A Morden resident has been honoured for her efforts to get involved in the community and especially help other newcomers like herself.
Serena Aguinaldo was a recipient of a Community Spark Award as part of the 2025 Manitoba Mosaic Awards.
The Manitoba Mosaic Awards honour newcomers, immigrants, refugees and community champions whose leadership, compassion and creativity help build a more inclusive and welcoming province, and Aguinaldo was nominated by Shelly Voth, who has been the immigration co-ordinator for the City of Morden and is now the community development co-ordinator.
“I am just kind of overwhelmed,” Aquinaldo said in advance of receiving the award at a ceremony in Winnipeg last Thursday. “Actually, I am in awe. It’s such an incredible honour, and I was very surprised to be receiving this award, and I’m just truly grateful for this recognition.”
In her nomination of Aguinaldo, Voth noted how “since immigrating to Canada in 2016, she has dedicated herself to serving our community in countless ways. Serena is one of those people that you run into at almost every community event, often finding out that she has some small or large part in the organization and/or delivery of that event.
“At newcomer welcome evenings, she goes out of her way to greet new families, share her own experiences and connect them with local resources. For some, she is one of the first friendly faces they meet in Canada, as she and her husband have volunteered to meet others at the airport on arrival,” she continued. “Through her leadership at Winterfest and Filippino community events, Serena has built platforms where cultural identity is celebrated openly. This recognition helps people feel included and valued.
“What is most inspiring about Serena’s involvement in our community is that she is a great example of a newcomer thriving in community leadership,” Voth added. “She has become a fixture on many committees that are beyond that of her own cultural identity, blending her unique experiences with roles that enhance the entire Morden community.
“As in many other rural communities across Manitoba, it can be difficult for someone new to break into general leadership, and even more difficult for someone new to be accepted and appreciated in these roles by the broad community.
“Serena and her family arrived in Canada less than a decade ago, but her family has been become a fixture in so many important ways. Her perspective as a newcomer makes her leadership deeply meaningful, as she understands what it feels like to arrive and not yet feel at home, so she works tirelessly to ensure others don’t feel that way.
Aguinaldo said she simply wants to pay it forward for the help that she received when they came here.
“Our arrival here was made unforgettable by so many people who supported us the moment we set foot in this community. That was back in 2016 when we immigrated to Morden,” she recalled.
“We just received so much support, so much love, we never felt like a stranger in this community. We were taken care of like a member of the family … and that made a lasting impact, and it inspired us to follow these people’s examples to one day inspire others by giving back.”
She wants to help keep building a stronger community for everyone, and this honour inspires her to keep contributing.
“This motivates me to keep giving back and ensuring every member of our community feels welcomed and supported and empowered to contribute just like how we felt when we first came here.
“Everyone has something unique to offer … so don’t under-estimate the impact that you can make,” she said. “Look for volunteering opportunities that are out there.”
