5-minute read
Post Contributed by Julie Robichaud
Executive Assistant, Magellan Aerospace
Leadership Winnipeg Class of 2024-2025

Pope Francis said it best “Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all, for being more.”

Being a part of the Leadership Winnipeg 2024/2025 class has been incredibly humbling.  We had the pleasure of touring IRCOM, Immigrant Centre and House of Peace and learning about their programs and work with newcomers to our great city and province.  These directors (among others we have met along the way on this course) are the unsung heroes of our community. Here is why!

IRCOM

I live down the street from IRCOM and often passed by.  I would always say, “Look at all the children playing basketball together.”  Little did I know that they were a community, a family, with one thing in common – building a new future together here. IRCOM is a transitional housing unit for refugees and those immigrating to Canada.  Shereen Denetto, the Executive Director, explained the programs they offer that range from English to Financial Planning.  They also have many programs for children, childcare while the parent(s) are in program, a daycare to help them when they find work, an apartment that helps fit their needs (from studios to four bedroom) and all while helping them get on their feet.  Their team helps every step of the way including helping many of them open bank accounts for the first time, learning about credit and being incentivized about learning to save.  Beyan, the President of the Board, gave us a first hand story about his arrival to Canada and being a part of IRCOM and that his wife also was a part of the IRCOM family. With housing on both Isabel and Ellen, they can give many families hope, assistance, success and community.  Their mural for their anniversary says it all, Peace, Love, Knowledge and Growth!

Immigrant Centre

Leadership with a smile is the first thing that comes to mind when reflecting on this visit.  To see a leader like Jorge, who cares about his team, the community and those needing help coming or staying in Canada, was a joy.  You immediately just felt the love and compassion, the minute you walked into the room.  Roselyn told us her story of immigrating to Canada.  The mixed emotions of leaving your home country, your family and everything you know with the excitement, anxiety and hope to better yourself and your family.  They gave me a new perspective of how many hurdles you have to jump, all while just wanting to give yourself and your loved ones a hope of a better life.  Marjorie gave us a better understanding of what the Board does to help the team at the Immigrant Centre get their mission and values across and how they work together to be a strong front for those needing assistance.  The team there teaches newcomers about our foods, our multi-cultural ways, Indigenous peoples and have included a new library of amazing books for adults and children, and even teaches things you wouldn’t think about.  Our money, how to use it, where to use it.  They have computer labs, one-on-one tutoring, they help with work permits, PR status applications, citizenship information and have built relationships with them and their families – stemming many generations of love, guidance and community.  Many of them return in some capacity: to help, volunteer, work or even just say hello.

House of Peace

A giant hug.  That is what this place is to the women who are living there.  Along a busy street in the downtown area, you would walk by and not even know what lies behind the doors.  It’s not just a church, it’s a true sanctuary.  You can be spiritual, you can just need a quiet place to reflect and according to their director, you can even come eat your lunch and just scroll on your phone.  They have many regulars who come in, they don’t turn anyone away or judge any guests that come through the doors.  And that is only the tip of the House of Peace.  Behind another set of doors is a place to better yourself.  A place to give women hope, to place roots down and feel the security and safety for many of them, the first time in their lives.  They call the women who stay there “neighbours.”  But really they are sisters.  We heard from one of the neighbours and there was not a dry eye in the house but besides having met an incredibly strong woman, we got to witness for ourselves that she is making her dreams come true.  The House of Peace is a stepping stone, an important tool and resource for these women, but those women took the important step of getting out of dangerous situations for themselves.  They came looking for love, acceptance, guidance and refuge but leave with a stronger sense of independence, belonging and hope for the future.  A future that Sister Lesley and now Rosalinda Amato has paved.

The biggest take aways from this session were 1) I had no idea the hurdles newcomers face. It goes beyond the typical thought of “it must be tough to be in a new country.”  It opened my eyes to all the difficulties and all the wonders we may take for granted in our lives.  2) You just never know what is behind the closed doors of Winnipeg.  I lived near House of Peace for many years, walked by a thousand times in my lifetime and never knew the love, acceptance, hope and blessings they offer to their “neighbours.”  3) Winnipeg is filled with amazing Executive Directors, Boards and organizations that exude pure joy on what they do, the difference they make and the connections they have to those they help day in and day out.

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Our Leadership Winnipeg program is made possible with the support of our Vision Partners Canada Life, Johnston Group and The Winnipeg Foundation; Proud Partner Assiniboine Credit Union and our Proud Supporters Boston Pizza, Change Innovators Inc., Honest Agency, and University of Winnipeg.