annual review 2008–09 manitoba region - Croix

Transcription

annual review 2008–09 manitoba region - Croix
Facing forward
Looking back
ANNUAL REVIEW 2008–09 MANITOBA REGION
MANITOBA REGION COUNCIL , OFFICERS AND MEMBERS 2008/09
Phyllis Wiscombe, President
Gordon Shead, Vice President
Patricia Fitzmaurice, Member
Blair Graham, Member
Colleen Schneider, Member
Mike Dickens, Member
Monica Dinney, Member
Angela McGuire-Holder, Member
Hakam Joll, Member
The Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba Region Annual Review 2008–09 was designed and edited by Michelle French. A special thanks to volunteers Shannon Una VanRaes and Abby Matheson for writing and research support, and
Chris Kepron for photo retouching.
Red Cross House, Winnipeg
1111 Portage Avenue, R3G 0S8
•
Red Cross House, Brandon
Unit 3, 613 – 10th Street, R7A 4G6
•
Toll free: 1-866-685-4250
www.redcross.ca/manitoba
Current Red Cross House in
Winnipeg,1111 Portage Avenue.
...who we are
MISSION The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people
by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
HUMANITY
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement,
born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination
to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human
suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect
life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It
promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation
and lasting peace amongst all peoples.
IMPARTIALITY
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious
beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the
suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs,
and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.
NEUTRALITY
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time
in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological
nature.
FACING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
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INDEPENDENCE
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while
auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments
and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must
always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able
at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the
Movement.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.
UNITY
There can only be one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society
in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its
humanitarian work throughout its territory.
UNIVERSALITY
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in
which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other,
is world-wide.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
...a year to remember
As I look back over our work this past year, and the excitement that revolves round our 100th year in Canada, I imagine what it must have been like for Henry Dunant—travelling through the remnants of a battlefield. He was compelled to
mobilize a group of volunteers to care for the sick and wounded. With a few simple Principles to guide him, he set out not
only to assist wounded soldiers on the battlefield, but also to establish a voluntary relief organization that would continue
this vision more than 100 years later.
Jennifer Montebruno
AsHIP
theCoordinator
President of the Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba Region, I work with the Regional Council to ask the question—where can we make
a difference? We look to the Fundamental Principles penned by Henry Dunant to guide our work and priorities. The work that takes place
in Manitoba reflects these Principles, and together with our international counterparts and sister societies around the world, we make a
difference, together.
This year, the Canadian Red Cross, Manitoba Region renewed its focus on our underlying support systems in order to build organizational capacity, grow programs and services, and reach more Manitobans. We are strengthening our human and financial resources, and
building our public image.
In terms of our staff compliment, we now have more tenure and experience across all programs and geographies and are positioned to
make significant gains in meeting our program objectives. Our Membership program continues to grow and has increased considerably
this past year. In addition to these developments, we have focused on building leadership capacity among volunteers. The Manitoba Flood
operation that opened up just before the close of this year is a perfect example. As this publication goes to print, volunteers are playing
lead Disaster Response management roles, both in full-time and part-time capacities. And yes—the building is big enough for all of us!
During this time of economic downturn, the financial health of any organization requires a more concentrated focus. The generosity and
trust of Manitobans has been demonstrated time and again through various Red Cross campaigns. Over $400,000 was raised to support
International Relief and Development, with funds being designated to 19 appeals—the largest of which include the China Earthquake,
the Myanmar Cyclone and the Cuba/Haiti Hurricanes. Contributions from some of our community partners such as the United Ways
continued to grow this year as well—allowing us to commit to new projects. The Wine Fair was a great example of successful partnership
fundraising to support our local operations.
And finally, our third priority—our public image. Our traditional approaches, including public awareness, education and media campaigns, received tremendous support and reached individuals, families and homes millions of times this year. We also leveraged our website content to enhance awareness and utilize social networking tools. Thank you all for helping to tell our story, bring in new partners,
reach more people in need and create awareness of our work.
On our 100th anniversary, we can look back at how Red Cross got its start and realize we too are a group of dedicated humanitarians. In
the face of the competition and constraints of a modern world, our organization remains relevant and responsive. As my term as President
draws to a close, I am proud to be part of a legacy and commitment to humanity that started more than 100 years ago.
Phyllis Wiscombe,
President of Manitoba Regional Council
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
...what’s inside
VOLUNTEER RESOURCES.......................................6
TELL US YOUR STORY..........................................7
DISASTER MANAGEMENT.......................................8
RESPECTED..........................................................10
HUMANITARIAN ISSUES.........................................12
FIRST AID & WATER SAFETY................................14
FUND DEVELOPMENT.............................................16
COMMUNITY OUTREACH........................................18
THANK YOU..........................................................19
FACING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
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Sickroom Equipment Loan Service, 1977,
nursing.
Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 2, File 37, No. 104
VOLUNTEER RESOURCES
...finding the right fit
Volunteers have always played an important
role in the support and delivery of Red Cross
programs and services here in Manitoba, and
this past year was no exception. In fact, this
year Volunteer Resources paid special attenLaverne Leenhouts
tion to fit and leadership potential—the idea
VR Coordinator
that volunteers with specific skill sets can play leadership roles
in service delivery, enhancing volunteer retention and providing both parties with a mutually rewarding experience.
Whether it’s accounting, logistics, or public speaking, Volunteer Resources has worked hard to pinpoint areas of need
and find the right volunteer for the opportunity. In Disaster
Management, we rolled out a leadership supervisory training
course to help us ramp up in the event of emergencies. Many
of the volunteers that took this programming are now playing
essential roles in the Manitoba Flood 2009 response.
In addition to finding the right fit, volunteers have continued providing meaningful contributions to Manitobans. Our
knitters produced much needed warm clothing for children
in need; door-to-door canvassers in rural Manitoba continued to knock on doors; volunteers with clerical abilities provided support to many program areas; the newly formed Humanitarian Issues Program team helped raise awareness on
humanitarian issues; and Restoring Family Links volunteers
processed cases to reunite family members.
Thank you to all the volunteers for their support and dedication. We know volunteers help us when assistance is needed,
but their contribution goes further. They’ve provided leadership; networking opportunities; and endorsed the work and
values of the Red Cross. They’ve supported us and each other
with their ideas, humour and commitment. Their work is truly appreciated.
Annie Black (left) and Mildred Herman (right) get
ready to sail for Japan as reinforcements of the Canadian
Red Cross welfare team already serving Canadian Armed
Forces in hospitals and leave centres there. Black grew
up in Oak Lake, while Herman called Swan River home.
Overseas Red Cross representatives often had extensive
volunteer experience. June 26, 1952.
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
...our history, your story
We often meet people who tell us about past experiences with Red Cross.
Sometimes it’s their own story, sometimes it’s a mother or father. This
year, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross in Canada, we’ve been asking Manitobans to “Tell Us Your Story.” Through
presentations to communities, media interviews, public centennial
events, and even our website, where we house a convenient electronic
form users can submit with the click of a button, the word is getting
out. Some stories have already arrived. Here you’ll find some of what
we’ve gathered...
JOHN’S STORY.
BARB’S STORY.
A volunteer, John, told us his grandfather was responsible for the coordination of the Prisoner of War Parcel Packing Plant that was based in
Winnipeg. A copy of his final report
said that they packed over 2.6 million parcels.
Barb says that she has been a volunteer since she was 6 years old and a member of the Junior Red Cross in grade 1 in a small town outside of Dryden.
They collected pennies for the war effort (WWII) and learned to knit items
for soldier’s parcels. She moved to Manitoba in the 60’s and has coordinated
many fundraising campaigns, blood donor clinics and was President of her
Red Cross branch. Barb participated in many committees and volunteered
for disaster responses—fires, floods and tornadoes. Now living in Winnipeg
Barb volunteers in our Warm Hands of Friendship program that provides
mitt,
hats Fand
scarves toLOOKING
children inBACK
need. 7
FACING
ORWARD,
MARY’S STORY.
A long time volunteer, Mary, told us about a
program designed to identify students who
needed glasses. Public health nurses performed the eye tests and Red Cross arranged
for the children and their parents to come to
Winnipeg to get their glasses. Mary was also
involved with the Home Nursing program. It
was originally designed to train family members to care for returning injured soldiers.
The program was so successful that many
asked to take the training so they could care
for elderly family members.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
...enhancing response capability
This year, Disaster Management (DM) focused on building up trained volunteers,
enhancing volunteer leadership skills and
developing core capacity centres to respond
to emergencies.
