MMF breaks ground on housing complex for youth aging out of CFS

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This article was published 05/10/2023 (1073 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg housing complex for Métis youth leaving the child welfare system has moved a step closer to completion.

The Manitoba Métis Federation’s Mazoun Infinity House of Hope will have 10 bedrooms for young people aging out of Métis Child, Family and Community Services across two buildings at 292 and 298 Edison Ave.

The existing properties at these locations have been demolished and the MMF held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the construction of the new housing project Thursday.

While those aging out of the child welfare system often find themselves suddenly without support services, this housing will serve as both shelter and a resource building tool until its residents feel ready to strike out on their own, MMF said.

Residents will be welcome to stay well into their 20s, when the staff at Mazoun will work with them to map out future education and career goals before they leave, officials said.

Even then, there will be two emergency suites set aside for people formerly part of the child welfare system who have since fallen on hard times.

“Youth may return if they find themselves homeless, in need of help or just for a cup of coffee and company,” said Mona Buors, MMF minister of Métis child and family services.

“This will be their home, they can always come back if they want to, and especially when they’re in need, they find themselves homeless for some reason, again, they know where to come now.”

The project will also provide therapeutic support, life skill education, and temporary housing for families working toward reunification of caregivers and kids in care.

It’s set to be a $9-million project, including a $5.8-million investment from the City of Winnipeg’s rapid housing initiative and $2.9 million from the federal government’s Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative.

“As we know, in this day and age, there’s supply issues and we’re working within them to make it as efficient as possible,” said Will Goodon, MMF minister of housing and property management, who noted the project is “very close” to being fully funded.

In 2019, Canada ushered in Bill C-92, which allows Indigenous communities to hold jurisdiction over child and family services for their people. Under this, the Red River Métis government changed the age youth transition out of care to 21 (from 18) and later to 24.

There’s more work to be done to ensure MMF can provide full wraparound services for youth in care, including preventative action to keep kids with families, MMF president David Chartrand said Thursday.

“One day, a premier may come out of (Mazoun). One day, a doctor may come out of here, saving lives,” Chartrand said. “Because that child will finally have hope, and that child will have a dream, because they’ll have the backup of the system.”

Construction is set to finish in August 2024.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca