Fort St. John women’s resource society worker named April Co-op community champion

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — April’s Co-op community champion encourages everyone to get out into the community and volunteer to make a difference. 

Estefania Albornoz, manager of fundraising and community engagement at Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society, is April’s co-op community champion.

Albornoz first arrived in Dawson Creek from Colombia in April 2023 to study Business Management at Northern Lights College. In December 2023, Albornoz transferred to the Fort St. John campus.

Before coming to Fort St. John, Albornoz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism and a master’s degree in neuromarketing in Colombia. 

Albornoz said being named Co-op community champion for April came out of the blue. 

“I am very surprised, I did not expect it. I’ve seen the community champions in the past, I follow the section and it’s always someone who helps the community a lot. I am honoured to be nominated for this.”

In her work with the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society, Albornoz focuses on building connections with the community. 

“I organize events, try to engage with the community and tell them what we do at the society, who we help,” Albornoz said. “We organize events either as a fundraiser or just to give back to the community.”

She volunteers with both 100 Women Who Care and Rotary, and serves as a board member of the Spark Women’s Leadership Conference. 

“I’m always trying to look [for] how I can help, how I can use my spare time, going to as many events as possible, not only for the Women’s Resource Society but with other non-profits as well. When they need volunteers, I’m always there, willing to offer my time.” 

Albornoz said her favourite part of serving the community is getting out and meeting new people.

“I’m an immigrant, I’m a newcomer, I’ve been in Fort St John for around three years, and when I came here I knew no one,” she said. “When I decided to start volunteering, [I was like] ‘How can I use my time to get to know people and also give back to the community?’ [Because] thanks to Fort St. John, I have been able to achieve many goals in my life.” 

Albornoz urges everyone who wants to get involved in the community to find events to volunteer for. 

Despite all her work with the community, Albornoz gives credit to the people she works with. 

“I sometimes feel that I don’t deserve recognition for that, because that’s what I do… It’s my team, they actually serve the community.” 

As part of her nomination, Albornoz will receive a gift card of up to $100 at the Co-op, in addition to being featured in an article on Energeticcity.ca.

If you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their work in the community, visit the nomination page.