2019 Recipients of MREA Shelter Foundation Funding
Association for Community Living- Interlake Inc.
The Association for Community Living Interlake Branch recognizes the value of every person and believes that people living with an intellectual disability are individuals; each of whom has rights as community members. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals, living with an intellectual disability, to live a fully inclusive life as members of the community.
In 2015, they relocated to Main Street, Stonewall and operate space for adult day programs, a gift store and a lunch/coffee shop. These not for profit businesses, run through the “Something Beautiful” storefront, give them the opportunity to develop new options for skills training. Their job coaches work with a number of clients every day on skills ranging from baking to counting money or customer service. Some of their individuals work full shifts in the store or café while others may just work on one simple skill like cleaning a table.
They also operate six residential community-based homes that provide 24-hour supports for individuals living with intellectual disabilities. The MREA Shelter Foundation grant will assist with purchase and installation of a new roof for one of these homes.
Bravestone Centre offers women and their children the opportunity to heal and grow in a cooperative, caring environment with other families who have shared a similar experience. Bravestone Centre believes that families must be free from danger to break the cycle of violence.
Bravestone Centre is a non-profit charitable organization that provides women and their children affected by domestic violence with secure and safe on-site housing, individual and group therapeutic counselling, support programs, advocacy, and connection with community resources. address the needs of women who have already taken steps toward resolving the initial crisis involved in their decision to separate from their abusive partner.
Bravestone Centre is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. For over 28 years, under the previous name of WISH Inc. (Women in Second Stage Housing), they have been honoured to work with courageous women and their children as they break free from family violence.
The MREA Shelter Foundation grant will go towards replacement of beds and mattresses within the program family suites.
Community Respite Service Inc.
Since 1984, Community Respite Service has helped families and people with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing quality respite in Manitoba, fostering independence and participation within their communities. CRS is a participant and family centered care organization that strives to provide quality service. They provide parents and caregivers of people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities the opportunity to take a much-deserved break. They also provide support, companionship and assistance to people with disabilities whether they are living independently in their communities or with their caregivers.
Caring for a child or adult with a disability takes time, energy, and support. After rising to meet the challenge that goes with caring for someone with a disability, time off to rejuvenate becomes a necessity. For over 30 years, Community Respite Service has helped people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities to function with dignity and independence.
The MREA Shelter Foundation grant will go towards replacing and upgrading furniture and fixtures to accommodate the needs of their clients who use their respite apartment.
Working in close cooperation with the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM), Esther House has assisted women to move back into the community with a strong sense of confidence in their abilities to deal with their addictions and move forward in their lives. While at Esther House, many of these women have enrolled in training and upgrading, sought and found gainful employment and become reunited with their families.
Esther House Inc. is a non-profit, community-based facility that provides shelter and support to women in second stage recovery from addiction. It is one of the few non co-ed places where women can stay for a period of up to twelve months while making the transition back into society. Esther House is a safe house that provides the infrastructure necessary for women to heal, and gain confidence and self-esteem in order to continue their journey of life in recovery.
The MREA Shelter Foundation grant will go towards ongoing operational funding assistance.
Our mission is: to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities revealed through mutually transforming relationships; to foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members, whilst being faithful to the core values of our founding story; engage in our diverse cultures, working tougher towards a more humane society.
L’Arche Winnipeg began in 1973. Our community has grown over the years, and today we welcome 28 people with a developmental disability who are living in our six houses and two supported-living apartments, along with approximately 20 assistants, many of whom have come from other countries to experience L’Arche and make Winnipeg their home. Four of our houses, our apartments, and our office are in the east end of Winnipeg (Transcona) and are all within walking distance of each other. Our two other homes are closer to downtown Winnipeg (in Windsor Park and St. Boniface).
The MREA Shelter Foundation grant will help fund replacement of the roof of one of their community homes.
Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc.
Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council Inc. (MIIC) is Manitoba’s largest refugee settlement agency. Through the agency’s Settlement and Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) and its Educational and Community Services Division, MIIC staff work with multicultural, multi-linguistic and multi-faith communities in Manitoba to support Government Assisted Refugees (GARs), Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) and other newcomers.
The agency has over 65 years’ history of sustainability and growth. Governed by a multi-faith volunteer Board the agency mobilizes resources from government, and the general community, to deliver high quality services to help integrate refugees into Canadian society. Under the direction of the Board the agency monitors government policies and attitudes towards refugees and works cooperatively with federal, provincial and non-government agencies which are concerned for the welfare of refugees. The agency ensures through its programming and community connections with other like-minded and specialized agencies that refugees access and receive services that are necessary and appropriate for an individual and family need.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will help support the purchase of bed bug mattress and pillow protector covers, and the replacement and installation of bathroom vanities and sinks for residents at Welcome Place.
Through a partnership by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Manitoba Real Estate Association, The Manitoba Tipi Mitawa (MTM) program helps First Nations families wishing to purchase their first home, by guiding and supporting them through education and financial assistance.
The MTM program is unique in that they provide a holistic approach in supporting families through their journey to home ownership. They are there to help participants through each important step, from financial education, to home maintenance training, to REALTOR® selection and ultimately, in purchasing their first home. Manitoba will be a better place to live for First Nations families who flourish in stable communities where they develop secure social connections and build financial independence for future generations.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will help with contracting a grant writer to assist with program fundraising.
