2023
Power of PJs
November is DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH and Willow Place is collecting donations of new pajamas for women and children in our shelter program. In 2022-2023, our shelter program saw an increase in numbers seeking shelter, counting over 13,450 stays (average yearly is about 9,000 stays). More than ever, we need community support to raise awareness of violence prevention needs in our region, in our nation, and throughout the world.
To donate, please call Renee at 204-615-0313, ext. 231 or Pam at 204-615-0313, ext. 237
Monetary gifts can be directed for the Power of PJs campaign through Canada Helps:
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
2023
Willow Place Summer 2023 E-Newsletter
GROWING SPACES
Grant funding supports shelter
Outdoor growing areas at our family violence shelter program received a welcome boost this spring, thanks to an Urban Ag and Community Garden grant (City of Winnipeg). Funds received enabled us to purchase plants, supplies and equipment, including expandable garden hoses.
Willow Place’s healing garden is a small, welcoming space where those sheltering with us can putter and reconnect with the outdoors. For many, it is a first-time experience to plant or tend a garden. This year our growing spaces include containers and raised beds, and include tomatoes, squash, flowers and aromatic herbs. Special thanks to our teacher, Lisa S., and to donor, Dick M., for their support with gardening tasks and acquiring plants.
Are you looking for ways to enjoy summer produce? Here are some ideas!
MINT: delicious watermelon salad
CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE!
CUCUMBERS and RADISHES: cool & creamy salad
CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE!
ZUCCHINI: yummy one pot pasta
CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE!
GOVERNOR GENERAL VISIT
Willow Place Shelter Program
June 6, our shelter program was honoured by a visit from Her Excellency, the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon. Her Excellency met with shelter program participants as well as Willow Place staff, and walked through our program spaces with her team. Program participants expressed the importance of services for those fleeing family violence, and that expanded supports were needed. One mother with young children expressed her appreciation for our on-site school.
Thank you to her Excellency and her team for including Willow Place family violence shelter program on their Manitoba visit itinerary. Manitoba consistently experiences some of the highest crime rates, child poverty rates, and family violence per capita in Canada.
2023 ECUADOR CHALLENGE FOR SHELTER
Chris Pennycook sets $100k goal
Winnipeg resident and Royal LePage Dynamic real estate agent, CHRIS PENNYCOOK, is once again participating in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s Ecuador Trek fundraiser. This November, Chris will be traveling to a rugged and remote region of Ecuador for an arduous 5-day hike to raise money for Willow Place, and has set a fundraising goal of $100,000.
We are so grateful for the awareness and funds Chris and other Royal LePage agents are raising through the Trek initiative! Willow Place relies upon donors and third party fundraising events like the Trek to sustain our work, and we encourage you to share the word, to follow Chris, and to donate if you are able.
CLICK HERE FOR INFO! Thank you, Chris & the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation!
DONATION HIGHLIGHTS
Caring community makes a difference!
Thank you to the many amazing donors who have helped our family violence shelter program in recent weeks. We tend to receive fewer donations in the summer months, so these supporters have been especially helpful. Sadly, family violence does not take a vacation, and our donation needs continue year-round. Willow Place could not provide many daily essentials without the support of caring community; we are so grateful for your thoughtful generosity.
Each year Willow Place supports about 1,000 women and children in the shelter program alone.
DONATE: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/27770?v2=true
WISH LIST: https://willowplaceshelter.ca/wish-list/
AMAZON WISH LIST: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/3KAE8O4STE7GS?ref_=wl_share
Note: for all donation inquiries, call 204-615-0313, ext. 237 or ext. 231 (weekdays, daytime hours)
Thank you for your thoughtful support!
ROYAL LEPAGE DYNAMIC
Declutter for a Cause a huge success
Royal LePage Dynamic’s DECLUTTER for a CAUSE garage sale on May 28th was a resounding success, raising over $10,000 for Willow Place. THANK YOU to the Royal LePage Dynamic team, and to all those who donated sale item and/or shopped the sale. Your support will help Willow Place sustain 24-hour family violence supports for diverse needs!
HOCKEY HELPS THE HOMELESS
Annual fundraising tournament returns
Plans are underway for the next annual HOCKEY HELPS THE HOMELESS fundraising event in Winnipeg, November 2 and 3, 2023. November 2 is draft night and November 3 is the tournament day. HOCKEY HELPS THE HOMELESS allows players to fundraise while they skate with the pros, with each team having a professional hockey captain. Willow Place is grateful to be one of three charities who benefit; other beneficiaries include Resource Assistance for Youth (RAY), and Red Road Lodge.
Teams are close to being sold out, including four women’s teams, but sponsorship, donation and volunteer opportunities are still available. If you are interested in joining the Winnipeg event committee, please email Lacey Tryon[email protected] or Scott Sullivan [email protected]
For game day or draft night volunteering info:https://hhth.akaraisin.com/ui/F2023WPG/volunteer
Be a GAME-CHANGER! Donate, volunteer, play, sponsor – THANK YOU!
