2025
Featured Willow Place Spring E-Newsletter
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS – Women’s Health Clinic
We are so grateful for ongoing support for our shelter program through Women’s Health Clinic. This partnership allows for bi-weekly doctor visits to the shelter. Shelter program participants can sign up in advance for an appointment or access drop-in between set appointments, should the need arise. Participants often access valuable community information and programs like Family Doctor Finder while interacting with Clinic staff, an important step supporting primary health care and assuring ongoing access to healthcare practitioners.
Family Doctor Finder: CLICK HERE FOR INFO
MEN’S SUPPORTS – Inclusive violence prevention services
Although the majority of those we support in our programs are women and children, a variety of supports are available for men and male-identifying individuals as well. Supports include 24-hour crisis support (phone, text, and chat), access to protective shelter (separate from our main shelter), and outreach counseling.
Any person, any culture, any gender – all are welcome to reach out to Willow Place 24-hours, whether it is a question, or if they are seeking crisis support and short-term protective shelter.
Further support, the internationally-recognized Caring Dads Program, is ongoing due to a community partnership with Winnipeg Child and Family Services and the General Authority. Caring Dads is currently open to male perpetrators of family violence with an open case file with Winnipeg CFS. The 17-week intervention program provides safety, support, non-judgement and allows men an opportunity to learn healthier behaviours.
Program Info: call Shannon at 204-599-3463
MOTHER’S DAY – Honouring Mothers and Mother-Figures
May is fast approaching, along with the Mother’s Day observance, Sunday, May 11. Traditionally, Mother’s Day has been a time set aside to recognize and honour Mothers and Grandmothers. Today, thoughts of appreciation are often extended to include a spectrum of motherhood and the many unique roles and life stages: expectant mothers, new moms, adoptive parents and diverse mother-figures such as older sisters, aunts, friends and others who may have fulfilled cherished maternal roles.
For all the Moms, Grandmas, Moms-to-be and Mother Figures, we hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day – thank you for all that you do for others.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK – thank you to our wonderful Willow Place volunteers!
DONATION NEEDS – Wish List and priority donations
Willow Place keeps an updated list of donation needs on our website wish list and from time-to-time we will promote urgent needs by email or social media. There are many ways to give! Some items we tend to need year-round include: gently-used towels and blankets, new underwear and socks for women and children; non-perishable food, and basic toiletries: deodorant, shampoo, soap, body lotion, and toothpaste.
If you have items to donate that do not appear on our wish list, feel welcome to reach out to the community team for support. We may be able to receive your items, or we can recommend a variety of community partners who accept various donations.
WISH LIST: CLICK HERE!
Community Team contacts (weekdays – day-time hours):
Kimi 204-615-0313, ext. 245
Pam 204-615-0313, ext. 237
STAFF FEATURE – MEET RENEE R.
Administrative Professional’s Day is April 23, and we would be remiss to not acknowledge a very special staff member on our hard-working team – thank you RENEE R. for all the support you provide! Renee has supported our Executive Director and HR, as well as the community team in many valuable ways since starting work at Willow Place. In recent years, as we have worked hard to update systems amid constantly changing technology, Renee’s patience, kindness and diligence have provided an essential and steady presence. We appreciate you, Renee!
1) Please tell us about your typical workday, or weekly duties at Willow Place.
My workdays in Administration are actually quite varied and often fast-paced. It includes regular reporting on different function areas of the organization; accounting and human resources tasks, as well as technical support and collaborative project management.
2) What are your favourite parts of your job? What motivates you in your work?
The variety of tasks and responsibilities that the position provides. I also feel very fortunate to work with a supportive group of individuals every day and to work for an organization that aligns with my values.
3) What aspects of your work do you find the most challenging and interesting?
Competing priorities can sometimes be a challenge but there is never a dull moment and I enjoy being busy!
4) Do you have role models that have inspired you?
My first role models would have to be my parents, who always had strong work ethic and enjoyed the simple things in life. I am also inspired every day by the dear friends I have in my life who possess strength, authenticity and fierce loyalty.
5) Do you have tips for those who aspire to work in administrative roles?
Aside from obtaining related training and education, strong organizational skills, time management and communication skills are key attributes to be successful in an administrative role. Teamwork and flexibility are also very important.
6) Can you share a quote or poem/song that you enjoy?
