2026
Featured 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!
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
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.
2024
Autumn 2024 E-Newsletter
CAEH Conference 2024
Ottawa hosts national gathering
October 28-31 marked the latest Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness annual conference, which was hosted in Ottawa. Two members of Willow Place’s leadership team, Clinical Supervisor, Daniette Ogamba, and Community Supervisor, Pam Hadder, were grateful to attend the conference this year and shared the following highlights.
Pam Hadder: “I really loved the CAEH conference app and the ability I had to preview the program choices and plan my selections before our arrival. It was hard to choose from over 100 fantastic presentations, but I was focused on themes of sustainability for frontline supports, as well as creative ways to collaborate, along with leveraging community and regional efforts. Themes that stood out for me at this year’s conference were Indigenous-led solutions and supports; improving shared data collection and imagining a future where everyone has a safe home. There were a lot of great moments at the conference, but three of my favourite moments included hearing survivor stories, learning about drastic reductions of homelessness in Finland (reduced by over 80%), and meeting Olympic gold-medalist, Winnipeg-born Jennifer Botterill!”
Daniette Ogamba:“I was thrilled to participate in the CAEH, eager to explore how different organizations deliver their services and discover the latest best practices. With a plethora of sessions available, selecting just three each day proved challenging, but I concentrated on Indigenous-led support initiatives, advocacy for women and gender-diverse housing justice; and strategies for assisting those facing homelessness.
The conference had several highlights for me, particularly the impressive Calgary shelter, which spans over 96,000 square feet and features more than 1,235 rooms, as well as the focus on Indigenous-led harm reduction and trauma-informed care. Ultimately, three key themes emerged: the importance of Indigenous care and support, the impact of systemic racism and historical injustices in housing, and the need for improved connections and services for individuals experiencing homelessness.”
Power of PJs
November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Each November, Willow Place joins other Manitoba violence prevention agencies to collect new pajamas for women and children in our shelter program. Through the Power of PJs campaign we work to raise awareness while providing comfort to those we serve by providing each shelter program participant with a pair of new pajamas. Currently, Willow Place is experiencing higher numbers seeking shelter amid rising operational costs. Our shelter program participants have increased by more than 40% in the past two years alone, and we are also seeing more children (30% increase in the past year). Most children in shelter last year were aged infant to six years.
If you want to donate a pair of pajamas, please call 204-615-0313, ext. 245 to arrange your donation – THANK YOU! Monetary gifts are also welcome, to donate: CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Hockey Helps the Homeless
Fundraising event returns December 6, 2024
Willow Place is excited to once again be a beneficiary of Hockey Helps the Homeless along with Red Road Lodge and Resource Assistance for Youth (RAY). Each year, community organizations and companies enter teams into a fun tournament that allows players to fulfill a dream of skating alongside their hockey heroes. This year’s event will be held December 6 and all games are FREE to attend – it is a great opportunity to glimpse some hockey greats between games and collect autographs! There will be an amazing rainbow raffle as well, thanks to many community donors who are supplying prizes.
There are still sponsorship and volunteer opportunities on game day – CHECK IT OUT!!!
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION!
St. Charles Country Club
Roots for Growth Fundraiser
Willow Place has been very fortunate to be beneficiaries of the St. Charles Country Club’s fundraising efforts over the past few years. On October 1, St. Charles hosted a gala dinner which featured survivor stories, information on Willow Place services, and a video tour of Willow Place’s shelter program. Special thanks to the fundraising committee at St. Charles, and to event lead, Wanda Zajac (former Willow Place volunteer), for her leadership and passion. Thanks also to Nicole Dube-Chipman for expert hosting of the event. Our heartfelt appreciation to the amazing Nicole Hacault of Royal LePage Top Producers who donated her time, expertise and a videographer to create the virtual tour of our shelter program. Further thanks to Willow Place board member, Sarah Brown for her presentation on future needs for Willow Place, and to Willow Place Executive Director, Marcie Wood, and Community Supervisor, Pam Hadder, for their participation. Proceeds totaled $100,000.00 – truly amazing support!
Rock for Shelter
Thank you, Royal LePage Top Producers
Willow Place was treated to an exceptional evening of Winnipeg music at the Park Theatre October 17, aptly named Rock for Shelter. Three incredible bands performed: Whitemud Rhythm and Blues, Green River and Sweet Alibi. Royal LePage organizers also held a 50/50 draw and fantastic prize raffles to help raise funds for Willow Place at the event. Special appreciation to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation for providing complimentary admissions for Willow Place staff to attend. We continue to be inspired by the community-focus and generous spirit of Royal LePage brokerages and realtors in Manitoba and nation-wide and we feel very fortunate to count them among our valued supporters!
Donate-A-Car
A new way to support Willow Place
Do you have an old vehicle that is taking up garage or yard space? We hope you will consider donating to Willow Place through Donate-A-Car – vehicles do not have to be in working order, and free towing is provided where needed. Please help us spread the word, THANK YOU! For more details, click here: DONATE-A-CAR INFO
Staffing Updates
New roles and milestones
Willow Place continues to evolve to better serve the region. Among recent staff changes, we welcome former shelter program counselor, ‘Lola, to the role of Outreach Counselor. ‘Lola works from our community outreach office in St. James, and also visits three partner sites weekly: Wahbung Abinoonjiiag, Salvation Army SonRise Village, and Access Main Street. Those seeking outreach counseling info can reach ‘Lola at 204-230-9399.
Former Community Facilitator, counselor Shannon Cameron, has accepted a multi-year secondment with the General Authority where she will be fulfilling a Domestic Violence Response Coordinator role. Collaborative efforts such as this are an important support to Willow Place’s strategic goals. Shannon has been central in piloting and expanding the internationally-recognized Caring Dads Program, and is also completing her Safe and Together trainer credentials. Those wishing to inquire about Caring Dads can reach Shannon at 204-599-3463.
Our busy community team welcomes dynamic new Community Coordinator, Kimi Bawa! Kimi has diverse experience working collaboratively with teams, and marketing-communications expertise. Kimi ably supports the Community Supervisor, Pam Hadder, in vital areas including donations, public education, shelter programming, and social media planning. Kimi can be reached at: 204-615-0313, ext. 245
CONGRATULATIONS!
Willow Place Staff Recognition
Special thanks and congratulations to Erin M, Clinical Supervisor and Joan N., Shelter Support Worker for their dedication and contributions to the Willow Place team – we appreciate you!