Amanda Herbert
Hundreds of volunteers received training in
DM Manager
everything from basic relief assistance (79), to human resources and logistics (19 people). Fifty-seven volunteers took
leadership training in everything from operations, to logistics, to human resources. Many of these key volunteers are
playing lead roles in the Disaster Response Team (DRT) that
is responding to the Manitoba Flood 2009. DM also focused
on The Pas and Thompson, training volunteers in emergency response, in supervisory roles, in instructor roles, and in
instructor trainer roles. DM also held R&I workshops with
remote Aboriginal community leaders from the north (75
people), introducing them to Red Cross R&I services in the
event of a disaster.
We also continued building response teams in Brandon and
Winnipeg, focusing on regional response capacity and devel-
oping a centralized DRT in Winnipeg, the latter of which is
now fully deployed for the Manitoba Flood 2009 response.
Next year, training will also focus on increasing the capacity
of teams in Selkirk, Dauphin, Swan River and Steinbach, allowing Red Cross to reach more Manitobans, more quickly in
the event of a disaster.
In terms of public education, in May 2008 staff and volunteers in Brandon and Winnipeg lived off of emergency preparedness kits for 24 and 72 hours respectively for Emergency
Preparedness Week, generating significant media attention
and reaching over 500,000 Manitobans. In March 2009, we
reached over 700,000 Manitobans through media channels by
emphasizing the need to prepare for the flood season.
Finally, DM responded to northern fires in May and June of
2008, prepositioning 300 cots and 300 blankets for affected
communities. In the Interlake, about 40 cleanup kits were sent
to Manitobans following a fall season of overland flooding.
This year DM built response capability, developed leaders,
and reached over one million people with personal preparedness messages. Congratulations staff and volunteers!
Ian Seunarine (left) and Alvin Patten (right) have taken
logistics training through the Red Cross DM program. Seunarine supplies clients with products as a logistics manager
at a private company. As a Red Cross volunteer working in
a humanitarian context, Seunarine says supply chains take
on a whole new meaning for him. “For me it’s about people
in need,” he explains. Patten works in construction by trade.
He says he’s been personally affected by disasters. “At some
point we have to give something back, and that is what it
boils down to,” he says.
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
Red Cross woman registers flood victims, flood of 1950.
Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. 143
Gib Wallace receives coffee from boy
scout on Kingston Row, Winnipeg Manitoba. During the Flood of 1950, Red
Cross operated a number of canteens
and provided food and sustenance to flood
victims and volunteers.
FACING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
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Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. N17963
RESPECTED
...building community resilience
The past year for RespectED has been one of
transition. In our constant efforts to reach all
children and youth with prevention education,
RespectED continues to strive to be as accessible as possible. This has resulted in an inJudy Peters
Manager, RespectED creased focus on community partnership development. Through the partnership delivery model we give
professionals the information and tools to take advantage of
decades of Red Cross research and expertise, and to deliver
violence and abuse prevention to the children and youth they
work with everyday.
In keeping with this model, we have expanded on our existing youth bullying and harassment prevention peer teams in
Swan Valley Regional, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, and seven schools
in the Hanover School Division. We have also retrained five
middle schools in the St. James School Division and added
St. Mary’s Academy to our roster. We currently have 99 peer
facilitators educating their classmates on bullying and harassment prevention.
Through a partnership with Sarasvati Productions, 3,120 students attended Ripple Effect, a touring play about peer violence. We provided advise on the script, promoted the tour to
our contacts, and provided educational materials to participating schools. We also trained the cast in bullying issues.
Prevention in Motion (PIM) and Walking the Prevention Circle (WtPC) are introductory workshops on the issues of vio-
lence and abuse that are designed to help launch individuals
and communities onto the path of prevention. This year the
Shilo Military Family Resource Centre held a PIM workshop,
the Keewatin Tribal Council—which represents 11 communities in Northern Manitoba—hosted a WtPC workshop, and
thanks to the support of United Way of Winnipeg, we hosted
a WtPC with participation from nine agencies in Winnipeg.
We also delivered eight c.a.r.e kit trainings for Swan Valley
School Division staff, Frontier School Division counsellors,
and the staff of 18 Aboriginal Head Start sites across the province, empowering communities to stop child sexual abuse.
A discussion of community capacity building would not be
complete without mention of our work with the Frontier
School Division. In addition to delivering a vast array of RespectED school-based programs, the Division broke new
ground by having two of their counsellors begin mentorship
training to become WtPC facilitators. They may very likely
become the first partners in the country to do so!
