Spring 2026 E-Newsletter
In this issue:
Give to Gain
Staff Feature
Soup Sisters Event
Spring Wellness
Welcome New Volunteers
Summer Planning
GIVE TO GAIN
Reflections on International Women’s Day
Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day is recognized in Canada and around the world. The first International Women’s Day was organized in 1911 and has grown into a global movement. In some countries, International Women’s Day is a statutory holiday, but this recognition is not currently in place in Canada. 2026 marked 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day, including vital advocacy for women’s rights, along with recognizing and celebrating the contributions and achievements of women worldwide.
Willow Place marked this year’s International Women’s Day through online information and donation campaigns, and shelter program staff also held themed activities for participants. Community donor, Jenny S, and her family, once again provided a special treat of a pizza supper for the shelter program on March 8 – thank you for your incredible generosity, Jenny!
Each International Women’s Day has a theme, and this year’s theme was GIVE TO GAIN, encouraging community to recognize and support women-centered causes. International Women’s Day and the GIVE TO GAIN theme resonated deeply with our Willow Place team. Violence against women is increasing, and we witness those impacts on individuals, children and families in our daily work.
We continue to rely upon donor support to help sustain violence prevention efforts in Manitoba. Heartfelt thanks to all who have supported Willow Place, whether through volunteering, sharing our information, monetary donations or in-kind gifts – on International Women’s Day, and throughout the year.
The doors at Willow Place never close – crisis and shelter supports operate 24-H every day of the year. Thanks to our funders, sponsors, and community donors we hope to continue to provide a place of safety and healing for violence survivors.
Want to help Willow Place help others? DONATE ON CANADA HELPS – CLICK HERE!
In-kind donations questions? Call Kimi at 204-615-0313, ext. 245
STAFF FEATURE
Meet Shelter Support Worker, Analita B.
Analita is a long-term shelter support staff member. In her role, Analita fulfills many important priorities. Support workers typically have the greatest amount of interaction with shelter participants, and must manage multiple priorities. Recently, we asked Analita to share about her experience in Willow Place’s busy shelter program.
How long have you been a shelter support worker?
I have worked in this role for 14 years.
Are there individuals who have supported you in your career?
Management/administration encourages me to do my best. I always feel supported and when I have questions I get answers in a respectful way.
What are your favourite parts of your job?
I enjoy facilitating activities to build community and a sense of belonging among participants, as well as child-minding so participants can attend counseling and take care of personal needs.
Do you have any tips for those who want to pursue a career as a shelter support worker?
It is important to consistently deliver high quality work, take constructive feedback and use it to improve your performance, positive attitude, ethics and your dedication at work.
Shelter work can be very challenging and demanding – how do you stay healthy and keep a positive attitude? I maintain work-life balance, focus on solutions, maintain a growth mindset, and set boundaries to protect my mental health. I always seek ways to bring fun and engagement into my daily routine.
Do you have any other advice you would like to share?
“When someone disrespects you, don’t react, don’t argue, don’t explain yourself! Not every situation deserves your energy. Simply remove your presence and walk away. Your silence will say more that your words ever could. Protecting your peace is more important than proving your point.”
THANK YOU, ANALITA! We appreciate both your contributions to the shelter program and your willingness to share about your role with Willow Place.
SOUP SISTERS EVENT
Tickets available for May 2026 soup-making!
Willow Place has been very fortunate to have been supported by Winnipeg Soup Sisters for over ten years! Soup Sisters was founded in Calgary in 2009, and our local Winnipeg group is led by three friends, Miriam, Harriet and Sandi, who wanted to help others in need by supplying comforting homemade soups.
Originally, soup-making events were held several times a year, but after the COVID pandemic, Winnipeg Soup Sisters adjusted to four events per year. Anyone can participate by purchasing a ticket and attending the event to help make soup. The soup-making events are a great way to bond as friends or family, or to foster team-building with work or club colleagues. Ticket fees pay for soup-making costs, and all soup is donated to Willow Place. An average event will supply our shelter program with over 100 liters of five soup varieties.
The next Winnipeg Soup Sisters event is coming soon!
Date: Sunday, May 31
Time: 4:45 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Fairmont Winnipeg, 2 Lombard Place (lower level, banquet room)
Ticket cost: $72.00 per person
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Arrival of guests at 4:45 pm at the Fairmont Winnipeg (lower level – take escalator to lower level from main lobby
- Guests enjoy appetizers and a glass of wine served by Fairmont Winnipeg staff
- Guests listen to information from Soup Sisters, Fairmont Winnipeg’s attending chef and Willow Place staff
- Guests enter the professional kitchen to make soup from Soup Sisters recipes (attendees are divided into five groups, each makes one kind of soup together) – Fairmont chefs have shopped for ingredients, and have some things prepared ahead of time (e.g., broth, ingredients sorted by station).
