Oak Table sets a place for volunteers to be useful in their community
‘Everyone has the same common goal’
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/04/2025 (201 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Paula Moynihan says a pamphlet placed in her mailbox is responsible for how she’s spending part of her retirement.
It advertised ways to get involved at Oak Table, the Osborne Village drop-in centre operated by 1JustCity at Augustine United Church. The timing was fortuitous: Moynihan was wrapping up her career in social services and looking for somewhere to volunteer.
“It’s in my neighbourhood, and I just like working in my community and working with people, so I thought it would be a good fit for me,” she says.
Six years later, the 62-year-old serves lunch at Oak Table two or three times a week. She shows up at 10:30 a.m. to help with food prep, greet guests, serve them and help clean up afterward. She heads home by 2:30 p.m.
“The whole setting is just really positive and welcoming,” Moynihan says. “Everyone has the same common goal of just trying to be useful in their community.”
Founded in 2015, 1JustCity supports two drop-in centres in addition to Oak Table: Pimicikamak Wellness Centre at 621 Balmoral St. and West Broadway at 222 Furby St.
During the winter, the organization operates an overnight warming shelter called Just a Warm Sleep, at Oak Table.
The drop-in centres offer services, including daily meals, programs for seniors, laundry, showers, art, Indigenous programs and health support for people who are poor, homeless or those who struggle with mental health, addiction, isolation and hunger.
Everyone is accepted and cared for by 1JustCity.
That goal resonated with John Lu when a 1JustCity employee spoke at his church last October.
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.
Volunteer Manitoba needs people to join its board of directors. Members help guide the organization’s strategic direction, support its mission and make a meaningful impact on the non-profit sector. People with diverse backgrounds, experiences and skill sets are needed. Preference will be given to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous — or have experience working with Indigenous community members or organizations, experience in finance or accounting, a legal background or previous board experience. Successful candidates must prepare for and help with monthly board meetings and support additional committee work as required. For more information, or to apply, email executive director Ashley Seymour at ashley.seymour@volunteermanitoba.ca by April 30.
Youville Centre is seeking new board members to oversee the responsibilities delegated to the chair and executive director, and committees. Board members ensure financial stability, uphold compassionate values inspired by the Grey Nuns and strive to move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration. The board aligns policies with Youville’s strategic goals and meets bimonthly, requiring four to eight hours monthly. The centre wants to build a culturally diverse, inclusive and pluralistic board and welcomes candidates with finance, governance, marketing or technology experience. Email admin@youville.ca by April 15.
Families Forward, a parent-child coalition for the River Heights and Fort Rouge areas, is recruiting volunteers for a variety of duties to help provide meaningful services to families with young kids. Roles include setup and cleanup at playgroups, transporting equipment, helping with community events and joining coalition membership. Ideal candidates are organized, flexible, team-oriented and enjoy working with children. Fluent English is required, while additional languages are a plus. Access to a vehicle is beneficial but not mandatory. Kids@Play sessions are held Tuesdays through Thursdays, with volunteer hours from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Community events might occur on weekends, and board participation requires a few hours every few months on weekdays. Email ffadmin@swfic.org by June 1.
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue needs an adoption events co-ordinator who is passionate about planning events and helping dogs find loving homes. The volunteer will lead adoption events and make sure the dogs get the spotlight they deserve. While the role is primarily remote, the co-ordinator is welcome to attend events to connect with adoption partners and other volunteers. Apply at wfp.to/WFf by Aug. 1.
Golden Links Lodge needs a companion volunteer to meet with a resident who speaks only Italian. This is an independent volunteer opportunity, and the volunteer will not be helped by an employee during the visits. The volunteer must speak Italian fluently, be able to engage the resident in a thoughtful and meaningful way, and be comfortable working in a personal care home. Apply at gllbusinessoffice@goldenlinks.mb.ca or 204-257-9947, ext. 228, by Oct. 30.
Shelter Movers — a national charity providing free moving and storage services to people and families fleeing abuse — needs movers and drivers. Movers must be 18 or older, and drivers must be 21 or older. Email volunteer.winnipeg@sheltermovers.com by April 30.
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra needs people from diverse backgrounds with experience in human resources, information technology, accounting, sponsorships, social media or fundraising to join its board of directors. Volunteers must be passionate about the arts, willing to learn and share ideas, strong communicators and eager to participate. Send a brief letter describing your background and/or a resumé, and state why you would like to join the board, to manager@winnipegjazzorchestra.com by April 30.
Heritage Winnipeg needs ambassadors and tour guides for Doors Open Winnipeg. Volunteer shifts take place throughout the city between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 24 and May 25 and are usually three to four hours in length. Ambassadors greet visitors, maintain a visitor count and help distribute information. Tour guides must be outgoing, familiar with the building’s history (provided) and comfortable speaking with the public. Apply at wfp.to/WnI or 204-942-2663 by May 20.
Folklorama is seeking tour guides. Outgoing people who enjoy interacting with groups and have some experience with Folklorama, either from attending or volunteer experience, are needed. The guides host bus tours from around Winnipeg, Manitoba and North America as they travel to pavilions. Training sessions in June will give volunteers the opportunity to learn about Folklorama’s policies and procedures, learn how to host groups, and meet other guides. Apply online at wfp.to/WMK by June 1.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
Hearing Josh Ward speak about the work staff and volunteers at Pimicikamak Wellness Centre do with members of Winnipeg’s Indigenous community struck a chord with Lu, who is a reporter for TSN.
The 60-year-old Fort Richmond resident started volunteering in December.
“I’d been wanting to do volunteer work, but something hands-on — particularly with the Indigenous community,” Lu says. “Growing up here, having friends who are Indigenous and seeing the plight of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, I’ve always felt an attachment to that community and wanted to do something to help.
“As a person of faith, we are called to serve and show compassion… So those were all motivations to get me involved.”
Lu and his wife often volunteer together serving meals. They look forward to it.
He says visiting with guests is the most gratifying part.
“There are people that come in who want to be heard, they want to be seen, they want to be treated with dignity,” he says. “That’s been a common experience since I started volunteering there.”
1JustCity is looking for additional volunteers to support its drop-in programs. Visit 1justcity.ca/volunteer to apply.
It feels good to participate in the community, Moynihan says.
“It’s just important to be part of where you live, part of your neighbourhood. I think that can cut down on the level of anxiety people feel living in a big city,” she says. “When you participate in your city, I think it can help change that.”
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. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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