Celebrating the birthplace of many, many stories

For 127 years, a pre- and postnatal residence has been operating in Wolseley, offering a wide variety of programs in a safe and nurturing environment.

Originally run by nuns out of the basement and attic of the Misericordia Hospital, Villa Rosa eventually moved to 784 Wolseley Ave. For the first of many decades, young women, usually from the upper classes, went there to hide their pregnancies and have their babies adopted.

Today, some things might look different at Villa Rosa, but others haven’t changed at all. The home-like space, surrounded by the plentiful trees and foliage of this popular neighbourhood, is still dedicated to providing crucial support, including room and board, to mothers, babies and their families, during and after pregnancy.

It offers residents the opportunity — and volunteer support — to complete Grade 12 via a program set out by the Winnipeg School Division. Villa Rosa also offers a vibrant creative arts program that includes ceramics, sewing, visual arts, and drum-making.

“We have kept the same principles,” said Patricia Guenther-Smith, director of development. “The need to help women — compassion and mercy — and being there for those women in a non-judgmental space.

“The impact that has followed, over decades — societal expectations have changed. Back then you didn’t keep the baby. That has completely changed,” she explained, adding that Villa Rosa now houses expectant parents dealing with different issues, including poverty and drug use.

“Now almost all of them keep their children. They’ve made a choice before they come that they want this baby. Children were taken away by children’s services. Now the trajectory is to make their lives better,” she said, noting that 15,000 women have been served since the founding of the registered charity.

To acknowledge and celebrate the long and fascinating history and an abundance of vibrant and meaningful art at the centre of it, the timing was right to start sharing some of the many stories.

The theme of this year’s upcoming fundraising gala is storytelling.

“We are working on storyboards, a walk-through of the history of Villa Rosa,” she said of the organization founded in 1898 by the Misericordia Sisters.

The United Way organization is also working on its online auction, beginning Monday, Sept. 8, and the Storytelling Gala set for Thursday, Sept. 18. The aim is to raise much-needed funds for operations costs, and to help expand programs and special projects.

“We would love to have more social workers. We just don’t have the funds to do that,” said Guenther-Smith, noting they currently have fewer than 50 staff members.

The goal is to raise $55,000 between the auction and the gala. Guenther-Smith encourages anyone with an interest in supporting their work to learn more, buy a ticket to the gala or bid on the online auction items.

This year’s events celebrate a brand-new theme during a brand-new time.

“Typically, we had done brunch celebrating mothers in May, around Mother’s Day,” said Guenther-Smith, explaining that with numerous organizational and staff changes, the timing was moved to accommodate schedules.

Last year, Villa Rosa accommodated 87 expectant parents, each of whom was given the chance to finish their high school education and have access to post-secondary education scholarships.

For Guenther-Smith, who appreciates the long-standing history of the organization, and each of the life stories of residents past and present, the links and relationships made with Villa Rosa are precious.

“I am just amazed at the connectedness. Winnipeg is such a small community. Everybody seems to have some sort of connection that comes back here. People will come to our place — some will ask, ‘What happened to my child?’ Others have built friendships when they were here, women in their 60s,” Guenther-Smith said, describing some who reunited with their children and came to visit together.

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The online public auction will run through to Sept. 18. Hopeful winners can bid on a wide range of items for a chance to win prizes, including a stay at the Fort Garry Hotel, 12 weeks with a personal squash trainer, a sky-diving experience, paddleboard rentals and a six-day stay at Lake Louise.

Villa Rosa’s Storytelling Gala will be held at the Rocke Event Centre, 15-300 Caron Rd. on Sept. 18.

The evening will feature a three-course meal catered by the Wine House, chef Ben Kramer and Baked Expectations. Guests will learn about Villa Rosa’s history, hear stories from Villa Rosa alumni and experience a panel discussion with knowledge keepers and Minister of Families Nahanni Fontaine.

Gala tickets cost $150 each and include the three-course meal with table wine and a cocktail hour. Seating is limited. All proceeds will go directly to supporting Villa Rosa. Visit villarosa.mb.ca.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca