In a neighbourhood challenged by poverty, unemployment, violence and a transient population, a special project of The Winnipeg Foundation is making a big impact. The Centennial Neighbourhood Project, a five-year, $2.5 million Foundation commitment, began quietly in late 2003. Now two years into this ground-breaking initiative, dozens of other funders, agencies and businesses have come together in a multi-faceted approach to community development.

A special event to celebrate these partnerships, and the progress made to date, will take place on Thursday, November 24th at Dufferin School, 545 Alexander Avenue. The celebration begins at 4:30 pm; remarks will be at 5:15 pm.

Based on the premise that "education is the ticket out of poverty," the Centennial Neighbourhood Project is housed in Dufferin School, which has become a hub for the community. The project partners have provided a number of new supports to students at the school, along with enhanced programming and resources for children and their families.

Central to the project has been the participation of the community. Centennial neighourhood residents have come together to form the Centennial Community Improvement Association (CCIA), which identifies and works to address issues of greatest concern in the community. So far, the Association has tackled issues related to housing and safety, and has worked with funders and agencies to make positive changes in these areas.

The project has also seen a number of the neighbourhood's community service agencies work together to further develop the services and support available in the Centennial area. Building on the expertise, resources and knowledge in the neighbourhood, funders, agencies, residents and local businesses are working together to strengthen the community through The Winnipeg Foundation's Centennial Neighbourhood Project.

The project is a major initiative of the Foundation, which also provides grants to local charities across a broad spectrum of areas. In 2005, the Foundation granted approximately $15 million to more than 560 charitable organizations.

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For more information, contact:
Richard Frost, Chief Executive Officer
The Winnipeg Foundation, Phone 944.9474


The Centennial Neighbourhood Project involves a wide range of initiatives supported by many partners. Here are some examples:

• Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre has played an invaluable role in the project, offering both administrative support and human resources support. They've also shared their expertise in the area of neighbourhood development, and experience working with families in the community.
• The Centennial Community Improvement Association has been founded and is playing an active leadership role in community development activities.
• With support from Healthy Child Manitoba and Winnipeg School Division, a Family Resource Centre has been established at Dufferin School as a welcoming place for parents – it is staffed with a Community Support Worker from the neighbourhood.
• The Freight House Day Care Centre has undertaken playground renovations as well as a language development program.
• Central Community Centre has received an augmenting grant for youth programming.
• Urban Circle Training Centre, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Winnipeg School Division and Dufferin School working in partnership with the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development, Neighbourhoods Alive, Aboriginal Single Window Initiative, the Royal Bank of Canada and the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement have created the Aboriginal Teacher Assistant Program.
• A community newspaper has been established.
• A "Learning Through the Arts" program has been established at Dufferin School.
• The Business Council of Manitoba has created a "Career Exposure Program" which affords students the opportunity to visit local businesses and learn first hand about different careers.
• The Little Red Spirit Aboriginal Head Start Program now operates from Dufferin School with the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre and the Winnipeg School Division.
• The Federal and Provincial Governments have just announced the construction of 10 new homes for rent-geared-to-income tenants.
• The Army Cadet League of Canada has purchased various equipment to enhance its youth programming.
• Winnipeg Boys and Girls Clubs has augmented youth programming at their Freight House location including their "Hands Helping Hands Project" which provides community service oriented jobs for youth ages 9-15 years.
• Ducks Unlimited has launched an "adopt a class" program aimed at environmental education and is actively engaged at Dufferin School.
• A "summer learning loss program" was established with the support of Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, the Social Planning Council and Dufferin School.
• The Inner City Missions of the Presbyterian Church has strengthened its Parish Nurse Program at Anishinabe Fellowship Centre.
• Staffing has been bolstered at Dufferin School with the addition of extra support from a Speech & Language Pathologist & Clinician Assistant. There has also been an investment in better technology and more after hours use of the computer lab. Dufferin School has also augmented its cultural programs, early intervention and professional development in the area of anti-racism education.
• Rossbrook House has augmented its Intermediate Youth Worker Program and is partnering with Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club on "Hands Helping Hands Project."
• Kinew Housing and SEED Winnipeg have both received resources to strengthen their activities in the neighbourhood.
• Block improvement grants of $3,000 each are available for "block clubs" to make street improvements such as gardens, fence repairs, outside lighting, etc.
• Working with Buffalo Credit Union and the Real Estate Board, two homes are being renovated under the Housing Opportunity Partnership program.
• A Community Support Intern has been recruited from the neighbourhood to assist with the administrative aspects of the project.
• In partnership with the Manitoba Urban Native Housing Association, significant research and strategic planning has been directed to housing policy—this includes organizing a Western Canada Urban Aboriginal Housing Conference in 2004.
• An Elder now works at Dufferin School in a variety of ways, thanks to the support of the National Crime Prevention Centre.