CommunityPhoto: SIP participants at Women’s Health Centre, including Amy Tuckett-McGimpsey (fourth from left) and Nav Brar (fourth from right)
Growing the sector through Youth in Philanthropy.
Each year, The Foundation’s Summer Internship Program (SIP) connects Youth in Philanthropy (YiP) participants with mentors from registered charities for eight-week paid internships during July and August. The experience is beneficial to both as it builds organizational capacity and awareness, while teaching youth skills and responsibility.
We spoke with Women’s Health Clinic mentor, Amy Tuckett-McGimpsey, and Summer intern, Nav Brar, about their experiences. The interviews took place in August, during the placement.
From an intern’s perspective
Working Together: What made you join SIP?
Nav Brar: I’ve always been interested in human rights and non-profit work, but I didn’t quite have a focus. I thought if The Winnipeg Foundation could pair me with an organization that suited my interests, maybe I would be able to find a better focus. I thought it would also provide a good foundation for any future pursuits in the sector.
WT: What was your experience like?
Nav: It’s been amazing. I found such great role models here that teach me something new every day. My opinions are validated and just having the conversations and learning from all these people around me who are such great feminists, has helped me grow as a person and as feminist and as an activist.
WT: speaking of growth, what are some of the skills you gained from your sip experience?
Nav: I’ve furthered my communication skills. I’m able to talk to people one on one and email others in formal and informal ways. I’ve also learned a lot of the behind the scenes of event organization. You go to these great events put on by great organizations and all you see is what’s in front of you. You don’t see the months of work and stress that went into it.
WT: Do you plan to stay involved with the charitable sector going forward?
Nav: Yes, definitely. Reproductive health, gender equity and those things have been close to my heart all my life. Now that I’ve worked in the health care sector and with people at the Women’s Health Clinic, this is something I would like to continue.
WT: Why should people volunteer or support charitable organizations in our city?
Nav: I want to give back to the community that helped develop me into the person I am. I’m proud to be the person I am today, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the community, the people, the programs and organizations that I’ve experienced in my life.
“I found such great role models here that teach me something new every day.”
Nav Brar, Summer Internship Program participant
From a mentor’s perspective
Working Together: Why did your organization want to be involved with SIP?
Amy Tuckett-McGimpsey: As a non-profit, charitable organization we are in constant need of funds and help. We depend on volunteers as they are the heart of Women’s Health Clinic. Having Nav has been so helpful. It was really a win-win for us.
WT: What do you hope interns learn from their experience?
Amy: We wanted to show her what health care really is, and help her understand reproductive health care and the wide spectrum of services we have at Women’s Health Clinic. We try to use language that’s inclusive, welcoming and non-judgmental, so giving thought to that and looking at things with a critical lens are things I hope she takes away.
WT: Why is it important that The Winnipeg Foundation’s Summer Internship Program exists?
Amy: It gives us an opportunity to do so much more. With health care cuts, we must do more with less. To have enthusiastic, competent, and intelligent students work for us is such a game-changer. This summer, we were able to do so much more. Things we had only dreamed of. Nav really made an impact on our organization and that was all through The Winnipeg Foundation.
WT: Is there anything that you would like to say to your summer intern?
Amy: It has been such a pleasure to work with her. She’s been enthusiastic about everything she’s done, whether it is unloading T-shirts at the downtown farmer’s market, calling people on the phone to thank them for their donation, fundraising, or sourcing out the canopy for the farmer’s market. Everything is tackled with enthusiasm and integrity and it’s just been a pleasure. Thank you so much.
“To have enthusiastic, competent, and intelligent students work for us is such a game changer. This summer, we were able to do so much more.”
Amy Tuckett-McGimpsey, Women’s Health Clinic; Summer Internship Program mentor
Learn more: wpgfdn.org/youngwinnipegconnect
2019 PLACEMENTS
This year, youth were placed at the following charities:
- Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network
- Rainbow Stage
- End Homelessness Winnipeg
- Women’s Health Clinic
- Canada’s National History Society
- Centre Flavie Laurent
- West Broadway Community Organization
- Variety, The Children’s Charity of Manitoba
- Nor’West Co-op Community Health
- Ma Mawi-Wi Chi-Itata Centre
- West Broadway Youth Outreach
- Winnipeg Harvest
This story is featured in the Fall 2019 issue of our Working Together magazine. Download or view the full issue on our Publications page.