The work of RespectED is accomplished through the dedication of committed and caring individuals who share our
vision for protecting and enriching the lives of children and
youth through prevention education. In addition to partnership development, we have committed volunteers throughout
the province who continue to deliver presentations in schools,
reaching more than 1,000 youth. A special thanks to every
one of you!
Elder Betson Prince at the West Broadway Community
Centre. Betson took part in the Aboriginal Head Start c.a.r.e.
training in Winnipeg last spring. He says c.a.r.e. tools empower kids to speak up and understand their rights.
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
RespectED launches
in Vancouver
1984
RespectED
goes national
RespectED goes
international
RespectED is
delivered in
5 countries
1998
2006
2008
2009 marks RespectED’s 25th anniversary. The program has been helping
Manitobans since the 1990s say no to
violence through programs like c.a.r.e.
The original Trusty. While this puppet
may have changed stripes,Trusty is still
teaching kids to protect themselves.
FACING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
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HUMANITARIAN ISSUES
...developing global citizens
This past year, the Humanitarian Issues Program (HIP) was able to expand its reach into
several new areas of service while experiencing new growth and interest in existing programs as well. One aspect of our HIP service is
Jennifer Montebruno
HIP Coordinator a focus on developing youth leaders to engage
others in international humanitarian issues and to provide an
opportunity for these youth to develop their skills as global
citizens. This past year, nine youth volunteers joined the HIP
working group. Together they plan and organize events to
promote national Red Cross humanitarian campaigns. This
fall, they educated others about the “Ban Cluster Munitions”
campaign by holding an awareness night and collecting signatures for a postcard campaign. In February the HIP team held
a landmines awareness event, complete with survivor stories
and an interactive game designed to highlight the ongoing
human cost of landmines around the world. In all, the HIP
team spoke to 500 Manitobans this year, from school children
to seniors.
A long time and worldwide service, Restoring Family Links
(RFL), is a program that helps Canadians re-establish contact
with immediate family members after separation due to war,
internal conflict, or other humanitarian crises. Our dedicated
volunteers devoted 124 hours of time to this valuable service.
To match the growing need and interest in the RFL program,
a comprehensive outreach plan has been developed to build
awareness of these services among newcomer communities,
immigration and settlement workers, employers and support
agencies.
With advances in technology, people are increasingly interconnectedness as global citizens. The question is, what kind
of global citizens do we choose to be?
Meet RFL volunteer Marian Ulyatt. Ulyatt has been volunteering for the past
year. As a retired nurse with a background in investigation, searching for people
halfway around the world was a perfect fit. Ulyatt says she was surprised to get
cases dating back to WWII. “For me seeing the documents for family members
lost in concentration camps was kind of shocking, kind of profound,” says Ulyatt.
Ulyatt and Elizabeth Gehman provide the volunteer leadership behind Manitoba’s RFL team as the program expands its reach in Winnipeg this year.
HIP Youth Team. From left Olivier Masabarakiza, Choloe
Chapple, Jennifer Montebruno, Nadia Masabarakiza, Marcel
Lennon, Athena Kovacs, Maureen Njoki. Missing are Willy
Mushagalusa, Monica Thakur and Divine Masabarakiza. Lennon, Chapple, and Njoki are founding members.
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
Juniors from Gladstone School and
St. Mary’s School in Winnipeg admire
Christmas gifts for hospitals and homes,
December 1955.
Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. N17962
A member of the Junior Red Cross displays health kit. The youth are packing the supplies to send to victims of
Hurricane Haiti, Strathmillan School,
St. James Manitoba, 1961.
FACING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
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Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. N17968
FIRST AID & WATER SAFETY
...educating for life
As we celebrate our centennial year, we look
back with pride at our ongoing commitment
to preventing injuries and drownings.
First Aid & Water Safety (FAWS). This year,
Manitobans benefited from the introduction
Shirley Dunn
FAWS Representative of a web-based course search tool, which enables Manitobans to search online for courses in their areas.
In Manitoba, we trained 51 new Authorized Providers (AP),
who organize and arrange for First Aid and/or Water Safety trainings. Manitoba Region showed the second highest
growth in this area across western Canada.
Specifically in First Aid, in October, Emergency Medical
Responder (EMR) and First Responder Programs were relaunched. The EMR program is the first in Canada to incorporate the standards of all provinces and territories. This year,
we reached over 27,000 people through First Aid training.