THIRD PARTY FUNDRAISING
Inspiring ways to help Willow Place
Third party fundraising is a significant contributor to Willow Place’s donation needs. We are continually inspired by the creative ways individuals, businesses and organizations opt to help us. Third party events not only raise much-needed revenue for Willow Place, they also help to spread awareness of both community need, and also about available supports. These events are especially meaningful, as the majority of Willow Place’s staffing component is directed to 24-hour family violence crisis supports, leaving very little time for staff to fundraise.
Thank you to the following groups and individuals who helped with third party fundraising in recent weeks, and who are currently planning events – we appreciate you:
Yoga in the Park – June event raised $1,500
J’Adore Body Sugaring – promotion to collect wish list items for the shelter
Blush Beauty Bar St. Vital – collected donations for their July grand opening event
Insurance Institute of Manitoba – September Trivia Night fundraiser planned
Lilystone Gardens – August “appetizers and entertainment” event planned
For questions and for information re: planning a third party event, please contact Willow Place Community Coordinator, Pam: 204-615-0313, ext. 237 (weekdays, daytime hours).
2023
FVCM REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
The Family Violence Consortium of Manitoba (FVCM) is seeking an independent contractor to evaluate creating a collective impact backbone organization for the gender-based violence sector (in transition from Gender Equity Manitoba (formerly the Family Violence Prevention Program, Manitoba Government.
SCOPE OF WORK
Conduct a comprehensive review of the needs of current agencies funded by Gender Equity Manitoba (GEM), Province of Manitoba, and provide recommendations for creation of a collective impact backbone organization to support gender-based violence sector moving forward.
COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Is a network of community members, organizations and institutions who advance equity by learning together, and via aligning and integrating their actions to achieve population and system-level change.
The FAMILY VIOLENCE CONSORTIUM OF MANITOBA (FVCM)
Represents a network of over 30 family violence prevention organizations funded by GEM, and consisting of family violence shelters, second stage family violence programs and housing; resource centers, urban support programs, and specialized services, who provide service and support to Manitobans impacted by violence and abuse.
VISION
Healthy, strong communities and people with women, gender diverse individuals, and families who are proud and empowered; well-supported by organizations and programs which honour their stories, recognize the impact of colonialism, and which work collaboratively to share, undertake and give voice to best practices.
WE BELIEVE
That all elements of the overall caring and support systems, both public and community, have a responsibility to eliminate violence and to support conditions favourable for thriving and successful outcomes, within Manitoba and beyond.
TIMELINES
Consultation and scope of work to begin August 2023, with all deliverables completed by March 31, 2024.
Draft report to be completed by January 22, 2024.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT/CONSULTANT
Required to conduct consultations with all GEM-funded organizations to determine priorities, capacity and needs, as well as overall system strengths and challenges within family violence prevention sector.
Travel to all regions of the Province of Manitoba may be required. Research will inform recommendations re: establishing a backbone organizations in a formal report. The report will summarize all interviews, outline the process used, and resulting recommendations.
The consultant will communicate directly with the FVCM Executive. Dissemination and recommendations resulting from the report are the responsibility of the FVCM Executive.
SCOPE OF CONSULTATION
-GEM-funded agencies, each requiring consultation
-GEM (formerly FVPP), Department of Families, Province of Manitoba
-Literature review/sector scan relative to the sector (family violence and gender-based violence) that may inform a collective impact model
-Specifically address current gaps, priority areas for advocacy, capacity-building, collaboration and collective impact, that would form the focus of a backbone agency
-Collection of data, analysis, and comprehensive report including recommendations based upon collective stakeholder feedback, including (but not limited to) structure and governance; required staff positions and job descriptions; budget, work plan (e.g., action items and target dates)
-Develop a process for selecting the recommended structure
SECTORAL REVIEW
Creation of a comprehensive report and recommendations focused on key areas, including:
-Collective impact two-day sector retreat (February 9 and 10, 2023)
-Assess funded agencies’ resources, capacity, and priority needs, including systemic barriers
-Assess gaps in sector’s continuum of services, and collaboration across funded sector
-Assess and identify recommendations for possible options re: Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) and backbone organization to work together (e.g., amalgamation, co-existing and collaborative structures, etc.)
