CommunityFoundation donors directed their support to dozens of community organizations during the pandemic. This support helped charities delivering services and programs follow COVID-19 health protocols, maintain outreach, and adapt to changing technology needs. Here are some funding highlights from the past 2+ years.
Agape Table provides meals to vulnerable individuals while treating them with dignity, respect, compassion, and joy. Donor support helped Agape shift from offering meals in its dining room to providing to-go meals for 400-600 guests every weekday, by covering additional costs such as paper bags, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies.
Art City is a charitable community art studio, dedicated to providing people of all ages with innovative and professional art programming, free of charge. Donor support enabled Art City to establish remote programming, with a focus on vulnerable youth and individuals.
The Dream Factory makes dreams come true for kids in Manitoba battling life-threatening illnesses, by being a source of joy, laughter and hope for kids and families going through difficult experiences. Donor support helped the Dream Factory offer fun virtual activities for kids with life-threatening illnesses during social isolation.
Inclusion Winnipeg is an organization that advances the lives and status of children and adults living with an intellectual disability, supports families, and advances human rights and inclusion in the community. Donors helped Inclusion Winnipeg work with Shared Health to create messaging, produce a video, and launch information explaining pandemic protocols in a clearer way to individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Ka Ni Kanichihk Medicine Children’s Lodge is a licensed childcare facility providing a positive learning atmosphere incorporating the Seven Sacred Teachings and the Medicine Wheel Philosophy into daily programming. With donor support, children attending the daycare centre received nutritional snacks and meals, and food to take home to their families. Ka Ni Kanichihk also provided 83 Winter Solstice Bundles to youth and elders during the holiday season.
Knowles Centre is a community-based, non-profit social service agency for children, adolescents, and young adults facing difficult times. Donors helped the centre purchase personal protective equipment for group home clients and staff to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Manitoba Islamic Association offers religious services, community educational programs for children and families, charitable assistance to those in need, and social and cultural programs. Donor generosity made it possible for the association to offer online supports and deliver food and essential items.
R.B. Russell Vocational High School and Children of the Earth High School offer multiple programs and academic opportunities for young people in central Winnipeg. Donor support helped provide Chromebooks to students who had also received The Winnipeg Foundation’s You Can Do It Awards, allowing them to continue their studies during remote learning periods.
St. Boniface Street Links works to end homelessness, reduce poverty, and support crime prevention through social development as a “best practice” for successful community development. Donor helped the organization continue to provide outreach and essential items to people experiencing homelessness.
St.Amant is a comprehensive resource for Manitobans with developmental disabilities and autism, including a large residence for complex-care, more than 100 community sites and homes, the St.Amant Research Centre, St.Amant School, and River Road Child Care. Donors helped provide iPads and other electronic supports so residents could stay in touch safely with family members.
The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub (The WRENCH) provides access to tools, bicycles, and bike repair knowledge to communities. Donor support helped The WRENCH adapt its bicycle repair shops and programming to continue operating with proper safety precautions in place.
Donor generosity also supported several hospital foundations and personal care homes, enhancing the safety and well-being of patients and staff throughout the pandemic.
This story is featured in the Spring 2022 issue of our Working Together magazine. Download or view the full issue on our Publications page.