2026
Featured Summer 2026 E-Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:
New Facility Update
Summer Program Support
Connecting with Nature
Volunteer Feature
Donation Needs
Executive Support Staff
Employment News
NEW FACILITY UPDATE
Breaking ground for a brighter future!
Thanks to this wonderful community, the new Willow Place will soon be a reality! Last year, we shared our plans to build a new facility, ensuring more women, gender-diverse people and children are safe and have the opportunity to build hopeful, violence-free lives. We reached out to the community and with the support of caring people like you and civic, provincial and federal government, $18.3 million of the $19 million dollarproject is now committed – thank you! As we approached one million dollars of the project goal, we were able to start construction this spring!
While the construction site does not look like much yet (especially with recent rains), we know that within about 18 months, women and children will have improved space, programs and resources to assure safety, recovery and healing. The new Willow Place has been purposely designed to help families break the cycles of violence and will include:
– 50 emergency beds so more people can access safety
– 6 transitional units for individuals and families needing more time to find safe, affordable housing
– A larger kitchen and dining area so everyone staying with us can eat together
– A bright, child-centered classroom and a child-minding room
– Dedicated spaces for healing care, private meetings, programming
– Comfy lounge spaces for quiet time and getting to know one another
– A fully-appointed medical examination room
– A secure outdoor rooftop space
If you would like to learn more about the new Willow Place facility project or if you wish to make a donation, please get in touch with Willow Place’s Executive Director, Marcie Wood:
Phone: 204-615-0313, ext. 230
Email: marciew@willowplace.ca
You can also give using the link below. Thank you so much for caring about your neighbours!
CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
SUMMER PROGRAM SUPPORT
Thankful for grants & donations
Willow Place is grateful for and would like to acknowledge grant funding from Canada Summer Jobs (Government of Canada) and The Winnipeg Foundation (Children and Youth Grant), which has allowed us to hire two summer day camp leads as well as a full-time HR Admin Assistant (summer term). The full-time summer day camp staff provide structured, play-based weekday programming for school age children in our busy shelter program. Without grant support, this support would not be possible.
We are also thankful for community donations of gift cards and supplies to help Willow Place provide daily essentials for the summer day camp program including craft activity needs, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray, as well as plants and seeds for our Sunrise Healing Garden –THANK YOU to all who have donated.
Finally, special thanks to community organizations who have generously provided free passes for children in the summer day camp program. Willow Place has received support from The Manitoba Museum, Assiniboine Park (The Leaf, Assiniboine Park Zoo), Winnipeg Goldeyes, The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, MANSO, and the Manitoba Children’s Museum. AMAZING! These valuable contributions will allow summer staff to coordinate weekly outings, which are often first-time experiences and a memorable highlight for children sheltering with us.
ENJOYING TIME OUTDOORS
Fun, no-cost ways to stay active
With technology playing such a central role in daily life, “disconnect” strategies are important. Healthy life balance includes setting boundaries around email. text and other digital communications and media. Being at ease with simply being and doing nothing may be difficult – it may be highly habitual to check messages, scroll social media or play online games. There are many simple, no-cost ways to support daily activity outdoors!
TIME IN NATURE
A short walk and some fresh air is a great way to reduce screen time and harness mental and physical health benefits. All that is needed is comfortable footwear! Walking can be combined with other sensory activities like mindfulness, breathing and sensory awareness to further rejuvenate both body and mind. With a bit of preparation, variety can be added to daily walks, either as solitary walkers, or with friends or family. For instance, why not vary the route, play a simple mental game (how many blue things can I count), bring some chalk and include a game of hopscotch or an art/doodle break during the walk, or include a book and lunch/snack for a nutrition and/or rest stop enroute.
CLEANUP WALKS
Many community groups schedule cleanup events in the early spring, often coinciding with Earth Day (April 22). Typically, cleanup walks leverage group efforts to pick up litter in a designated neighbourhood or location. Often, a social time like coffee or a BBQ is included. For a growing number of nature lovers who are concerned about our shared environment, cleanup walks are not restricted to Earth Day, but may be a weekly or even daily activity. You may have encountered or heard of “ploggers” – folks who combine neighbourhood cleanup with their regular jog or run.
Cleanup walk gear typically includes comfortable shoes, some gardening or rubber gloves, and a bag to collect any litter. After the walk or jog, litter is sorted for recycling and refuse. Where possible and practical, items may be dropped off at sorting bins along or near the planned route. HEALTH BONUS: In the process of reducing human litter, ploggers are also adding additional physical challenges to their regular walk or run (bending, reaching, carrying, balancing), and are possibly achieving some additional steps as well!
