Decades devoted to helping young mothers
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Eleanor McMillan believes everyone should have access to an education, which has led to a lifetime of professional work and community service related to teaching.
The 83-year-old Winnipegger says her parents instilled the importance of schooling in her.
“It was never preached. It was just there,” McMillan, whose father was a teacher and principal, says.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press VOLUNTEER Photo of Eleanor McMillan, founder of the Adolescent Parent Centre, outside the centre Wednesday. Eleanor McMillan ( 83). is the founder of the Adolescent Parent Centre, which provides academic courses for parenting and pregnant women through junior and senior high years. Eleanor currently chairs the centre's board of directors. This is for the Nov. 24 volunteers column. Story by Aaron Nov 19th,, 2025
“This is back when not all women were encouraged to go on (with school), but there was never a sense that I wouldn’t go on and get my education.”
Today, McMillan volunteers as chairperson with the Program for Adolescent Parents and Infant Development, a non-profit group that supports the Adolescent Parent Centre at 136 Cecil St.
The centre provides academic courses for parenting and pregnant girls through junior and senior high years. It is a program of the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre.
Students can remain at the centre until they turn 21 or their child reaches two years old. In addition to following Manitoba education curricula, students have access to parenting and nutrition courses.
McMillan taught at the centre for more than a decade until her retirement in 2001. She joined the non-profit shortly thereafter.
While the centre receives its primary funding from the Winnipeg School Division, the Program for Adolescent Parents and Infant Development raises funds for special initiatives such as field trips and bursaries for graduating students. Volunteers also help with events, such as the school’s annual Christmas dinner.
McMillan enjoys visiting the school where she spent the last years of her career.
“I still have a strong interest,” she says. “You meet some of our graduates along the way, and they’ll say, ‘If it weren’t for (the centre), I wouldn’t be where I am.’”
McMillan was instrumental in founding the program and the Adolescent Parent Centre.
The WSD started a school for pregnant girls in 1971, she says. By 1984, it was offering classes in Point Douglas for girls in grades 7 through 12. Girls could return to the school after the birth of their babies to complete unfinished courses and remain until their infant was four months old.
The idea was that students would then return to their regular schools and continue their education, but often they did not, McMillan says.
“I think if you don’t have an education, you don’t have much of a chance of getting ahead,” she says. “These young women were dropping out, and I thought we needed to accommodate them.”
McMillan was part of a group at St. Stephen’s-Broadway United Church that envisioned a school where adolescent parents could continue their education and learn parenting and life skills. They launched the Program for Adolescent Parents and Infant Development in the church’s basement in 1986.
The Point Douglas and PAPID programs were amalgamated and became the Adolescent Parent Centre in 1989.
McMillan once compiled a history of the centre, in which she wrote, “Times changed, staff changed and so the program went through different changes. However, the basic philosophy of the program, to provide a caring environment for both moms and babies, did remain.”
There are currently about 60 students at the school.
PAPID’s support is meaningful and McMillan is a passionate volunteer, says Ainslie Loria, vice-principal at the Winnipeg Adult Education Centre.
“Eleanor is lovely,” Loria says. “She is always very curious as to what’s happening, (and) she loves coming in and seeing the little ones running around… She’s amazing.”
In addition to her involvement with the non-profit, McMillan volunteers as the choir director at her church, Atlantic-Garden City United. Her husband, Cliff, is a retired minister. They have four children and nine grandchildren.
“My husband says my other volunteer work is I have everyone over for supper on Sundays,” McMillan says.
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.
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.
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 wfp.to/volunteers or call 204-477-5180. A blog post at wfp.to/iOu contains more information on how to spread kindness this holiday season.
The WRENCH (Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub) needs help for the 15th annual Cycle of Giving. Over the course of 24 hours starting on Dec. 6, volunteers will help prepare more than 400 kids’ bikes for distribution to community-serving organizations around Winnipeg. Email volunteer@thewrench.ca or call 204-296-3389 before Dec. 5.
The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada needs holiday ambassadors to do activities with young visitors. This is a good role for students ages 16 to 25 who want to put in volunteer hours over the holiday season, showing how the mini-musketeer and mini-helicopter operate. Volunteers must do a two-hour orientation session on Dec. 6 or Dec. 13 and commit to three shifts over the holiday period. Shifts are usually three hours. Apply at HR@royalaviationmuseum.com by Dec. 5.
The Manitoba Band Association needs ushers for the Holiday Tuba Festival. Volunteers are needed to guide participants and their guests from the lower level of the Centennial Concert Hall to the piano nobile level for their performances, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7. Apply online at wfp.to/iOL by Dec. 6.
Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba needs an appointed councillor, as mandated by the Engineering and Geoscientific Professions Act. The position requires residents of Manitoba who are not professional engineers or geoscientists to serve on the council, contributing to the governance of these professions. Appointed councillors are expected to engage in policy development, uphold the association’s code of ethics and ensure good governance through informed participation. Volunteers should have a realistic world view, the ability to see the big picture and a commitment to serving the public. The council meets eight times a year, with meetings held in the afternoons. Email NSun@EngGeoMB.ca by Jan. 30.
Apathy Is Boring needs people ages 18 to 30 for Winnipeg RISE. The program provides training, resources and funding to help youth in designing and leading a community project. No experience is required. Apply at wfp.to/imR by Nov. 30.
Extra Life Winnipeg needs a graphic designer/illustrator to craft visual identity and marketing materials for an upcoming fundraiser event. The successful applicant will create a cohesive brand (logo design, font selections) and additional collateral such as a slide deck and poster template. Apply at wfp.to/iOY by Dec. 15.
Zoo Lights is underway and runs through Jan. 1. The Assiniboine Park Conservancy relies on volunteers to help guests enjoy a magical experience. 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). Apply at wfp.to/iO4 no later than Dec. 20.
A & O: Support Services for Older Adults needs volunteers to provide companionship to older adults in the downtown, Seven Oaks, St. James, Elmwood and River East areas through its Connect program. Volunteers must enjoy conversation and have strong conversational and interpersonal skills. Must commit to at least an hour a week in the morning, afternoon or evening. Apply at wfp.to/iOv by Dec. 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 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.
The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba needs volunteers to help support the Minds in Motion program, which brings people living with dementia and their care partners together to enjoy gentle chair fitness, followed by activities and conversation. Email Tiana Alphonso at talphonso@alzheimer.mb.ca by Jan. 1.
Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency, a non-profit organization that facilitates contact between children and their parents when there has been evidence of interpersonal violence, needs visitation monitors. Volunteers supervise and document visits, intervening when necessary. Apply at wfp.to/iXs or volunteers@wcaa.ca by Jan. 31.
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.
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.
Advertisement Advertise With Us
Advertisement Advertise With Us