-Assess ways in which 2SMMIWG+ Implementation Committee and new backbone organization may work collaboratively
-Identify areas of advocacy and shared voice that are priorities
-Assess capacity and training needs across funded sector
-Assess data collection gaps across funded sector
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
-Understanding of non-profit environment, collective impact models, and gender-based analysis
-Ability to implement priorities identified by Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Calls for Justice, into research, analysis and recommendations
-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; specifically community outreach and community conversations
-Exceptional written communication and ability to produce comprehensive report documents
-Exceptional project management skills, collections and analysis of data; ability to brainstorm strategies, organization, and ability to disseminate information clearly and concisely
-Driven, reliable, analytical problem-solver, able to meet all required deliverables within established timeframes
-Demonstrated ability to work from a decolonizing, anti-racist lens, with strong understanding of intersectionality and inclusion of lived-experience and local context
PROPOSED GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
Proposal must be submitted by email and must include the following:
-Qualifications and knowledge re: consultation and organizational design projects (including research, data and interview collection; report writing)
-Detailed description of methodology (approach and process) for developing and implementing a consultation plan; methodology should balance engagement as well as efficiency per project timelines
-Detailed project outline including activities, work plan, timelines with clear deliverables, and progress toward milestones
-Detailed fee proposal including costs and timelines for invoicing and payment schedule (inclusive of all expenses, including consultant fees, technology, travel, etc.)
-Three letters of reference from former professional service clients or similar project from past five years
-Provide example document reflecting similar past project
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023 AT 4:30 P.M. (CDT)
Please submit proposal to Cynthia Drebot ([email protected])
Please state “RFP FVCM Hiring Committee” in the subject line of your email.
2022
WILLOW PLACE NEWS – February 2022
WINTER WELLNESS
Supporting well-being: body, mind and spirit
Maybe you have heard of the winter blues? The shorter days, extreme cold temperatures and factors like challenging road conditions and transportation concerns can amplify feelings of isolation and higher stress levels that can occur during long, prairie winters. For the past two years the impact of the coronavirus has contributed additional stresses.
The good news is that small changes can really tip the balance toward a happier and healthier winter! Suggestions include taking a walk outdoors daily to both support healthy immune, physical strength and endurance, as well as mental health. Just 10-15 minutes can make a difference!
Hydration is also important – winter air can be dry, and with many of us wearing COVID masks, it takes a bit of extra effort and awareness to remain well-hydrated. One guideline suggests one glass of water for every 10 kg of body weight, so a person weighing 70 kg should aim for 7 glasses of water a day. Not a water drinker? Start slowly, and boost hydration with herbal tea or soups.
Social needs can suffer during the winter. Setting up check-ins with friends or family that live alone; for those working from home, or confined to home by weather or illness, can be transformative for both parties. Volunteering once or twice a month, including random acts of kindness, also help with social needs, as well as another fantastic benefit – did you know that when you help others, it triggers a biochemical reaction to support a healthier immune system?
Preparing meals in advance, and freezing portions for later use can also support wellness, providing a break on days when you feel too tired to cook. Preparing extra soup to share with a friend or neighbour, running an errand, or offering a ride on a cold day, are examples of small gestures that offer a welcome boost to both the giver and the receiver of the kindness. Where health precautions allow, connecting with a family member or neighbour to share bulk purchases and meal preparation can also build positive supports, and lessen the burden of meal preparation and food costs.
Another wellbeing tip to beat the winter blues is trying a new hobby or activity – many options are available online and with low or no cost. Having something to look forward to is a wonderful thing, and depending on the format, hobbies can also support social needs.
Acceptance is possibly the most important aspect to managing wellness – what are some things you can only enjoy in winter? Appreciating where you are at can support shifting the focus to things you have and can do, versus what you may lack. Listing what you are grateful for each day, and posting it where you will see it throughout the day is a helpful way to see potential in each day, regardless of the weather or season.
Here are some links to support your winter wellness goals:
https://www.winnipegtrails.ca/trails-maps/ GET OUTDOORS
19/https://financialgym.com/blog/2020/2/8/how-to-meal-prep-on-a-budget MEAL PREP ON A BUDGET
https://www.crayola.com/crafts/ GET CRAFTY
GRANTS UPDATE
Sustaining vital programs; responding to needs
Increasingly, Willow Place relies upon donations, fundraising and grant funds to sustain 24-hour family violence prevention programs and supports. Willow Place continues to see higher demand for our services, along with increased operational costs, due to the coronavirus pandemic. We are also seeing individuals seeking support with more acute and complex needs. Willow Place must continually re-assess and adapt service delivery to meet changing needs. As such, we are especially thankful for the following organizations who have provided granted funds:
Women’s Shelters Canada, COVID recovery grant
Second Harvest Canada, food security grant
Healthy Together Now, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority – healthy living grant
Hockey Helps the Homeless, housing support grant
Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, granted funds from agent fundraising
Winnipeg Foundation, family fund grants for general operations
Abundance Canada, gifting funds for general operations
We envision a future where healthy relationships flourish – thank you for sharing in this vision!