Specifically in Water Safety, the Red Cross introduced
Swim@School and the St. James School Division began offering the program, in addition to the Lord Selkirk School
Division and the Mountain View School Division. The Red
Cross Swim Programs for Adults and Teens was launched in
November. Overall, the Water Safety lessons and trainings experienced growth this year, reaching more than 72,000 people
in Manitoba.
Injury Prevention (IP). A variety of programs make up our
IP services in Manitoba. Our Wal-Mart Rescuer Awards continued to draw attention to acts of life-saving behavior. The
Red Cross knitters and Mitten Tree Schools produced and
distributed nearly 2,300 mittens, hats and scarves to inner
city schools in Winnipeg, northern Manitoba, and through
the Brandon United Way Coats for Kids Program. ThinkTwiceThinIce, a video public service announcement on ice safety,
played on CTV at key times throughout the year. In the summer, through a partnership with Manitoba Health, volunteers
promoted West Nile Virus prevention. The Brandon First Aid
and Injury Prevention Team continued to provide basic First
Aid services at events throughout the year in the Westman
area, and volunteers promoted CPR during November is CPR
Month at a Winnipeg mall.
A big thank you to all the volunteers, partners, and staff in
educating Manitobans about safety.
On the Job.
According to one First Aid/CPR provider, occupational health and safety is
a growing concern in Winnipeg. Theo
Kowalchuck has made it her mission to
do something about high rates of workplace injury. The former paramedic
turned entrepreneur first became involved with the Canadian Red Cross in
1998 as a First Aid Instructor. It wasn’t
long afterwards that Kowalchuck started up her own business in Occupational
Health and Safety training. Theo Kowalchuck takes her role in the health and
safety field very seriously and hopes to
continue working hand-in-hand with
the Red Cross. Theo says Red Cross
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First Aid and CPR programs have a lot
of integrity, a good reputation, and are
forward thinking. Kowalchuck knows
that First Aid is very important. She
emphasizes the fact that “basic skills
save lives.” She’s proud to be one of
the businesses in Manitoba helping to
make that happen.
ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
The basic tenets of preventing disease
transmission can be seen on the wall of
this Red Cross nursing demonstration.
No date.
Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div. Ser. 2, File 37, No. 2
Students learn the key elements of water safety during an instructor training class, Souris, Manitoba, July 8,
1957.
FACING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK Archives
15 of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. N17965
FUND DEVELOPMENT
...planting seeds for growth
A large focus of our Fund Development time
this year was spent on working with donor
communities, corporate sponsors, and individual donors, planting seeds for future growth.
In terms of international fundraising, ManitoGuy Yerama
Manager, FD
bans stepped forward to raise money for people
suffering from devastating emergencies around the world. In
total, groups held 119 fundraisers, including dinners, letterwriting campaigns, and socials.
Fund Development (FD) also worked hard to reach out to
corporate leaders. On February 27th, this effort proved successful with the hosting of the 29th Annual California Wine
Fair. The event was sponsored by the U.S. Consulate, with
proceeds flowing to their charity of choice—the Red Cross
Manitoba Region! Corporate sponsors included Terracon
Development, DeLuca Fine Wines, Winesense, the Winnipeg
Goldeyes, CTV and the Delta Winnipeg. Nearly 300 people
attended the event itself, contributing to our ability to help
more Manitobans. A special thank you to the U.S Consulate
and the California Wine Institute for bringing this hosting
opportunity to the Red Cross.
In national corporate support, Wal-Mart and Rona were instrumental in raising funds through their retail outlets while
raising awareness Relief by the Numbers...
of Red Cross pro- Manitobans contributed over $500,000
grams. Thank you this year to support the international
to the 13 Wal-Mart work of the Red Cross. The top five
and 14 Rona stores appeals, ranging from approxmiately
in Manitoba that $21,000 to $335,000 in total donations
contributed to suc- include: China Earthquake, Myanmar
Cyclone, Cuba and Haiti Hurricanes
cessful campaigns.
and the Malaria Campaign.
The August 2008
Wal-Mart campaign raised an amazing $75,000 for disaster
management programming in Manitoba!
An effort was made to strengthen donor-Red Cross connections with the launch of Red Cross Tours—an open house
program where individual and corporate donors are invited
to a group breakfast or lunch, and staff make presentations on
key programs. The tour was praised by donors and staff.