SCAVENGER HUNT
Another, no-cost way to add interest and enhance the benefits of walking is a nature-based scavenger hunt. Walkers use a prepared list and try to locate all items. Rather than physically collecting list items, and in the spirit of reducing use of technology (i.e., phone cameras), scavengers make a mental note of what they see and experience. If desired, a small notebook and pencil can be taken along to draw and record details about size, texture, colour, scent, etc. For those who choose to draw or take notes, this step can also be done afterword, and is a great way to challenge memory, and to reflect on what was noticed and felt while walking, Regardless of your approach, it is always important to be respectful of private property, park rules, local laws: e.g., do not pick flowers, deface property, or damage plants or trees – the goals are observation and connecting to the senses (sight, smell, touch, sound) while respecting for our shared environment.
We have prepared a sample Scavenger Hunt handout that can be used as-is or as a guideline to make your own scavenger hunt. Our Nature Scavenger Hunt combines sensory activities with a cleanup walk 🙂
CLICK HERE FOR DOCUMENT (downloadable file to print)
VOLUNTEER FEATURE
Meet Bruna C
How long have you volunteered for Willow Place?
“I have been volunteering with Willow place for a little over a year.”
Why did you choose to volunteer for Willow Place?
“I chose to volunteer for Willow Place as I believe all individuals should be treated with respect and feel safe in their surroundings. Support to those who do not is valuable.”
Do you have any volunteering highlights to share?
“Attending a resource fair at the Women’s Correctional Facility was eye-opening for me. Seeing all of the resources offered to these women was amazing. Meeting the women themselves was a pleasure.”
Do you have any tips for those interested in volunteering?
“Find a volunteer opportunity which matches your interests and comfort level.”
What other things do you enjoy in your free time?
“Outside of my volunteering, I enjoy playing pickleball, yoga, hiking and travel.”
What do you look forward to in the summer season?
“I love to go to the cabin in the summer, spending quality time with family.”
Do you have a favourite quote or saying?
‘”If your self compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” – Buddha’
Thank you, Bruna – we appreciate your willingness to help out, including in the shelter program, with donations, and for community events. We are honoured to count you among our volunteers, and excited to feature you in this edition!
DONATION NEEDS
Helping Willow Place help others
Are you looking for ways to help Willow Place? There are many ways to give. including monetary gifts, in-kind gifts, or by organizing a group collection. Here are some current needs in the shelter program:
REPLACEMENT – SHELTER PROGRAM
We typically have replacement needs due to the high numbers of people we support – this may include furniture and equipment. The following donations are needed right now:
$1,000 to repair commercial dishwasher
$1,000 to replace two bed frames
IN-KIND DONATIONS
Non-perishable food for shelter (breakfast cereal, coffee, tea, canned food)
Gently-used or new towels and blankets
Single size fitted sheets – new or gently-used
Infant diapers size 5 and 6
New underwear for women and children (all sizes)
Gift cards for groceries, medical needs, outings: grocery stores, Walmart, Dollarama, Shoppers, Tim Hortons
MONETARY DONATIONS
Cheque or bank draft payable to “Willow Place” – mail to P.O. Box 1786, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2Z9
Donate online using Canada Helps – either one-time donation, or subscribe to donate monthly
DONATE ON CANADA HELPS – CLICK HERE!
Donation questions? Contact our Community Team staff, Pam or Kimi, weekdays, daytime hours:
Pam: 204-615-0313, ext. 237
Kimi: 204-615-0313, ext. 245
EXECUTIVE SUPPORT STAFF
Thank you, Renee R – Welcome Luella S!
This May Willow Place staff members enjoyed a coffee and cake celebration to mark Executive Support Assistant, Renee’s, retirement. Renee R was like the hub of the wheel, always supporting diverse team needs capably with a kind and easy-going manner. Renee will be greatly-missed by our whole team, but we are excited for her to begin this next journey, allowing her to spend more time enjoying life, including family and friends, travel and hobbies.
Prior to completing her time with Willow Place, Renee supported her replacement, Luella S, by mentoring her in the Executive Support Assistant role. As we bid fond farewell to Renee, we are also very pleased to welcome Luella to the Willow Place team. The Executive Support Assistant role is a vital one, requiring a broad skill set. This role provides admin support to the Executive Director and Human Resources, as well as performing bookkeeping assistance, managing in-coming and out-going email, mail and calls, helping staff with a wide variety of other needs including equipment, supplies and technology, and much more!
EMPLOYMENT NEWS
Career opportunities at Willow Place
Our shelter services team is growing and we are hiring part-time and casual Support Workers as well as a full-time Family Violence Counselor, and full-time term Children’s Counselor. Willow Place offers a supportive team environment with opportunities for growth and development.
For details on all open positions and to apply, visit our website careers page and click on the job links: www.willowplaceshelter.ca/careers/ or visit Indeed.com and search under “Willow Place, Winnipeg.”
Questions? Please direct careers inquires by email to careers@willowplace.ca
Willow Place is an Employer of Choice in the violence prevention sector with demonstrated commitment to staff wellness and professional development. We support survivors of violence and abuse using a person-centered and trauma-informed approach to support recovery and healing.
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.