Difficult situations, moving experiences
Winnipeggers eager to help organization get abused women, children and their belongings to a safe place
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/07/2025 (242 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
As a volunteer recruiter, Tyler Omichinski has found that Winnipeggers are eager to pitch in.
Omichinski is the operations manager for the local chapter of Shelter Movers, a national charitable organization that provides moving and storage services at no cost to individuals and families fleeing abuse.
More than 70 Winnipeggers have signed up to volunteer with the chapter since it was established last summer. That response is impressive, Omichinski says.
“I’ve been kind of blown away (by) how much that delightful stereotype of us in Winnipeg being people who volunteer (and) people who give to charity holds true,” he says. “We’ve had a relatively easy time finding folks to help out, which has been fantastic.”
Shelley Madden is one of those people.
The Charleswood resident has a long history of giving her time to organizations that serve marginalized people. She discovered Shelter Movers late last summer, shortly after giving a list of resources to a woman who was fleeing an abusive situation.
“‘This is stellar, this is absolutely amazing. This is the kind of resource that was missing when I gave those referrals to that woman,’” Madden recalls thinking after she learned about the organization on Volunteer Manitoba’s website.
The 56-year-old educational assistant was looking for somewhere to volunteer and so she applied immediately.
Since then, she’s served as an online orientation facilitator, training volunteers on the organization’s protocols and how they can take a trauma-informed approach to their work. More recently, she’s volunteered as a mover.
Shelter Movers collaborates with local businesses and community services who refer clients — primarily women and their children — who have decided to leave an abuser and have a safer place to go.
Movers and drivers are the backbone of the organization. Working in groups of two to seven people, and guided by a detailed itinerary, volunteers load the clients’ belongings into a vehicle and transport them and their items to a predetermined location.
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.
The Ecuadorian Association of Manitoba needs volunteers who speak Spanish or are passionate about the culture to help with events. The position is an opportunity to gain experience in event management. People are welcome to apply at any time, but to participate in events this summer and fall, they should apply at volunteer@ecuamanitoba.ca or wfp.to/il4 in July and August.
SuperWalk is Parkinson Canada’s largest annual fundraiser, helping the organization provide support and advocacy, and funding research for people living with and impacted by the disease. Event-day volunteers are needed. Roles include event setup and takedown, registration, greeting, food services, entertainment support, checkpoint stations and cheering on walkers. Events are taking place across Canada — including in Winnipeg — on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7. The time commitment varies. Volunteers will be contacted before the event to confirm their shift time, role and event details. Apply online at wfp.to/ilB by Sept. 5.
Canada’s largest volunteer-led event for breast cancer — the CIBC Run for the Cure, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society — returns Oct. 5. Volunteers are needed to help plan and lead events across the country. To explore available positions, go to wfp.to/ilw. The application deadline is the day of the event.
Victoria Lifeline needs home service volunteers to travel to clients’ homes and work directly with subscribers and caregivers to install, support and explain Lifeline. Volunteers should have demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. English is required; additional languages are an asset. A driver’s licence and vehicle are required. Must be able to work independently. Shifts are available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. A minimum of one four-hour shift weekly is required. Apply at wfp.to/ilr by Dec. 30.
Com-Span needs someone with experience in basic repairs and general handiwork to help with odd jobs around the building. The work includes minor repairs, installing shelves, repairing and replacing damaged items and minor paint touch-ups. Shifts will work around the person’s availability. A criminal record check is required, with the costs reimbursed. Email admin@comspan.org by Dec. 31.
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba needs a public representative to fill a vacancy on the finance committee for a term starting in October. The committee is responsible for making recommendations on financial policies, financial conditions and the annual audit to the council. More information is available at wfp.to/iTC. Send a resumé and cover letter to appointments@crnm.mb.ca by Aug. 8.
Mount Carmel Clinic needs volunteers for community programming support. Roles include setting up and cleaning programming spaces, organizing the refreshments area, greeting community members and providing event information. Volunteers help staff members with group activities and distribution of materials. Volunteers should be 16 or older and open to working from a place of non-judgment, open-mindedness and respect for people of all backgrounds and identities. The time commitment is two shifts monthly, and there is an orientation of approximately three hours. Shifts are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Background checks are required, with costs reimbursed. Email volunteer@mountcarmel.ca by Aug. 31.
The Canadian Red Cross Society needs volunteers in Manitoba for programs such as Smart Start and Disaster Risk Reduction. These roles involve leading sessions on climate change and emergency preparedness, and require effective communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Volunteers might also join the emergency responder and personal disaster assistance teams to help during disasters. Training and background checks are mandatory. This opportunity offers experience in public speaking and crisis management. Send a resumé to SmartStart@RedCross.ca by Dec. 31.
Villa Cabrini needs someone with creative skills to make posters for various events. The necessary information for the projects will be provided each month. The role does not include printing responsibilities; completed files can be emailed. Volunteers must have computer and design skills and be 16 or older. The role involves flexible hours and can be done remotely. Apply at vcabrini@mymts.net by Jan. 1.
Police or security personnel and language interpreters may also be present for the move to ensure the process is as safe and efficient as possible.
“You’re helping someone get out of a very difficult situation,” Madden says, adding that it’s rewarding work. “The amount of gratitude and graciousness that comes from the women (is) just humbling.”
Paul Diouf agrees. Diouf arrived in Winnipeg from Dakar, Senegal, last August to study business administration at Saint-Boniface University. He started volunteering as a mover last December so that he could get to know the city. He has since been trained as a driver.
Diouf recalls one particular shift when a woman gathered her children after the move so that they could all thank the volunteers.
“It was kind of awesome — it gave me chills,” says Diouf, 27. “To me it (indicated that I) did something really important… I’ll never forget that.”
While Omichinski is pleased with the number of people who volunteer with Shelter Movers, he says the organization could always use more help.
The duration of each move varies, with an average length of about four hours. Volunteers receive training and can sign up for moves according to their availability.
To get involved, apply online at sheltermovers.com/volunteer or email volunteer@sheltermovers.com.
“We’ve (done) 35 moves already and we’re really getting our feet under us locally (so) that number’s going to keep growing drastically,” Omichinski says.
Shelter Movers operates in 10 centres across Canada and relies on more than 1,000 volunteers, per its website. Since 2016, the organization has completed more than 8,500 moves.
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.
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