Sponsored Content
Rossbrook House gave me a second chance at life!

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/12/2023 (705 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rossbrook House, an inner-city drop-in centre in Winnipeg, has been making a difference in the lives of children and youth since 1976. Many have shared their experiences growing up at Rossbrook House, saying ‘I wouldn’t be here today’ or ‘Rossbrook House saved my life’.

Chantel is a former participant who learned about Rossbrook House from her older brother when she was very young. Chantel says that she and her siblings sometimes went without meals and parental supervision at home. They began dropping in to Rossbrook House every day after school and on weekends to have meals, take part in programs and go on outings.

“Rossbrook House gave me a second chance at life. For my siblings and me, Rossbrook House was a safe place to go after school and on weekends. We had meals and fun activities,” said Chantel. “My childhood was not the greatest, but every day that I walked through those doors, I felt at home.”

One of the programs that Rossbrook House hosts is the LET Youth program, also known as Junior Staff. LET provides a first job to youth who are regular participants. Chantel took advantage of that program; it gave her an income while she attended school.

“Growing up in the neighborhood was very tough, with a lot of gangs, crime, and poverty. Rossbrook House helped me to feel like a regular kid,” she said.

For some, Rossbrook House can simply be a place to hang out and have a meal. While others will become regulars who take part in several programs and activities. The variety includes drop-in music lessons, the Young Mothers’ program, Learning Always, sports, leadership, and cultural programs, plus a variety of fun activities like competitions, playing pool, and going to summer camp.

“My favourite thing was the Summer and Winter Games, and, of course, going to Camp Maskwa.” Chantel, like others in the Rossbrook House community, received support through scholarships and other programs. This support helped her become who she is today.

“I am proud of who I am. I manage the Indigenous Cultural Department at Marymound, teaching Indigenous culture and am a mother of four happy children. My two eldest children attend Rossbrook House. I feel blessed they get to experience what I had growing up. I don’t have to worry as I know they are in good hands and will get home safely at the end of each day,” noted Chantel.

Rossbrook House is open 365 days of the year and 24 hours on weekends. This includes all school holidays — including summer and winter breaks. Those ranging  in age from 6 to 24 years old, can enjoy daily meals, fun programs and a safe environment. Participants are driven home each evening.

Please consider donating to Rossbrook House today. Your support will help ensure Chantel’s children, and their peers, continue to have a safe place to belong, play, learn and become… A place filled with laughter, warm meals, fun activities and programs, and safe rides home.

Donating is easy to do. Just go to this link: https://rossbrookhouse.ca/dec-2023/

Learn more Rossbrook House at rossbrookhouse.ca or call the Rossbrook House Foundation at 204.949.4092