Text support: 204-792-5302
CAREER FEATURE- SHELTER SUPPORT
Making a difference daily
The shelter support worker role is fundamental to Willow Place’s family violence shelter program. Shelter support workers are versatile and highly skilled individuals who provide a wide range of valuable supports to women and children in the shelter program. Support workers may manage 24-hour reception desk duties, while assisting with new participant intake and orientation to the shelter, and meeting daily needs of diverse participants in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. To allow mothers time to meet with counsellors, take a shower or make phone calls, shelter support may assist with child-minding. Coordination of meal-times, snacks and preparation and cleaning of rooms and common areas, as also areas where shelter support plays a vital role. Twice weekly, support workers will facilitate house meetings with shelter residents, to share guidelines and information with participants, and to hear and bring forward participant concerns. Shelter support workers also support receiving and organizing of donations. Maintaining safe and comfortable spaces is only possible with the contributions of shelter support staff – throughout COVID there have been additional tasks required, including more frequent general sanitizing as well as deep-cleaning routines.
Here is what Shelter Support Worker, Analita, had to say:
Q: What is your favourite aspect of the shelter support role?
A: Getting to work directly with the women and children who are in shelter and supporting participants in activities such as games, crafts and groups
Q: What is one thing you have learned?
A: Learning to communicate positively with women from different cultural backgrounds and supporting individuals who are involved in abusive relationships
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a shelter support worker?
A: This line of work can be stressful, lean on your coworkers and support them in the same way – always make sure to find time for laughter!
FOR WILLOW PLACE CAREERS OPPORTUNTIES: https://willowplaceshelter.ca/careers/
OUTREACH PROGRAM
Serving diverse needs in community
Outreach is an important service provided by Willow Place, both on our own and with partner organizations. Outreach is needed for a number of reasons – for example, for earlier intervention when individuals are facing relationship difficulties. The outreach program allows Willow Place to support a broader variety of needs, including supports for women, men, and also couples. Participants in outreach programming can access trauma-informed counselling and referral to other beneficial supports.
Willow Place counsellor, Sherri, provides outreach services by phone and also on-site with community partners and offered the following insights:
Q: What are some things you have learned or observed in the outreach program?
A: I was reminded today of how abuse does not discriminate. No matter the gender, race, educational level or socio-economic status, abuse can affect anyone
Q: Can you share a success story?
A: I have been blessed to walk alongside an individual that has connected back to their roots and traditional ways after fleeing an abusive relationship. What an honour to bear witness to someone moving from crisis toward thriving
Q: What is a something that inspires you in your work?
A: “The most important relationship we can all have is the one you have with yourself.†~ Aristotle.
For 24-hour info and support: 1-877-977-0007 or 204-615-0311
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Donate, share and connect
There are many ways to support Willow Place – all support, large and small is appreciated and makes a difference for participants of our family violence shelter and outreach programs! Willow Place relies upon both in-kind and monetary support to fund our services and to provide a wide array of essentials for our participants. We keep a wish list on our web site for those wishing to donate in-kind items. Due to limited space and staffing resources, we cannot accept all in-kind donations, but will happily refer donors to community partners who may be in need of certain items.
Another great way to support Willow Place is by sharing our information! Willow Place provides information on programs and services, family violence statistics, donation needs, community partnerships, healthy relationships and wellness on our web site and social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest. When you follow Willow Place and share our posts, you let others know about resources available in our region.
In recent months, Willow Place has been inspired by the kindness, generosity and creativity of caring community members! Domino’s Pizza and Supper Central have shared meals for shelter participants; EMK Clothing has donated proceeds of sales via their Kindness campaign; and many local crafters have shared quilts, afghans, mittens, scarves. Recently, the Alt Hotel, Winnipeg has donated gently used bedding and towels, and I.C.E Recreational Marketing donated 30 boxes of children’s COVID masks! Winnipeg Soup Sisters continue to bring family packs of frozen soup to feed our shelter participants, along with wonderful wish list items collected from community. Calendar Club stores have provided several large bags of new charity teddy bears for the shelter, and SuperStore locations in Winnipeg continue to support us with occasional donations of Joe Fresh clothing and other items. Chatters Salons have made several general donations of hair care products in the last year, and Richlu Manufacturing, Tough Duck staff and management have supported Willow Place year-round, including during the holiday season, and in the summer months with “Christmas in July†initiatives to fulfill wish list needs of our shelter program – truly amazing!
The coronavirus pandemic has radically changed so many things and has presented many challenges, including widespread economic impacts. One bright spot, however, has been increased awareness of the need for family violence prevention services, and improved online giving support. Willow Place also maintains an Amazon Wish List to make purchasing decisions easier for donors, and uses Canada Helps for safe and convenient monetary donations.
Here are some helpful links to support Willow Place!
WILLOW PLACE WISH LIST https://willowplaceshelter.ca/wish-list/
AMAZON WISH LIST https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/3KAE8O4STE7GS?ref_=wl_share
CANADA HELPS https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/27770
