2025
Women Helping Women Fundraiser
2025
Willow Place Summer 2025 E-Newsletter
Summer Day Camp
Program for children in shelter resumes
We are so excited to welcome summer day camp staff members, Sophia and Kaitlin to the Willow Place shelter program team. Willow Place is thrilled to offer the summer day camp program for children and families in shelter again this year, thanks to granted funds from Canada Summer Jobs and a Children and Youth Grant from the Winnipeg Foundation (Community Fund, Nourishing Potential Fund). These grant dollars support summer day camp wages, program supplies and equipment; and nutritious snacks for children. We are so grateful to have received these valuable supports, and could not support this valuable children’s program without these contributions!
We also wish to acknowledge in-kind donations from The Assiniboine Park (The Zoo and The Leaf), Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg Goldeyes Community Zone, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, Manitoba Children’s Museum, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Donated admission passes allow Willow Place to provide stimulating and memorable outings for children and families in our shelter program; most-often a first-time experience and a summer highlight for the participants.
Staff Feature
Meet Facility & Support Supervisor, Kathy S.
Kathy S. is a valued member of the Willow Place leadership team, with over 25 years of experience in the violence prevention sector. In her role as Facility & Support Supervisor, Kathy very capably supports the violence prevention shelter program, including scheduling and training of support and other staff, and ensuring compliance with fire safety and other safety-related policies and procedures. Kathy also liaises with provincial staff and volunteers relating to maintenance of our facilities, orders supplies for the shelter program. Overall, Kathy contributes daily to a healthy, supportive environment for all participants, volunteers and staff members. Thank you, Kathy, for all you do!
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I enjoy learning about historic events, nature and country music.
What are your main responsibilities and tasks at Willow Place?
As Facility & Support Supervisor, I am a leadership team member and I assume overall accountability for daily operations of the shelter, including facility management, as well as Support Worker and Support Worker practicum placements at Willow Place.
What are three things you enjoy about this role? What are some difficult aspects of your role?
It is never the same day twice, and I enjoying contributing to the overall organizational success and working together as a team. Challenges include seeing intergenerational violence play out: e.g., children and grandchildren of former shelter participants also coming into shelter years later. Also hearing and seeing impacts of violence and abuse in day-to-day work (vicarious trauma) can be very difficult. Limited resources always present challenges – we all need to do more with less.
Can you tell us about trends or common needs in the shelter program?
There is a lack of safe and affordable social housing, and this hinders vulnerable populations in obtaining long-term safe accommodations that could promote a successful healing journey.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of violence prevention?
I am hopeful for expanded services and programs to meet growing community needs.
Is there a person or experience that has shaped your interest in violence prevention, or has motivated you to help others?
I can’t really think of a specific person, but I have benefited from specialized courses and training, and have been given opportunities to learn and grow as an employee and in my supervisor role.
Donation Highlights
UNESCO Take Action and Healing Garden Projects
This spring, Willow Place was delighted to be contacted by Vincent Massey high school student, Sarah Schroeder about her UNESCO Take Action Project. Sarah collected in-kind and monetary donations to supply our shelter program with over ten boxes and bags of priority wish list items in June! Thank you for thinking of Willow Place, Sarah – your support has made a positive difference for our busy shelter program, including help to raise awareness of Willow Place’s violence prevention services.
Special thanks to donor, Blaine Wall, for creating five new raised planters for our Healing Garden project this spring. Blaine also delivered soil for the planters, and our handyperson volunteer, Doug Peters helped our community team staff fill the beds. The Healing Garden growing areas provide important spaces for women and children to connect with nature. For many of our participants, it is their first experience growing things from seed, tasting garden produce, or tending to a garden. Seeds, plants and supplies/equipment for the garden were made possible due to in-kind and monetary donations totaling $140.00 – amazing! We are grateful to our shelter program, on-site teacher, Mrs. S, staff, volunteers, and summer day camp staff for their role in planting and maintaining the growing areas. Thanks also to counselor, Dee for the donation of prairie sage, which is thriving. It takes a team!
Want to donate? Do you have donation questions? Please reach out to our community team!
Weekdays – day-time hours:
Kimi 204-615-0313, ext. 245
Pam 204-615-0313, ext. 237
Purse Bingo
Outstanding fundraising for Willow Place
In May, Willow Place leadership team staff were treated to a fun evening out to play Purse Bingo in support of The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. 80% of proceeds raised will be granted to Willow Place, and remaining funds support the Foundation’s ongoing work Canada-wide. The Purse Bingo concept was unique and dynamic – instead of calling letters and numbers, music clips were played. If a song played was on your bingo card, you got to dab the corresponding square. Ten fun games were played, and the prizes were a dazzling selection of designer purses, many of which were sponsored by local businesses and other realtors. Our team was happy to join in with hundreds of women as enjoyed Manitoba-made snacks and sang along to favourite music from all genres.
Heartfelt appreciation to Nicole Hacault, Royal LePage Top Producers real estate agent and her wonderful team. Nicole consistently shines bright as an avid supporter of our violence prevention work in Manitoba! Nicole is once again participating in the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s Trek for Shelter and will be traveling to Cambodia this October (Cambodia Challenge 2025). Please consider helping Nicole help those in need – link follows, below.
Donate and follow Nicole’s progress here: CLICK HERE FOR INFO!
Summer Memories Prize Draw
By Pam Hadder, Community Supervisor
Do you have favourite childhood summer memories? I recall endless sunny days, taking my little brothers to the local paddling pool with a picnic lunch. Once our fingers and toes got too “pruney,” we would move on to the swings and blow-dry while dreaming under a canopy of trees. Mom would also set up a tent in the backyard. Shaded and bug-free, hours were spent reading comic books with siblings or friends, sometimes enjoying Kool-Aid or homemade popsicles.
Often it is the simple, small things that I recall with joy, like building forts, climbing trees, and the time I found a fossil by the lake with my Dad. To this day, I can replay these memories like movie clips, and I never tire of dreaming under a summer sky.
SUBSCRIBER DRAW!!!
Please email us your favourite summer memories: pamh@willowplace.ca (two or three sentences). We will be drawing from all entries in August for three Willow Place prize packs, and will share the memories and winners’ names in a special Summer Memories email blast this August.
2025
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.