with the Canadian Centre for the Great War, a Montreal-based community museum dedicated to the First World War. The Foundation works to preserve and promote Canada's ongoing legacy of leadership and all activities originated by the Foundation have this aspect in mind and aim to help educate and raise awareness for youth and all Canadians. The First World War victory at Vimy Ridge in April 1917, a milestone where Canada came of age and was recognized on the world stage and acts as a symbol of this rich legacy.

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