CHief Executive officer
Charan Gill
Charan Gill is the founding president of Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society and for the past 23 years has been working as the CEO of the Society. Under his leadership, the Society has effectively addressed the socio-economic needs of the community at large. He has taken his many years of experience as a Social Worker and Community Activist to work on developing and implementing practical solutions to the community’s needs. For over 32 years, he has worked directly with immigrants, youth, seniors and the working poor.PICS was established in 1987 as a one-man organization. It has now developed into a major community organization with over 100 staff members. We offer many programs and services including language and settlement services, employment programs, housing for seniors, training, and programs for women and youth.
Charan, in his role as CEO of PICS, has also successfully established a multicultural seniors housing facility and adult day care centre. These housing projects are both innovative and unique and were a direct response to the changing familial dynamics within the Asian community.
Charan has been a tireless fighter for the farm workers for the past 30 years. He is a founding member and Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Farm Workers Union (CFU). It was formed to address the deplorably unsafe work conditions on farms across BC. To directly combat emerging racism within BC in 1980, he established the BC Organization to Fight Racism, and prevented the KKK from moving their hatred to BC.
Furthermore, he also established the Deol Agricultural Society, Canadian Anti-Racism Society and the Rainbow Community Health Co-operative (RCHC). Through these organizations PICS is able to assist newcomers, immigrants, seniors, women, children, youth and anyone else requiring assistance. Charan has devoted his life to working towards the betterment of his community because he believes that all people have the right to exercise their democratic rights and to live a happy, healthy and prosperous life.
Charan has received the following awards for his continuous community work: the Distinguished Service Award in 2011, the Top 25 Immigrants in Canada award in 2010, the BC Community Achievement Award in 2010, the Mewa Singh Lopoke Award in 2007, the GOPIO International Community Service Award in 2007, the Humanitarian Award by Pakastani Canadian Cultural Association (PCCA) in 2006, the Operation Remembrance Award by RCMP in 2006, United Way’s honoured VanDusen Community Service Award in 2002, the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, the prestigious Order of BC in 1999 and the BC Human Rights Award by MOSAIC in 1983.
Charan has been a tireless fighter for the farm workers for the past 30 years. He is a founding member and Secretary Treasurer of the Canadian Farm Workers Union (CFU). It was formed to address the deplorably unsafe work conditions on farms across BC. To directly combat emerging racism within BC in 1980, he established the BC Organization to Fight Racism, and prevented the KKK from moving their hatred to BC.
Furthermore, he also established the Deol Agricultural Society, Canadian Anti-Racism Society and the Rainbow Community Health Co-operative (RCHC). Through these organizations PICS is able to assist newcomers, immigrants, seniors, women, children, youth and anyone else requiring assistance. Charan has devoted his life to working towards the betterment of his community because he believes that all people have the right to exercise their democratic rights and to live a happy, healthy and prosperous life.
Charan has received the following awards for his continuous community work: the Distinguished Service Award in 2011, the Top 25 Immigrants in Canada award in 2010, the BC Community Achievement Award in 2010, the Mewa Singh Lopoke Award in 2007, the GOPIO International Community Service Award in 2007, the Humanitarian Award by Pakastani Canadian Cultural Association (PCCA) in 2006, the Operation Remembrance Award by RCMP in 2006, United Way’s honoured VanDusen Community Service Award in 2002, the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002, the prestigious Order of BC in 1999 and the BC Human Rights Award by MOSAIC in 1983.
(604) 596-7722