HOUSING SUPPORTS INITIATIVE PROJECT PROFILE |
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Sara Riel will deliver mental health and substance use support to individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness
Sarah Riel provides a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for people facing mental health and substance use/addiction challenges, with a goal of helping them reach their full potential. The HSI funding will help the organisation address the mental health epidemic by hiring new staff to reach out to individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
New HSI-funded staff at Sara Riel include a full time peer support worker and a case manager, both of whom deliver important mental health and addiction support to people facing housing crises, especially due to COVID-19. These staff provide assisted daily living and wrap around support to individuals residing in the community.
Sara Riel’s Executive Director, Tara Snider, says that the need for the type of support the HSI makes possible is “overwhelming”, and that Sara Riel currently has 33 people on the waiting list to access services. The new staff will help with this backlog, and will continue to provide much needed assistance with daily living skills. Snider explains that “these positions have assisted with doctors appointments and going to the bank, nutrition, laundry, day to day things. The case manager will sit down with participants and set goals, the individual will be able to move forward”.
In addition to the more pragmatic aspects of daily life, the programming involves “working with individuals so they can see alternate ways of doing things. We want to be able to look at positive cognition and see what we can do based on the strengths of participants. The case manager sets goals, and we have a community mentor role with lived experience that can really connect using peer support values to form a relationship that can be built upon”, explains Snider. Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey, and having dedicated staff to form solid relationships with participants and give them guidance based on a deeper understanding of their personal strengths and the specific challenges they face is important.
Snider goes on to explain that Sara Riel’s work, and specifically that of the HSI-funded positions, “is recovery oriented, working with people with mental health, substance use and addiction. It is inclusive and safe, compassionate and respectful. The workers follow harm reduction and trauma informed care, and will continue to learn new skills”.
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Manitoba, Federal Governments Provide $1.5 Million to Main Street Project to Support Shelter Expansion
The Manitoba and federal governments have provided $1.5 million in funding to Main Street Project (MSP) for a COVID-19 expansion of its shelter facility in Winnipeg’s inner city.
“Adequate overnight options for people experiencing homelessness are essential, especially in the colder winter months,” said Minister Squires. “Although more work is needed to support Manitoba’s homeless population, Main Street Project’s success in expanding its shelter will help more people find a safe place to stay and to receive support.”
The new project was developed at the former Mitchell Fabrics building at 637 Main St. To allow for physical distancing and to expand overnight shelter capacity, MSP completed renovations to increase to 120 overnight beds from 70 mats at its former location. The new site has been at or over capacity since it opened in December 2020, noted the minister.
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$12.7M in funding coming for 3 affordable housing projects in Winnipeg
Three new affordable housing projects in Winnipeg — aimed at helping Indigenous people, women and children fleeing domestic violence, and 2SLGBTQ people — are getting $12.7 million under the federal government's rapid housing initiative. One project, located at 670 Main St., will be operated by the Manitoba Métis Federation and will convert an existing building into 22 residential units for Indigenous people. Another, at 590 Victor St., will be operated by West Central Women's Resource Centre and will have 16 homes for women and children fleeing domestic violence. The third, operated by Westminster Housing Society, will create 21 new homes for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning residents. It will be built at 545 Broadway, at Good Street. To read the CBC story click here.
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Housing Supply Challenge - Northern Access: Supply Chain Solutions for North and Remote Housing
The 3rd round of the Housing Supply Challenge - Northern Access: Supply Chain Solutions for North and Remote Housing, has been postponed until February 2022. You can subscribe to the website, so you will be alerted of all upcoming notifications
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Winnipeg Rental Network: Community of Practice Network meetings begin in February
Topics: What can 211 do for you & A rapid option for Option C
When: Feb 16, 2022 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Volunteer Manitoba and United Way Free Education Opportunities
Volunteer Manitoba and United Way are hosting a series of free webinars in collaboration with Assiniboine Credit Union (ACU) regarding non-profit finances. The series is facilitated by Nigel Mohammed, Director of Community Financial Centre at ACU. Nigel leads a team of specialists with expertise in providing creative financing solutions to support not for profits, social enterprises, cooperatives and small businesses.
Volunteer Manitoba:
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February 22: Specific Loan programs/partnerships for Non-Profits, for more information click here.
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March 22: Banking in a Post-COVID Era - How Technology and Cash Management Services can benefit your non-profit, for more information click here.
United Way
- April 12: Accessing Financing – What Not for Profits Need to Know, for more information click here.
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May 10: Community Banking Partnerships to Enhance Client Services, for more information click here.
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June 7: Banking Fundamentals for Not for Profits, for more information click here.
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CMHC: New funding opportunity to create shelters and transitional housing
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has recently launched a funding opportunity to create shelters and transitional housing to help meet the need for more safe shelters for Indigenous women and their children, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people escaping gender-based violence, and women and their children fleeing domestic violence in Canada:
This $724.1 million initiative is designed to expand supports for Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people fleeing gender-based violence. This program is open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and governments, including shelter providers who serve First Nations, Inuit and Métis women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
The submission window will remain open on a continual basis until December 2023.
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MNPHA: Rent Relief Fund Team Lead
As part of a small team and in collaboration with partners in the housing and homelessness sectors, the Rent Relief Team Lead is responsible for the ongoing implementation, process improvements, and case management team development the Rent Relief Fund, established to support people who are at risk of losing housing or in need of financial support to attain housing though no interest low barrier loans. To learn more about the position and how to apply click here.
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Carpathia Housing Co-op: Property Manager
Carpathia Housing is a Member owned, 215-unit Housing Co-operative situated in two superb locations, Tuxedo and River Heights. They are committed to sound financial performance, cooperative and democratic values, and a pleasant and fulfilling environment for employees and members. They are seeking an ambitious and dedicated Co-Op Manager to work under the Board of Directors. To learn more about the position and how to apply click here.
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FEBRUARY PICTURE OF THE MONTH |
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February's picture of the month is of HSI recipient Sara Riel's "Celebrate 150” event held in November 2021. Congratulations again to the Sara Riel team! |
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membership@mnpha.com I (204)797-6746
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