Embracing the power to help people find strength
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/08/2022 (1422 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
One of the routines Janice Michnowicz developed after she retired seven years ago is starting each morning by reading the Free Press while eating white cheddar popcorn.
“People don’t believe it, but it’s true,” Michnowicz says about her breakfast food. “I have about 20 bags in the basement.”
It was while reading the newspaper one morning in December 2018 that the 62-year-old Sage Creek resident learned about U-Turn Parkinson’s, an organization that helps people who have the neurodegenerative disease improve their quality of life.
ETHAN CAIRNS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Janice Michnowicz stands inside Serratus Movement Centre, where she volunteers once a week in the U-Turn Parkinson’s program, helping participants do workouts and modify their routines.
At the time, Michnowicz volunteered a few weeks every year — at the Manitoba Open golf tournament in summer and at Festival du Voyageur in winter — and was looking for somewhere she could volunteer on a regular basis.
She signed up to volunteer with Empower-U, an exercise class offered by the non-profit.
“I have a few friends who have Parkinson’s so it caught my attention,” she says.
Exercise has been proven to slow down Parkinson’s and control its symptoms. It helps people maintain their ability to do everyday activities.
Formerly known as Rock Steady, Empower-U is an upbeat class that provides a full-body workout that combines functional strength training, stretching, range of motion, coordination, balance and agility exercises.
U-Turn Parkinson’s offers the class on the north and south sides of the city as well as online.
Michnowicz volunteers once a week at a class at Serratus Movement Centre on Henlow Bay. She sanitizes equipment before and after the class, but the majority of her time is spent assisting the instructor and supporting participants.
All of the exercises can be modified for safety and ability, so sometimes Michnowicz models the seated option while the instructor leads other participants in the standing option.
“The coaches really make it fun. The people that run the program and the participants are so wonderful,” she says. “You’re encouraging the participants and you get some exercise by participating in the class.”
Seeing participants get stronger is meaningful to Michnowicz, who says people move on from modified exercises to more difficult variations. Some participants have reported results such as regaining the ability to play piano and decreasing their medication.
“Just seeing the improvement is amazing,” Michnowicz says.
Volunteers are important at Empower-U, says U-Turn Parkinson’s program manager Heitha Forsyth.
“Volunteers are integral to creating the sense of community that we want,” Forsyth says. “They help us create this positive, fun, go-get-’em atmosphere so that our participants feel motivated and supported.”
Forsyth is looking for more volunteers to help at Empower-U classes. Warm, friendly and attentive people who are physically able to participate and can commit to at least two classes a month are encouraged to apply by emailing ucrew@uturnpd.org or calling 204-510-4869.
“I would encourage people to do it,” Michnowicz says. “It’s so flexible and the participants are so thankful.”
“I don’t know how to describe it without sounding corny, but volunteering has just enriched my life,” she adds. “It’s so much fun.”
If you know a special volunteer, please email aaron.epp@gmail.com.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Sargent MCC Thrift Store needs a cashier. Duties include collecting payments, issuing receipts, resolving complaints, helping and greeting customers, and maintaining clean and tidy checkout areas. Email mccsargent@shaw.ca by this Thursday.
BBB Education Foundation of Manitoba needs volunteers for a recycling and paper-shredding event on Sept. 15. Duties include set up and cleanup, receiving electronic donations, sorting and organizing items, helping clients with registrations, directing traffic to keep vehicles within the drive-through area, and helping other volunteers/staff members as needed. Time commitment is 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Email malarcon@manitoba.bbb.org or call 204-989-9010, ext. 105 by Sept. 5.
Special Olympics Manitoba is returning to weekly sport programs this fall, offering 18 sports to athletes across Manitoba. The organization is actively recruiting program and coaching volunteers. Duties include encouraging athletes to actively participate and teaching them specific sports skills as well as basic motor skills. The Winnipeg Wine Festival, a fundraising event for Special Olympics running Sept. 17 to Sept. 24, is recruiting volunteers at various events around the city, including the gala dinner and public tastings. Duties and roles include ticket-taking, distributing wine glasses and programs, selling raffle tickets, and water jug/spittoon helpers. Contact Kayla Kasian about either opportunity at kkasian@specialolympics.mb.ca or 204-781-1714. The deadline for wine festival applications is Sept. 9.
