On March 4th, 2016, Alan Ngo received the Governor General’s Caring Canadian award in recognition of his extraordinary volunteer commitment. Created in 1995, this award recognizes individuals who volunteer their time to help others and to build a smarter and more caring nation. The award highlights the fine example set by volunteers, whose compassion and engagement are so much a part of our Canadian character.Alan has volunteered as a Career Mentor at MOSAIC since the birth of this program six years ago. In that time he has dedicated more than 400 hours to coach, guide and support newcomer professionals moving their career to Canada. Alan has ceaselessly taken extra miles to help 17 newcomers individually and many more newcomers through group mentoring sessions. 
Alan has an amazing story himself. He arrived in Canada 26 years ago as a refugee fleeing from the Vietnamese civil war. He went through ups and downs settling in a new country with his family and starting his life over. He truly understands the challenges that newcomers face when they arrive in Canada.What makes Alan unique amongst mentors is his outstanding willingness. He is always available to help. He is absolutely dedicated to furthering the success of newcomers. For six consecutive years, he has been actively engaged, sharing his time and experience. In midst of a busy schedule, Alan sets aside time weekly to meet his mentees from the evenings to the wee hours of the morning including 7am on Sunday mornings.For more information about the recent award ceremony in Vancouver see: http://www.gg.ca/event.aspx?id=1279
