Engage!

On the final episode of Engage, we check in with our first guest Elliott Walsh, Manager of Studio 393, a free youth-led arts studio & an initiative of Winnipeg’s Graffiti Art Programming Inc. Since we last spoke, 393 is in the midst of putting the finishing touches on a beautiful brand new space, ready to welcome back participants post-pandemic!

Engage is back at it for episode 25 (!!) as we speak to Uyen from Art Beat Studios! Art Beat strives to enable consumers of mental health services to engage in artistic expression that promotes recovery, empowerment and community, and to provide studio space, community and opportunity for creative initiatives to facilitate mental, spiritual and economic health.

On episode 24, we are so fortunate to be joined by James and Rebecca, two of the organizers for Winnipeg Police Cause Harm, a community-centred police abolitionist group committed to defunding the Winnipeg Police Service and reallocating resources to life-sustaining services.

On episode 23, we speak with two members of the amazing team at Sscope Inc! Located in the Neechi Commons building, Sscope = Self-Starting Creative Opportunities for People in Employment, and has been providing housing, employment and volunteer opportunities for people living with a mental health illness since 1991.

On episode 22 we're so excited to be joined by Kelly Holmes, Executive Director, and Kate Armstrong, Communications Manager, from Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY)! For more than 25 years, RaY has empowered disconnected youth through supports, training, and compassion to encourage them to make the best possible choices for their lives on their own terms.

Today we're excited to be joined by Omar Kinnarath, one of the founders and organizers behind the Winnipeg Mutual Aid Society. Very early on in the pandemic, Winnipeg MAS came together with the aim of bringing people together during this crisis to enact mutual aid among each other - whether it was folks who can offer assistance or folks in need of assistance.

We're back with episode 20 and today we're delighted to speak with Rosalyn Boucha, Communications Manager for Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata! Born in the fall of 1984 by committed community members who sought an Indigenous solution to supporting and rebuilding families, Ma Mawi has worked to support families to better care for children by creating meaningful opportunities for community and family involvement.

On episode 19, we're joined by Shawna from the Migiziwazison Sacred Fire camp that is set up on the Manitoba Legislative grounds. The fire at the camp was first lit on June 25, 2021, continues to burn today and will remain lit until all former residential school grounds in the country are searched..

Episode 18 is in full effect and we're joined by the wonderful Louise Simbandumwe, Co-Director at SEED Winnipeg. SEED envisions a world where opportunities exist for all people and communities to realize their hopes and it's mission is to build strong communities and increase opportunities for people through financial empowerment programs and services.

We're back with a brand new interview with the amazing Bryce Byron, Information and Intake Coordinator at the Rainbow Resource Centre. Rainbow Resource Centre offers support to the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the form of counselling, education, and programming for individuals ranging from children through to 55±. It also supports families, friends, and employers of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.