Marymound’s primary mission is with children, youth and families who need support as they face the challenges of growing, learning and parenting. Through culturally diverse care in safe living environments, individual relationships, academic preparation, therapeutic intervention and advocacy, Marymound supports Manitoba children and their families to reach their fullest potential and independence. Anchored in the values of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, Marymound believes in the intrinsic worth of every person. Their programs respect, nurture and enhance the strength in every individual and family.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will help support purchase and installation of new windows in one of their community homes.
Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.
Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. (Ndinawe) is an integrated service organization for youth, focusing on shelter, culture, recreation, education, outreach and support; in operation since 1993. The programs and services of Ndinawe have been developed according to traditional philosophy. Central to this philosophy is to give love, guidance, and respect. Since Aboriginal people often express feelings and carry out child-rearing in different ways than non-Aboriginal people, cultural customs and traditions have often been misunderstood by dominant culture. In more recent times, there has been recognition of the damage caused by societal attempts at assimilation and Aboriginal people have been begun the process of restoration and regeneration. The opening of Ndinawe in October 1993 is yet another step toward that end.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will go towards fixing minor kitchen repairs, the purchase of a dishwasher, and new kitchen supplies for the Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre.
Safe Families Canada (SFC) is an international multi-site volunteer movement that gives hope and support to families in distress, thereby strengthening the community safety net for at-risk families. SFC’s mission is to host vulnerable children and create extended family-like supports for desperate families through a community of compassionate volunteers motivated to keep children safe and, ultimately, reunite children with their families.
SFC’s aim is to facilitate a partnership relationship between volunteers and the placing parents, in which the Host Family becomes a kind of “extended family” for the family in crisis. Families should have access to help where they are, when they need it, in a useful form, and in non-stigmatizing ways.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will support coverage of office and overhead support.
Samaritan House Ministries Inc.
Motivated by a spirit of Christian service, the founders of Samaritan House Ministries aimed to reach out and help those people in Brandon and its neighbouring communities who were in need.
The Safe & Warm Shelter is a 10-bed emergency shelter designated for adults who experience occasional homelessness. The shelter is fully staffed with trained support workers and security guards who ensure safety and assistance for clients. From November 2015 to March 2016, 61 homeless men and women stayed for a total of 457 safe and warm nights. By March 2016, 7 people transitioned from the shelter into their own home.
The MREA Shelter Foundation grant will provide funding towards the cost of a security guard and house staff for the Safe and Warm Shelter.
S.H.A.D.E. (Safe Housing And Directed Empowerment) Inc.
S.H.A.D.E. is a Second Stage Housing initiative focused on supporting Newcomer (immigrant and refugee) women and their children affected by domestic abuse and / or family violence in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This support is centered around two pillars: 1) Safe Housing and 2) Directed Empowerment. The overall objective is to provide Newcomer women and any of their children with a safe place to live when they have decided to leave an abusive domestic situation and guide them toward rebuilding their lives in a sustainable, independent manner through psychosocial counselling and practical supports.
The target population of S.H.A.D.E. is immigrant and refugee women in Winnipeg, along with any children each woman may have, who are voluntarily seeking to leave an abusive domestic situation. These women are often financially dependent on a spouse, have limited English language skills, and have no alternate safe living space to move to when/if they need/choose to voluntarily leave a domestic abuse situation.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will support hiring a family counsellor for S.H.A.D.E’s new MIRRORS 10-week program for immigrant and refugee women who are living in or have left domestic abuse or family violence has recently been developed.
Transcona Council for Seniors Inc.
Transcona Seniors Resource Council is a non-profit information and referral hub connecting older adults with community resources to assist them in daily living. Their goal is to break down isolation and provide supports which will keep seniors well and independent. They currently serve over 400 meals per month, provide 60-100 rides to doctors appointments per month, and have over 500 participants in their various exercise programs.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will support the purchase of an upright freezer for their meal program.
Villa Rosa is a safe haven for single young pregnant women in Winnipeg, Manitoba that offers a wide variety of programs in a safe and nurturing environment. The majority of their residents are in their teens, but there is no age restriction for their services. They provide a place to live, individual counselling, life skills, education and community follow-up to 300 women every year, free of charge.
Research done through Villa Rosa and others sources shows that the most significant predictor of future success is by staying in school. Many women who come to Villa Rosa have never had a positive experience in school. On average Villa Rosa provides service to 300 residents each year through the residence, post-natal house and the follow-up programs. Since its inception Villa Rosa has served over 14,000 women and their children.
MREA Shelter Foundation funding will support purchasing furniture for their community lounge.
Women’s Safe Haven/Resource Service Inc.
Mandate is to provide services within the Flin Flon and surrounding area that protect and empower women and youth without discrimination through support, interim housing, referral, resources, information, counseling, and emergency housing. Working towards ending violence against women and children by providing immediate assistance through the Emergency housing program (Safe Haven), they assist women and youth to plan and apply changes towards personal growth, increased independence and empowerment in their lives through provision of individual and group counseling, information and referral. While also providing public awareness on women’s issues through workshops, public speaking, counseling services and walk-in facility.
The MREA Shelter Foundation funding will go towards upgrading their exterior stairs, so that community members can now safely access their services and space.
Prior year’s grant recipients:
