Daniel Hidalgo joins us to talk about his organization CommUNITY204, a grassroots organization focused on helping marginalized and houseless communities through lateral love, empathy, and heart work.

Peter McMullen, Executive Director of Lighthouse Mission, shares his personal journey through addiction and homelessness. His story highlights how Lighthouse Mission transforms lives with compassion, hope, empathy, love, and a commitment to community.

Three expert panelists join us to talk about the benefit and necessity of volunteerism in our city, how to get involved with the causes you care about, and the importance of volunteering/mentorship to the health of our communities.

Guest panelists:

Ashley Seymour - Executive Director, Volunteer Manitoba

Daneil Hidalgo - Founder/Director, CommUnity204

Rana Ahmed - Mayor’s Volunteer Service Award recipients from the 2024 Annual Volunteer Awards

Mark Stewart, Executive Director of Salvation Army Winnipeg Centre of Hope, talks about his lived experience with homelessness 18 years ago, how the Salvation Army’s mission has grown and evolved over the years, and the partnerships and collaboration happening to put an end to poverty in our city.

Tessa Blaikie Whitecloud, CEO of Siloam Mission, talks about what investment needs to be made in our community to end the homelessness crisis in Winnipeg, how her team at Siloam are using a trauma-informed, results-based approach, and the progress that’s being made on this challenging topic, in our city.

In celebration and reverence of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th, Elders Belinda Vandenbroeck and Oliver Boulette join us to talk about Truth and Reconciliation, the value of ceremony and prayer, and the importance of listening and learning about our shared history.

Why Recovery Matters is a deep dive on the processes, outcomes, and stigmas of recovery and addiction, with three recovery experts with both lived and learned experience: Greta Waples, Rehabilitation Counsellor at St. Raphael Wellness Centre, Angie Lohr, Executive Director at Two Ten Recovery Inc, and Steve Low, Treatment Consultant/Acting Clinical Director at Aurora Recovery Centre.

Matthew Hodgins is a certified Addictions Counsellor at St. Raphael's Wellness Center who has dedicated his life to addictions recovery. He specializes in men's issues, including how and why men are vulnerable to addiction and the barriers to treatment. Matthew runs a men's recovery group through the SRWC, if you'd like more information, visit srwc-mb.ca/

Patty Wiens, Winnipeg's Bicycle Mayor and Board Member of Bike Winnipeg sits down to talk about  the importance of cycling infrastructure, how riding a bike can improve mental and physical health, and the economic benefits of switching to riding a bike on your morning commute.

Producer: Juan D. Lavao