4-minute read
The Spirit of Winnipeg Awards Gala is one of our business community’s most highly anticipated events — and it’s all about honouring local organizations making a difference in our city.
Ahead of the 14th Annual Spirit of Winnipeg Awards on June 16, we’re giving you a closer look at how some of our finalists are impacting our city. Today, we’re giving you an inside look at one of our CODE finalists, Manitoba Possible!
Manitoba Possible is a non-profit that betters our community by striving to make society inclusive and accessible for all. By providing a vast array of programs and services throughout the province, Manitoba Possible helps empower and uplift those with disabilities. Their services include language training for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, financial empowerment programming, and community-based therapies. Their programs make a difference for Manitobans of all ages.
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce (WCC): What do people need to know to understand who your organization is?
Photo provided by Manitoba Possible
Manitoba Possible (MP): Manitoba Possible believes an inclusive and accessible society is possible. That is why we work together to eliminate barriers to full and equal participation. Manitoba Possible provides programs and services throughout the province by working collaboratively, diversifying at every level, and innovating in every way possible. Services are provided to persons of all ages and abilities and include community-based therapy and case management for children; language and other services for Deaf and hard of hearing at all ages; navigation supports for newcomers with disabilities and their families; community accessibility education and training; financial empowerment programming; recreation, leisure and adaptive sport programming; employment support and vocational rehabilitation; assistive technology and wheelchair provision services; support for 15 volunteer-based self-help non-profit organizations; and much more.
WCC: What does Winnipeg mean to you?
MP: We believe there is a valued place for everyone in Winnipeg and our aspiration for Winnipeg is that it becomes a fully inclusive and accessible city. Winnipeg means diversity. We value diversity and appreciate each person in front of us for who they are and recognize their uniqueness as valuable.
Photo provided by Manitoba Possible
WCC: Who do you want to inspire?
MP: We want to inspire every child, youth, and adult with a disability to dream big. We want to inspire people with disabilities to set goals and work hard; to think of possibilities and believe in achieving them. We want to inspire those sitting on the sidelines that they have a right to participate, to selfdetermination and choice. We want to inspire every Winnipegger to remove barriers to become an inclusive and accessible society.
WCC: Can you share a moment when you realized how significant your actions are?
Photo provided by Manitoba Possible
MP: For over 70 years we have been putting our heads down working hard and the work is not done. We don’t stop or look up often enough to appreciate our significant actions, but we know they happen. We know it when someone we’re working with finds a job, or when a parent thanks us for helping their child improve their mobility or that they know what it means to be a hockey mom thanks to our sledge hockey program. Or when a creative idea to a problem means a barrier is removed. It’s the accumulation of these many moments that helps us realize how significant our actions are.
WCC: What excites you about what you do?
MP: It’s thrilling when people achieve their personal goals and it is exciting when we see barriers removed that increases participation and includes everyone. Staff often remark about going home at the end of the day feeling good about making a positive difference in someone’s life.
14th Annual Spirit of Winnipeg Awards Gala
|
 |
*All images provided by Manitoba Possible*
