Fifty years of putting kids first
Rossbrook House volunteer cherishes years teaching youth
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Leslie Galloway has believed the old adage “children are the future” for 50 years.
“Children are just so important,” she said. “We need to take really good care of them.”
Galloway retired in June after volunteering on the board of Rossbrook House, at 658 Ross Ave., since it was founded in 1976.
She started at the drop-in community centre for youth when co-founder Sister Geraldine MacNamara asked her to join the board. Once she became a part of the organization, she was hooked.
“It just seems that time went on and I continued to feel that being on the board and being on the committees was important for the organization from a continuity perspective,” she said.
She had graduated from the University of Manitoba and worked for the Victorian Order of Nurses. She was there for three years before she decided she wanted to move to a more acute care environment. A spot opened at the Children’s Hospital on William Avenue and she stayed working with kids. She stayed for 40 years.
“I was just so grateful to go there,” she said.
Galloway learned a lot about children while working at the hospital, mostly from her mentor, Dr. Charlie Ferguson, who was the child protection director at the time.
“He said to me once, ‘Children are our most important non-renewable resource.’ For me that was very important and telling and I think that’s how I view children as really, we need to nurture them and we need to love them unconditionally,” she said.
She’s grateful to have been able to serve Rossbrook House for so long and watch its progression.
Since Galloway started, meal programs for kids, a basketball team and the young mom’s program are just a few of the many new opportunities they’ve implemented.
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.
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.
The Manitoba Writers’ Guild seeks enthusiastic volunteers to act as treasurer and bookkeeper to help manage the guild’s financial operations. Accounting or bookkeeper experience required while QuickBooks Online and non-profit experience are assets. Orientation and training are provided. Interested candidates are invited to support the writing community by applying to MWGchair@gmail.com by Aug. 30.
The Manitoba Genealogical Society is looking for volunteer family history researchers to help with research requests and support their genealogy community. A volunteer genealogical researcher locates records across archives, databases and public documents, critically evaluates source reliability, maintains organized research logs and presents findings clearly as family trees, reports or narratives. Apply by email at volunteer-recruitment@mbgenealogy.com. Deadline is Aug. 21.
Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games is looking for event volunteers! Over 2,000 Indigenous athletes, coaches, and officials will gather at Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation, on Treaty 1 Territory, Aug. 16 to 22, to celebrate the spirit of competition. Volunteers will assist with overall Games operations for various roles such as: registration/venue hosts, food services, cultural/elder services, security/access control, medical/first aid, special events/entertainment, transportation, accommodations, merchandise sales, sport and venue volunteers and more! Apply online: http://wfp.to/iRY. Deadline is Aug. 10.
Theatre Projects Manitoba is currently seeking passionate, self-motivated members with experience in finance, board governance and marketing; but they encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. Board members are expected to attend meetings, review financial reports, participate in strategic planning and maintain confidentiality. They play an active role in fundraising, community engagement and enhancing TPM’s public image. Board meetings are held every one to two months and typically last one hour, with flexible scheduling and remote volunteering options available. Apply by email: board@theatreprojectsmanitoba.ca. Deadline is Oct. 1.
Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue is seeking volunteers to serve as vetting assistants. In this shared role, volunteers act as the primary point of contact for fosters, vet clinics and recent adopters regarding medical questions and concerns. They maintain accurate health records, book medical appointments with partnering vet clinics, follow up on treatment plans and compile exam notes. Applicants should have professional communication skills, some knowledge of animal health and proficiency with computers and online databases. The position requires approximately 15 to 20 hours per week, with daytime, evening, and weekend availability. Apply by email: recruit@manitobamutts.org. Deadline is Aug. 30.
The Manitoba Fibre Festival is looking for volunteers to help with setup, greeting guests and supporting vendors and workshops at Red River Exhibition Hall from Sept. 10-12. Head to http://wfp.to/iMy and fill out the short online form to apply. Deadline is Sept. 1.
The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is seeking a BrainWave committee member for community outreach. This volunteer role involves securing event sponsors, negotiating with vendors, developing sponsorship proposals and maintaining relationships with community partners. The position requires five to seven hours per month on a flexible schedule as part of a two-year term. Candidates should have one to three years of experience in event coordination or fundraising. Apply online: http://wfp.to/iM6. Deadline is Aug. 30.
The Manitoba Down Syndrome Society seeks volunteers for the Walk With Us 2026 event on Sept. 20. Volunteers will assist with hosting more than 400 attendees by filling various roles, such as setting up the event space, serving lunch, managing registration, maintaining the site, organizing raffles, entertaining children and cleaning up afterwards. No specific experience is required, just enthusiasm and a desire to contribute. For ages 16-plus. Apply online: wfp.to/iMS. Deadline is Sept. 13.
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“Back in the early days of Rossbrook, even getting programming for young women, exercise programs — I mean we’ve come so far with all of that, it’s just quite amazing,” she said.
She said one of her favourite things is that Rossbrook House has been able to work with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to provide health classes.
She said the Learning Always Program, which is an educational club for children, is another important initiative.
The team has worked hard to advance truth and reconciliation and two years ago, it hired an Indigenous community co-ordinator to teach kids about Indigenous history and culture.
“Children are learning other cultures and their history and that to me, is incredibly important,” said Galloway.
Rossbrook House celebrated 50 years on Jan. 20, where the focus was to highlight several kids participating in the music program. They were also celebrated at the No Child Alone gala in April.
“It was terrific to see,” said Gallaway.
She said it’s been great to see everyone involved at Rossbrook House make these kinds of events and programs happen for youth. She hopes they’re able to get more funding to provide continued support to children.
Though she has retired from the board of directors, Galloway said she will continue to volunteer with the Learning Always Program.
tiago.resko@freepress.mb.ca