Committed to promoting dignity for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
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This article was published 18/11/2024 (623 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Shannon Foster’s volunteer work stems from her vocation as a registered social worker.
“I think it’s just an integral part of being a social worker — having some sort of volunteer work in areas that you’re passionate about,” she says.
One of Foster’s long-standing community involvements is with the Manitoba FASD Coalition, a provincewide network of individuals and organizations committed to supporting prevention, education, research and intervention activities in the area of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
The 37-year-old St. Andrews resident started volunteering with the coalition in 2014 and now serves as a board member.
“I’ve always been attracted to the fact that it’s a group of like-minded individuals who are passionate about something I’m passionate about,” she says.
Foster is a founder and clinical director at Red River North Counselling and Therapy Services, which has offices in Selkirk and Winnipeg.
“I always knew I would do something that worked within the community and alongside individuals,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to see the growth that people can achieve and be a part of that, even in a small way.”
Foster began working in the area of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder after university when she got a job with InSight, an outreach program where mentors provide intensive support to people who are pregnant or have recently had a baby and use substances.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Check out Volunteer Manitoba’s blog post for opportunities to get involved and give back by volunteering at a non-profit organization this holiday season. Check it out at wfp.to/AqQ.
Operation Red Nose needs friendly team members for driving and headquarter roles to help keep impaired drivers off the road during the holidays. Co-ordinated by Safety Services Manitoba, the campaign will be operating in nine communities. Volunteers work in teams of three to provide safe rides, while HQ volunteers handle registration, team formation and dispatch. Apply online at wfp.to/Aq0.
Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre needs people to help with holiday photos with owls. Volunteers can help with setup and take photos for guests. No experience is needed, and direction will be provided. People are welcome to apply individually or in pairs. The events are at St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre (2901 St Mary’s Rd.) this Sunday and on Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Julia with any questions, or to apply, at pwrcwilded@gmail.com or 204-806-8890. The deadline is Wednesday.
Volunteer opportunities are available during the 39th annual Christkindlmarkt (German Christmas Market) at Fort Garry Place mall from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. Roles include setup and take-down, kitchen helpers to serve hot food, and staffing donation and chocolate tables as well as the café. Apply at ckm@gccmb.ca by Dec. 2.
Winnipeg Crime Stoppers needs a person (or group) who can prepare and deliver a 30-minute performance as a special guest for its holiday dinner party at Glendale Golf & Country Club on Dec. 11. Volunteer performers are welcome to join the dinner as a guest at 7 p.m., with their performance set to begin at about 8:15 p.m. There will be about 50 guests at the invitation-only event. Members of the Crime Stoppers board, their spouses, volunteers, major sponsors and political leaders will be there. Email info@winnipegcrimestoppers.org by Dec. 4.
The Salvation Army’s Toy Mountain provides qualifying families with children up to age 12 with Christmas gifts to make the season merry. Volunteers are needed for three-hour shifts, weekdays from Dec. 11 to Dec. 21 and on Dec. 14, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Duties might include answering phones, sorting donations, escorting families through the toy store and packing up at the end of the event. Apply at weetamahchristmas@salvationarmy.ca by Dec. 9.
The Dream Factory’s Santa Suite needs people to help with family photos. It’s happening at Santa’s Village in the lobby of the Fairmont Winnipeg. Help is needed greeting guests, setting up and managing supplies for festive activities (crafts, cookie decorating, letters to Santa) and checking families in for their holiday photos. The Santa Suite runs every weekend until Dec. 22. Ten volunteers are needed for each shift, so people are welcome to apply as groups. Morning (9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), afternoon (12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and full-day (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) shifts are available. Volunteers working a full-day shift will be provided lunch. Apply at wfp.to/AqN by Dec. 20.
Zoo Lights runs from this Friday until Jan. 5. The Assiniboine Park Conservancy relies on volunteers to help guests enjoy a magical experience on each visit to the unique winter festival. Volunteers keep guests informed, safe and comfortable. They will enjoy a number of benefits, including free zoo tickets, Zoo Lights branded gear, snacks and hot chocolate. The more people volunteer, the greater the rewards. There are a variety of positions available. Must be 18 or older, and comfortable spending four to five hours outdoors (with breaks) surrounded by crowds of happy guests and bright lights. Apply at wfp.to/Aq6 by Dec. 22.
“The work grabbed onto me,” she says. “It defined the trajectory of my career, to be honest.”
The Manitoba FASD Coalition provides resources and organizes public events to educate and provide support.
Seeing the impact the coalition has had over the last decade has been meaningful for Foster.
In 2014, the coalition launched a dignity promotion project called Looking After Each Other.
The project produced an FASD language guide that suggests dignity-promoting alternatives to common stigma-inducing words used to discuss people with FASD and women who use alcohol during pregnancy.
The project also produced a series of mini documentaries that showcase how communities, services, systems and other initiatives can support the success of those impacted by FASD and women who have used alcohol during pregnancy.
Foster believes that Looking After Each Other has created meaningful change in the province and beyond, and contributed to a change in the general public’s perception of FASD.
“When we interview the general public… you start to see more knowledge and understanding of what FASD is,” she says. “Ten years ago, a lot of people didn’t know what it was. I think we’re coming along.”
People with FASD want the same things as everyone else and deserve the opportunities to achieve the same things as everyone else, Foster says.
“They have families, they have kids, they have jobs, they have happy moments, they have sad moments and they have the rights to all of those,” she says.
“I think we need to treat people with more dignity. I think I want for them to have the same experience going through life as someone who doesn’t have FASD.”
To learn more about the coalition and how you can get involved, visit fasdcoalition.ca.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
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.
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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