Originally from Haywood, Yvette Souque recently received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medallion for her volunteer work with the Portage Learning & Literacy Centre (PLLC.)

The ceremony hosted by Portage-Lisgar M.P. Candice Bergen was at the Carman Legion held on November 27th,

Souque says she was pleasantly surprised to have received the award, although she is still curious about who nominated her.

Souque explains her volunteering journey started when she left the area in 1967 to go to places such as Montreal, Calgary, Australia and then Ottawa.

"I went to Ottawa in 1984, and in '84, I worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and then the African famine, then, as an assistant to the Immigration Minister and then in 92, I joined the Feds in the adult literacy and adults and family literacy."

She outlines that she moved back to the Portage area n 2007. From there, she joined the PLLC as a board member before becoming the Vice-Chair in 2013 and claimed the full Chair title in 2015, a role she still serves.

"I'm totally biased about this organization. It's phenomenal, and it's grown amazingly."

Souque recently wrote up the history of the PLLC from 1991 to 2010, noting she plans to write up the history from 2010 until the present day.

The 79-year-old adds that volunteerism is a huge part of ensuring communities stay afloat.

"There's a lot more volunteering in this town than people are aware of."

She notes that she plans to frame and hang her award in her home.

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