Finally, relationships continued to be built on the planned giving front. Whether through direct mail or organizing Canadian Association of Gift Planners’ events, the Manitoba Red
Cross is working to create opportunities for Manitobans to
learn about the importance of leaving a legacy. Like corporate
sponsorship and international fundraising, Planned Giving is
also planting seeds, for current and future growth.
Kay Thomson poses for a photograph. Thomson was being
featured in the Winnipeg Free Press as a legacy donor. Since
the 1960s, Thomson has been paying premiums on a life
insurance policy that she gifted to the Canadian Red Cross
in the 1990s. “I believe very strongly in the Red Cross as
an organization,” explains Thomson, adding she wants her
donation to go to Manitoba Region, her long-time home.
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
Red Cross Show in Winnipeg Auditorium,
the same building that now houses the
Archives of Manitoba, where this Red
Cross photo is housed, March 7, 1951.
Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. 214
Red Cross message festoons the entrance of Winnipeg’s old City Hall.
This was just one way Red Cross kept
Manitobans mindful of the organization’s
service to the community. No date.
FACING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK
17of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 2, File 3, No. 19
Archives
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
...strengthening our reach
It has been a busy year for volunteers and
staff outside of Winnipeg. Our Community
Outreach Team consisting of: Wendy Petersen,
Brandon/Westman; Marian Hijkoop, Neepawa/
Parkland; Ellen Fitzsimmons, Interlake/EastJudith Weaver-Wright
Manager, Community man/Central; Tammie Clemenson, Thompson/
Development
Area; and Cherlyn Cain, The Pas/North West
worked with their volunteers to support and deliver Red Cross
programming, train new volunteers, and raise funds for the organization.
Disaster Management (DM) was a priority this year, especially
for our northern areas, which face regular forest fires, and the
Interlake/Eastman/Central, which endures frequent flooding.
In Thompson and The Pas, Clemenson and Cain respectively
recruited and trained DM volunteers as part of our volunteer
recruitment plan. Fitzsimmons worked tirelessly in Selkirk, Eriksdale, the RM of Springfield, Pinawa, the RM and town of Lac
du Bonnet, the RM of St. Clements, the RM of East St. Paul, Sagkeeng and Pinefalls to promote emergency preparedness, train
or update DM volunteers, and/or participate in mock emergency situations. Red Cross recruited many new DM volunteers
outside of Winnipeg this year.
From Swan River, to Grandview, to Mulvihill and Brandon, our
community volunteers groups successfully raised funds for a
variety of Red Cross programs and projects.
RespectED workshops and trainings took place in a number of
communities. Prevention in Motion was delivered at Shilo. The
Brandon Wheat Kings also received violence and abuse prevention education. The Swan Valley Regional High School took
part in Beyond the Hurt, a bullying and harassemnt prevention
program. In the north, new relationships with First Nations
communities continued to grow through DM trainings and RespectED abuse prevention education. A northern school division came on board as a new partner by purchasing c.a.r.e. kits
used to teach about and prevent child sexual abuse.
Last but not least, a new partnership between the Brandon and
District United Way, and the Brandon Red Cross office will help
vulnerable Canadians. Funding from the United Way has allowed Red Cross to target older adults and newcomer Canadians
through two programs. JUST IN CASE educates and empowers
older adults on emergency preparedness. SMART START orients new Canadians to First Aid basics, Injury Prevention and
local safety tips. This partnership will help to build knowledge,
skills and promote safer behavior within these target groups.
Community Outreach reaches Manitobans, wherever they live.
A Red Cross parade in Virden, Manitoba, no date.
Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. 4
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ANNUAL REVIEW 2008-09 MB REGION
Thank you
Volunteer Milestones
*
Marg Bragg•Allan
Campbell•Grant Delaney•Carolyn
Edwards•Faye Ellis•Shauna
Katcsma•Brenda Kiansky•Jim
McCarthy•John Morrow•Albert
Quon•Joan Thomson•Carole
Leslie•John Stefura•Lily
Sewell•Dennis Hallick•Phyllis
Wiscombe•Lily Sewell
*Volunteers recognized here celebrate reaching their
15, 20, or 25 year milestone this year.
United Way Invests Here
The United Way is a supporter of the Red
Cross in Manitoba. Their support makes
our work here in Manitoba possible.
First Red Cross House in Winnipeg, circa
1916, 31 Kennedy St.
Archives of MB, CRCS, MB Div., Ser. 1, No. N17963