We are proud to announce the 2019 recipient of the Janusz Korczak Statuette Award in recognition of Caring for Children in the Spirit of Dr. Korczak:

Mr. Irwin Elman

For his commitment and dedication to children and youth wellbeing and social justice in his capacity of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth of Ontario.

Irwin Elman was appointed Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth of Ontario in 2008, the first independent Child and Youth Advocate for the province. Prior to becoming the Provincial Advocate, Irwin was the Manager of the Pape Adolescent Resource Centre in Toronto (PARC) for more than 20 years. The award-winning organization supports young people as they leave child welfare care. Later, he served as the Director of Client Service at Central Toronto Youth Services, an innovative children’s mental health centre. For his work, Irwin has been recognized in 2007 with the Outstanding Achievement Recognition Award from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services; he was named one of 10 Canadian Heroes of 2006, by MacLean’s Magazine; and received the Outstanding Youth Service Award from the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies in 2003.  He also received an Honorary Degree from the University of Guelph-Humber.