I have an album on my phone where I save passages that resonate with me. Here’s one of them:
OTHER WAYS TO HELP – Donate-A-Car & Kinsmen Raffle
Thank you to Donate-A-Car Canada, and Winnipeg Kinsmen! Thanks to these two organizations, there are more ways to help Willow Place help others. Donate-A-Car accepts donations of used cars and proceeds of sales go to charities. Cars do not have to be in running order, and there are no costs to the donor or to Willow Place. If you have a car to donate, please click on the link below – thank you!
DONATE-A-CAR: CLICK HERE FOR INFO!
We are so grateful to be one of the charities supported by the Kin-Kar and 50-50 Raffle 2025 (Winnipeg Kinsmen). When you purchase Kin-Kar or 50-50 tickets, a portion of the money collected goes to Willow Place. Please support us if your are able, and help us spread the word – thank you!
KIN KAR RAFFLE: CLICK HERE FOR INFO!
EMPLOYMENT AT WILLOW PLACE – Updates and opportunities
Are you looking for meaningful employment? Willow Place has some open part-time positions. A part-time role can be a great way to develop new skills and try out a new career option! Please feel welcome to share with those who may be interested – thank you.
INTAKE WORKER (part-time): CLICK HERE FOR INFO!
FAMILY VIOLENCE COUNSELOR (part-time): CLICK HERE FOR INFO!
For questions, contact Willow Place HR Coordinator, Eniola: 204-615-0313, ext. 229
(Weekdays, daytime hours).
2025
International Women’s Day 2025
International Women’s Day (IWD) occurs March 8 and is a global observance to draw attention to the achievements of women and also to raise awareness of human rights violations against women. This year’s theme is Accelerate Action. Check out the event link to view over 300 events from around the world, many of which are virtual.
Women’s rights are human rights, and it is important for each of us to work together to address misogyny, inequity and violence against women.
2025
Winter 2025 E-Newsletter
Valentine’s Day
Focus on self-love and self-care
Valentine’s Day is traditionally a day for expressing affection and admiration between close connections, often with a romantic theme. For those who have survived violence and abuse, Valentine’s Day can be especially stressful. Survivors may experience complex, conflicting emotions, including love and hate, comfort and unease, attraction and fear. Unhealthy relationships may not be violent and abusive every day, and survivors cling to the happier memories, hoping that abusers will change, and that the latest episode of maltreatment will be the last. Unfortunately, it is common for incidents of abuse to become more frequent and increasingly severe over time. Survivors will often experience multiple cycles of violence, reconciliation, hope, regret and self-loathing.
Focusing on self-love and self-care are great ways to move forward from unhealthy relationships, and Valentine’s Day can be a time to highlight and practice this positive shift. Rather than being influenced by social pressures and expectations of idealized romantic love, exploring concepts of self-acceptance, nurturing, and supportive relationships can help survivors move away from old patterns, toward improved physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.
In preparation for Valentine’s Day, we polled our Willow Place team to find out what self-care looks like for them – here are some of their tips!
“Spending time with family and friends…time at the lake…Exercising and walking helps me maintain my physical and mental health.” Lisa L.
“It is a habit of love, love for myself…I eat healthy and always have two books on the go… Self-care is about making time for what you love. I love my children and my grandchildren, and I spend lots of time with them. Long-time friends are important as well.” Diane P.
“I make soup and muffins to freeze and share with family.” Pam H.
“I seek out nature and feel most grounded near…water, trees and sunsets! Doing so…reminds me to appreciate life.” Renee R.
“I smudge at least once a day…It makes me stop, breathe, reflect and re-set with good intentions and an open mind. I also love to bead. When beading I…think good things and send out that energy into the piece I am making.” Lisa K.
“I have plants…My plants have…become my support system. They’ve heard everything, and they’re still…growing.” Vishakha
“I…prioritize…my physical and mental health. I engage in activities that I love, but I also…do things that I may not enjoy as much, yet I know are good for me…I believe…sometimes what feels challenging can also be beneficial, and my goal…is to keep pushing myself to improve.” Kimi B.
“I like to go for massage, watch comedy, talk with important people in my life, and cook, sometimes, depending on how I feel.” Louisa S.
“I…stay away from my phone…relax on my bed…while at other times I…choose to relax with movies. I practice…gratitude and affirmation. Spend time with my family…take time to listen to soft music…I do a long walk and connect with nature.” ‘Lola I.
