Sher Vancouver
  • SERVICES
  • SPONSORS
  • COUNSELLING
  • OPPORTUNITIES
  • DONATE
  • FILMS
  • PRESS
  • RESOURCES
  • YOUTH AWARD
  • PARTNERS
  • CONTACT

Recognizing engagement, achievement and leadership in the queer community

Picture

​The January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award is an annual award bestowed upon a deserving youth who is 16 to 30 years of age and who has demonstrated involvement, commitment and leadership in the queer community whether locally, nationally and/or internationally.  

The January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award has been given every year since 2015. 

Any youth anywhere who are 16 to 30 are eligible.  You do not have to be queer or South Asian.  Sher Vancouver welcomes all youth doing amazing things in the queer community.  

Emerging Youth Leaders

Due to the high number of strong applicants there is an unfair advantage for applicants who are in their mid-twenties to 30 because they have more life experience to put on their applications.  The younger applicants who are 16 to 23 essentially cannot compete.
 
As a result Sher Vancouver will be donating $800 for four Emerging Youth Leaders prizes this year.  Sher Vancouver will be giving four cash prizes of $200 each to Emerging Youth Leaders.  They will also receive a letter of congratulations and a framed certificate.
 
Please note any applicant including younger applicants will be considered for the Top 4 prizes as well.  
​Application Deadline

Applications are accepted throughout the year from January 1st to December 31st. Winners are announced early in the following year. 

All application materials are to be submitted in English.

Winners will need to provide a short follow-up report within a year describing how the funds were spent. Prize money is to continue your volunteer work and community service within the queer community.

The overall winner from previous years are ineligible to re-apply, however, runner ups can apply again.
​
Apply Today
Sample Jury Selection, Jury Instructions, and Jury Process

Cash
Prizes



​Winner: $1,000 CAD
1st Runner Up: $600 CAD
2nd Runner Up: $400 CAD
Honourable Mention: $200 CAD
​Emerging Youth Leaders $200 CAD

Winners will receive a letter of congratulations, a certificate, and a cash prize. 

Previous Winners 

​2021 - Crecien Bencio
2020 - Christopher Nkambwe
​2019 - Norma Lize
2018 - Shilpa Narayan
2017 - Prachi Khanna
2016 - Sukhdeep Singh
2015 - Jaspreet Chahal 
Picture

Who Was January?

January Marie Lapuz was born on April 9, 1986, in Santiago City, Philippines and passed away on September 30, 2012, in New Westminster, B.C. 

January was the Social Coordinator of Sher Vancouver, and was the first transgender person to hold an executive position within the organization.

She welcomed new members, connected them to information and support services, and helped organize and plan social activities and events. A singer and dancer, she also performed at Sher events. She was a kind, caring, generous and loyal friend, who helped other transgender women with their gender transition. 
Picture
January had many challenges and struggles as an immigrant, as a person of colour and as a transgender woman living in poverty.  Nonetheless, she was a bright light and shining star in Sher Vancouver.

She had a special ability to get people to put their differences aside and move forward in the best interests of each other and the organization.

​Not a day goes by that January’s friends don’t miss her.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR JANUARY MARIE LAPUZ


https://januaryfilm.com/​
 

    Apply for the Youth Award

    500-word maximum statement demonstrating involvement, commitment and leadership in the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
    500-word statement demonstrating social adversity and the impact it has had (this will be kept confidential).
    Please provide up to 5 website links that show your work on the internet (preferable a third party) that verify your involvement in the community. social media, articles, or anything else you find relevant.
    For Demographic & Statistical Purposes (Optional)
Submit
Questions
info@shervancouver.com

Say hello!
We'd love to hear from you.

EMAIL US
DONATE TODAY
​Charitable Number: 708924097 RR 0001
​© Sher Vancouver, 2022
    Sign up to receive news and updates from Sher Vancouver.

    Email:
Subscribe
  • SERVICES
  • SPONSORS
  • COUNSELLING
  • OPPORTUNITIES
  • DONATE
  • FILMS
  • PRESS
  • RESOURCES
  • YOUTH AWARD
  • PARTNERS
  • CONTACT