The Henteleff Park Foundation needs gardeners. Duties include removing weeds from around shrubs, placing woodchips and disposing of weeds as instructed. Volunteers set their hours, helping as frequently as they wish. Email terri.ashcroft@henteleffpark.org by Sept. 15.
Nuit Blanche Winnipeg, the nighttime celebration of contemporary art, needs enthusiastic culture lovers to volunteer as ambassadors to help guide patrons and keep an eye on the artwork on the evening of Sept. 24. Apply online at http://wfp.to/oQQ by Sept. 17.
Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba needs a fundraising co-ordinator. Duties include helping to arrange fundraising events. The volunteer will be responsible for planning and executing one or two significant fundraising events in 12 months and one or two smaller fundraisers, working within the fundraising budget. Must produce an annual fundraising plan, create fundraising goals for the organization, establish connections with potential funders, and help hire volunteers and form a fundraising committee. To apply, email pvcoord@efsmanitoba.org by Sept. 20.
Local Investment Toward Employment (LITE) needs an in-office volunteer to help staff with administrative tasks, including reception, filing documents, photocopying, checking mail, data entry, envelope stuffing, and other tasks assigned during the busy fundraising season (LITE shop packing, communications and social-media support). Tasks to support programs, including non-administrative duties, might also be required. Being detail-oriented and organized, with good interpersonal skills and experience with Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Excel), is an asset, as is a career interest in administration or fundraising. To apply, email info@lite.mb.ca or apply online at http://wfp.to/oQS by Sept. 20.
Victoria Lifeline needs volunteer home service representatives to install and service Lifeline throughout the Winnipeg area. Volunteers meet clients in their homes in scheduled appointments and follow COVID-19 protocols. You must be available one day per week, and have a valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle. Expenses will be reimbursed monthly, and training is provided. Call 204-956-6773 or go to http://wfp.to/oQ0 by Sept. 30.
Thrive Thrift Shop is seeking a Kijiji account manager. The volunteer will post photos and descriptions of items for sale and respond to interested customers, and is preferably an avid thrifter. To apply, email thrivethriftshop@thrivewpg.com or phone 204-783-9281 by Oct. 15.
1JustCity is seeking volunteer housing mentors for all three sites. Mentors will work with guests to help them understand their housing needs and provide short-term support. This might include helping guests look for housing vacancies, printing out applications and referring to community resources. Email jawslead@1justcity.ca and housing@1justcity.ca or go to 1justcity.ca/volunteer to apply. The deadline is Sept. 30.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority needs bilingual support assistants. Volunteers will provide supportive assistance by assembling blank charts, filing, assisting with supply replenishment and helping with special projects related to files. Must be bilingual (English, French) and volunteer at least one four-hour shift per week — between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (times flexible) on a Monday, Thursday or Friday — for a minimum of three months. Previous experience in administrative support is preferred. Email smilotte@wrha.mb.ca or call 204-583-1469 before Sept. 15.
Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is recruiting skilled volunteers to help in its critical repair program, a new initiative that will help low-income homeowners complete essential repairs. These repairs will enable families to stay in their own homes. Candidates must commit on a part-time, flexible basis (weekdays only), for 7.5 hours on average. Send a brief cover letter and resumé to kkluger@habitat.mb.ca before Oct. 31.
Villa Rosa needs volunteers for its parent/child centre. If you love babies; are 19 or older; are experienced with infants; possess strength, an excellent sense of balance, mobility and endurance; and have the ability to play on the floor, this opportunity might be for you. Shifts are one half day per week, Monday to Friday, morning or afternoon, throughout the school year. Email volunteers@villarosa.mb.ca or apply online at villarosa.mb.ca by Dec. 1.
Siloam Mission is seeking groups of volunteers to help sort generous donations from Manitobans. There are stacks of bags and boxes that need going through. Bring your families, friends 0r colleagues. Volunteers, who won’t have any contact with clients, will help bring dignity to people who need clothing, personal hygiene and household items. Email volunteer@siloam.ca or apply online at siloam.ca/volunteer before Jan. 1.
The Canadian Red Cross is seeking volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to www.redcross.ca/volunteer, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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