Board of Directors Update
Thank you to our volunteer board members
In Fall 2024, we bid farewell to board member and Secretary, Pamela McLeod, after ten years of service. We also welcomed new board member, Serena Bevilacqua as a member-at-large. Existing board member, Scott Robillard assumed the Secretary role for our board. Special thanks to Pamela for her many years of diligent support and valuable insight. and thank you, Scott and Serena for your commitment – we appreciate you!
View our board member profiles: CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION!
Volunteer Recruitment
Open positions in the shelter program
We are excited to be engaged in a volunteer recruitment this winter for a variety of roles that support our shelter program. Currently, we are accepting applications for shelter support, donation support, cultural program support and translation support (Arabic and French languages). All Willow Place volunteers must apply and go through a selection process like applying for employment. Regardless of their role, all prospective volunteers must supply current background checks and complete our online and in-person training.
To view our current volunteer opportunities:
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION!
International Women’s Day
Women’s rights are human rights
International Women’s Day (March 8) is an annual worldwide observance to draw attention to the contributions of women, and to women’s issues. Sadly, we are experiencing a time where, despite past progress, women around the world are denied basic human rights, such as a right to safety. Women are experiencing increasing rates of physical, sexual, economic, emotional, reproductive and social violence.
Women make up half of the world’s population and are equally capable in all areas of life. In developing nations, it is estimated that women produce 80% of the food and help to sustain the environment for future generations. Despite this, women are among those most-impacted by food insecurity. Former communist leader Mao Zedong once declared, “Women hold up half the sky,” to highlight the essential contributions of women, but all too often women’s rights are not upheld, and they face extreme hardship and marginalization, including violence and harassment in the work force, and a disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work.
Patriarchal systems of oppression assert and preserve male dominance in all areas of human life, and democratic governments that are more supportive of equal rights for women are under systemic attack globally. Less than 30% of world nations have democratic governments. For those wishing to diminish and control women, democratic nations pose a threat to agendas of dominance.
Technology, which has enabled real-time communications and has removed barriers for many who were previously isolated, is also being manipulated to spread hate speech and misinformation. Too many people struggle to distinguish fact from fiction while extreme political and paramilitary groups infiltrate, normalize and circulate hate-speech, dismantle cultural tolerance, and encourage criminal behaviours.
Historically, wars and political agendas have been waged over women’s bodies, and these crimes against humanity are being experienced today with disturbing frequency: abduction, torture and rape of women and girls (e.g., Sudan, Ukraine, by Russia; In Israel by Hamas; in Republic of Congo, called the “Rape Capital of the World”). Extreme examples of gender-based violence are escalating in Afghanistan where the Muslim-extremist Taliban have restricted women to their homes, banned windows and education, and have forbidden women to communicate with women outside of their home. In the United States, long-established female reproductive rights have been dismantled in many states (Roe vs. Wade), leaving victims of rape and incest scrambling to find doctors who will help them with therapeutic abortions.
Female genital mutilation, forced marriages and child marriages continue in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab States as well as Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America, estimated to have impacted over 230 million women and girls. Despite education and intervention efforts, it is anticipated that 68 million more girls will be victimized between 2015-2030. Several countries have no minimum age for marriage, including Gambia, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan and Yemen. In Canada, the legal age for marriage is age 16, which is not old enough to vote or drive a car.
Human rights, especially women’s rights, are fragile and under attack. It is especially important to not be complacent, to not minimize threats to rights and freedoms; to speak up for women and girls, to seek improved conditions and protections, and to hold elected officials accountable – our shared future depends upon it.
Staff Feature – Meet Lisa K., Housing Support Specialist
Please share a few things about your background, and things you enjoy.
As a proud Métis woman, I have a passion for supporting and empowering women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+individuals, while on their journey of healing. For over 19 years I have been working in the Gender-Based Violence sector in various roles, within numerous organizations. I have stayed dedicated to this line of work because I value the importance of humanity, and everyone has the right to live a life free from violence. Even though my impact may be small I believe that the ripple effect will be everlasting and that matters.
Please tell me about your role at Willow Place – what are your main responsibilities and tasks?
I feel honored to have the opportunity to work in partnership with participants while they seek, explore and hopefully obtain housing. Some of the responsibilities and tasks I have are:
– Finding viewings for participants to attend alone or I can accompany them
– I can offer transportation for a variety of reasons if it assists with securing housing,
– I frequently provide advocacy and encouragement when the process is overwhelming
– I help complete paperwork, applications and letters of support
– Making referrals to partnering agencies and organizations
Moving out of shelter can be exciting and new for participants but it may also be a lonely and scary time. As part of Outreach services, I offer home visits to help participants transition and adjust to their new home, navigating conversations with landlords/property managers and referrals and advocacy to other supports in the community.
What are three things you enjoy about this role? What are some difficult aspects of your role?
I enjoy having the opportunity to work directly with participants, going out of the shelter and working in the community, and working with my incredible co-workers and fantastic leadership team. One of the difficult aspects of my role is when a participant works hard to secure housing and is not successful within their shelter stay.
Can you tell me about trends or common needs that you are seeing among the vulnerable populations served daily in the shelter program?
Over time I have seen affordable and safe housing options become less and less available to individuals who are experiencing GBV. Subsidized housing waitlists have grown, and the housing markets have spiked. This trend has left survivors of GBV even more at risk and vulnerable.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future in terms of the valuable role you play in violence prevention?
Is there a person or experience that has shaped your interest in violence prevention, or has motivated you to help others?
One of the people who has inspired, encouraged and taught me to find and use my voice while working in the GBV field was Anna Pazdzierski (former ED of Nova House, Manitoba). Not only was she a role model and leader but an inspiration. She gave me opportunities to speak up and question societal expectations/norms for women. Without Anna giving me my first job in a violence prevention shelter and the experience I had there, I don’t know if I would have chosen this as my life career.
Third Party Fundraising
Were you aware that the majority of Willow Place fundraising is third-party fundraising? Each year we are very fortunate to be approached by a variety of groups who hold fundraising events on our behalf.
Those who support us are diverse and include faith-based groups, schools, universities and colleges, the health sector, policing, business community members, and service clubs. We also have had individuals and friend groups organize fundraising efforts.
These fundraisers provide much-needed funds to fill funding gaps in areas such as food security, cultural programming, children’s programming and more! They also help to raise awareness of violence prevention services and the prevalence of gender-based violence in the Manitoba region, and help to supply our shelter program with a wide range of in-kind items listed on our WISH LIST.
If you are interested in third-party fundraising, feel welcome to contact our community team to request information: Pam 204-615-0313, ext. 237; Kimi 204-615-0313, ext. 245
2024
Holiday Greetings from Willow Place
Message from Marcie Wood
Holiday Greetings from Willow Place
This holiday season, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you all and express my profound appreciation for your steadfast commitment. May the season’s magic fill your hearts with joy and bring you moments of pure happiness. Take this time to relax, recharge, and create beautiful memories with your loved ones.
As we bid farewell to this year, let us celebrate the bonds that connect us and look forward to the new year’s endless possibilities. Your commitment, collaboration, and partnership have made a difference, and we are thankful to have you in our circle of support.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and peace.
My best, Marcie
Crisis Support
Confidential info and help – 24-hours in Manitoba
The holidays can be especially stressful for those dealing with violence. Willow Place crisis support services never close – those seeking family violence prevention information or support can call, text or use our live chat application (Izzy) 24-hours, every day of the year.
Any person, any gender, any culture, with questions or seeking help can connect with our crisis team:
PHONE: 204-615-0311
MB HOTLINE: 1-877-977-0007
(toll-free in Manitoba, directs caller to closest supports in their region)
TEXT: 204-813-8887
LIVE CHAT: visit www.willowplaceshelter.ca and click on the Izzy icon to start live chat
Holiday Stars
Easy origami craft for all ages
We love these easy origami stars! All you need are square pieces of paper, a little time and a bit of patience. This is a great craft to use up or up-cycle bits and pieces of paper. Completed stars can be made into garlands or holiday tree ornaments, or used to embellish wrapped gifts or homemade greeting cards.
Here are the instructions: CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION!
Thank you, Donors!
Your generosity makes a positive difference
Whether it is a gift in-kind or a monetary donation, we are very grateful for your support. Willow Place continues to experience increasing numbers seeking shelter with us and more complex needs among those we support. Every donation, large or small, is precious to us, and helps fill gaps in funding and resources.
Those with questions or wishing to set up a donation are welcome to contact us!
Phone: 204-615-0313, ext. 245 (Kimi) weekdays, daytime hours
DONATE TODAY: CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