- A favourite activity is tasting the different soups, once everything is simmering! Often chefs offer helpful tips as well!
- While soups are simmering, all guests return to banquet room to enjoy soup, salad, bread, tea or coffee.
- After the shared meal, everyone returns to kitchen to package and label soups.
- Final step – group photos which are shared to Soup Sisters social media!
Interested in attending the next event? Please email: hzimmer55@gmail.com
SPRING WELLNESS
Easy countdown activity for wellbeing
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious? The 5-4-3-2-1 sensory countdown technique is an easy, safe way to regulate thoughts, feelings and body sensations and can be done anywhere, at any time. Including 5-4-3-2-1 as part of a short daily walk outdoors adds further benefits of fresh air and gentle activity.
Here is a brief breakdown of what the 5-4-3-2-1 walk activity looks like:
5) What are five things you SEE – this can be anything around you, identify the first five things you notice (just acknowledge and name, internally or aloud, what you see).
4) What are four things around you that you can TOUCH – if possible and appropriate, actually touch the things (e.g., tree bark, dripping water, rock, etc.). You can also touch things on your person: hand, scarf, jeans, hair, etc.
3) What are three things you HEAR – e.g., birds, traffic, people talking etc.
2) What re two things you SMELL – this can be more difficult, but if outdoors you may be able to tune into more scents than you initially detect, particularly with practice. What does fresh air smell like? What does wet earth smell like?
1) Acknowledge one thing you can TASTE – if there is nothing immediate (e.g., taste in your mouth, gum etc.), imagine something you can taste like coffee – this could be stimulated from things you smell or see as you walk.
AFTERWARD & ONGOING
When you return from your walk, take a few minutes to reflect. You can write down your 5-4-3-2-1 thoughts and remembrances, list the sensory items you detected, or make a doodle or drawing. You may even want to start a Sensory Walk Journal!
The 5-4-3-2-1 sensory walk can be done silently alone, or more interactively with a friend or small group. If doing the activity with others, do not share or talk about your sensations until the walk is over – this allows others space and time to tune into their own perceptions – there is no right or wrong, or “better answer.”
The 5-4-3-2-1 countdown activity without walking can be done at any time you feel overwhelmed, stressed or anxious. This easy countdown exercise helps to bring the mind and body back to the present moment, supports improved self-awareness, and has a calming, centering effect.
WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS
Willow Place is thrilled to welcome new shelter support volunteers, Amy P. and Bev L. Both Amy and Bev completed volunteer training in February 2026, and had shelter program orientations in March. They each bring a wealth of experience, skill, paired with enthusiasm for helping others. We feel very fortunate to have them join our team!
Each month, Willow Place benefits from the shared time and talent of more than 15 volunteers, including our board of directors, support volunteers, donation volunteers and handyperson volunteer. Willow Place Community Team staff oversee volunteer recruitment and training, with the exception of board of directors volunteers. Board volunteer recruitment and training is managed by the board.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email: volunteer@willowplace.ca
Volunteer opportunities are posted on our website at: CLICK HERE FOR INFO!
SUMMER PLANNING
Shelter Program Day Camp & Gardening Program
Long before the ice and snow start to melt, our team is busy preparing for spring and summer. We are excited to plan ahead for the summer day camp program for children in shelter, along with gardening activities in our outdoor growing areas known as The Healing Garden.
About Summer Day Camp
When our shelter school closes for summer vacation, summer day camp provides weekday activities for school age children. Willow Place seeks grant funding each year to hire two youth who run the day camp program. The program provides structured play-based programming. Weekly outings to museums, parks and more are made possible by donations from Winnipeg organizations including the Manitoba Museum, The Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club, The Assiniboine Park Conservatory, Manitoba Children’s Museum, Western Canadian Aviation Museum, Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
About the Healing Garden Project
Our Healing Garden Project began several years ago, and has evolved from one homemade box garden and a couple of flower pots to a larger urban garden space with several raised beds. Last year, Willow Place was gifted four additional raised beds, handmade from reclaimed wood by Snowman Project founder, Blaine Wall. Blaine’s wonderful donation has allowed for more shelter participants to get involved in garden activities. SNOWMAN PROJECT INFO (click here!)
Both the day camp and gardening projects rely on donations. We have a list of many supply needs, and monetary donations are also appreciated! Questions? Please call Kimi at 204-615-0313, ext. 245
DONATE ON CANADA HELPS – CLICK HERE! Please indicate which program you would like to support on the donation form. THANK YOU for supporting Willow Place’s shelter program!
