EDITOR'S NOTE: This article originally appeared on MiltonToday.ca April 11.
Mike Borlongan and Ashwini Selvakumaran both call Milton home and have a vested interest in helping others.
They now share even more, as finalists for the 16th annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Awards.
Repeatedly recognized for her work with marginalized communities, mental health issues and the environment, Selvakumaran is the founder of the Brown Citizen Circle (BCC), which strives to connect BIPOC youth and help them overcome systemic barriers to representation.
Immigrating from Malaysia, she’s also a driving force with the Iroquoia Bruce Trail Club and continues to research environmental policy and justice as she pursues a Master’s in environment and sustainability at Western University.
She’s been honoured with – among other accolades – the Laadli Award for Ontario’s rising leaders of South Asian descent and the prestigious Princess Diana Award.
An accomplished architectural hardware consultant from the Philippines, Borlongan grew up with a deep-rooted love of basketball.
This led him to becoming a national collegiate player in his birth country, and – after moving to Canada – saw him start Milton Stags youth basketball in 2005.
The program has grown to include more 2,500 players.
Borlongan has served his community in a variety of other capacities, including as a member of of the Town of Milton’s Community Services Advisory Committee from 2013-17.
Click here to vote for Borlongan and Selvakumaran and to view profiles of the other finalists. Voting ends June 7.