Pastor Vivian N. Etuka is the Founder & Executive Director of Bethel Outreach Community Services (BOCS), a community advocate and food justice champion whose work is rooted in one belief: everyone deserves to live with dignity, regardless of income, culture, ability, or circumstance.

In 2019, Pastor Etuka founded BOCS in Brampton, Ontario, initially supporting approximately 50 families and individuals each week. Under her leadership, BOCS has grown into a trusted community organization serving hundreds of families weekly through culturally responsive food security, school nutrition, senior wellness, newcomer and refugee support, youth development, accessibility initiatives, and other wraparound services.

A central focus of Pastor Etuka’s advocacy has been culturally inclusive food security and food justice. She has championed access to African, Caribbean, and other culturally familiar foods, firmly believing that food is more than nourishment it is history, culture, wellbeing, dignity, and a safe space. This commitment has helped establish BOCS as a leader in ethnically responsive food access and led to the delivery of Peel Region’s first Afro-Caribbean culturally inclusive school lunch initiative, providing thousands of free, hot meals to elementary school children.

Her advocacy extends beyond food. Pastor Etuka has championed stronger school food programs, accessibility, economic dignity, and better opportunities for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities. She has participated in national advocacy efforts supporting permanent investment in school food and works alongside organizations advocating for disability inclusion and poverty reduction.

Pastor Etuka is also an equal community partner in the groundbreaking 13,000-square-foot Brampton Food HUB, a collaborative community space advancing food security, connection, dignity, and wellbeing in Brampton.

Her leadership and advocacy have been recognized through several honours, including the City of Brampton Inspiration Award, National Impact Award for Advocacy, and United Way Community Leadership Award, among other recognitions.

Today, Pastor Etuka continues to use her voice to advocate for systemic change while ensuring BOCS remains deeply connected to the people it was created to serve. For her, community work is not simply about providing services—it is about ensuring that people feel seen, respected, represented, and given a genuine opportunity to thrive.