Maintaining relationships with retired teachers
Women's group motivated to give back
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/09/2015 (3836 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
With the start of a new school year, teachers are front and centre in the minds of many people. A local organization is working to ensure retired teachers are remembered at this time and throughout the rest of the year, too.
The Retired Women Teachers’ Association (RWTA) is a voice for retired female teachers across Manitoba.
As a chapter of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba, the organization plans quarterly luncheons so members can maintain social relationships with one another.
The RWTA has more than 350 members, a portion of whom can no longer attend events due to age. To make sure they aren’t forgotten, the RWTA has a team of volunteers that visits these members a few times each year.
Ruth Hartnell, the RWTA’s president, says it’s a small gesture, but one that is meaningful for everyone involved — particularly around Christmas time.
“You just drop in and you have a little visit and you give them a gift,” Hartnell said. “It’s a very enjoyable experience.”
Over the years, the RWTA has extended the care it gives its members to the wider community through a variety of volunteer initiatives.
Every February, the organization collects food for Winnipeg Harvest.
Another initiative the RWTA runs involves assembling care packages that include toiletries and other personal care items for women in shelters. The RTWA has provided 45 packages to 15 shelters over the last four years.
The RWTA also collects used eyeglasses from its members. These glasses are donated to an organization that hands them out in developing nations. Since 2011, the RWTA has collected and donated 700 pairs.
Cécile Alarie-Skene, the RWTA’s vice-president and membership convenor, says she and her colleagues are motivated to give back by their experiences in the classroom.
“We know that children are coming to school hungry, so (collecting donations for Winnipeg Harvest) is one thing we can focus on once a year to do good,” Alarie-Skene said. “And we know there are children in shelters with their mothers, and there never is extra money for personal care items, so this is a way we can help out.”
Hartnell recalls working as a teacher many years ago and discovering how many children were coming to school undernourished.
“We’re doing this to make sure kids have a good opportunity to learn,” she said.
Next year marks the RWTA’s 65th anniversary. Plans are underway to celebrate the milestone with an event in the spring.
Hartnell enjoys being involved with the organization because it allows her to see former colleagues on a regular basis.
“For me, it’s (about) reconnecting with people I worked with either in school or on committees,” she said. “It’s the only time I see them socially. It’s about renewing old acquaintances and hopefully making new friends.”
Alarie-Skene believes volunteering will be a part of the RWTA for many years to come.
“It’s important that everyone’s involved in the community, and not just retired teachers,” she said. “The community as a whole needs looking after.”
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
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.
Volunteers needed
THE following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations, but we can assist you in finding a volunteer opportunity. To learn more about our programs and services, please visit www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network seeking ESL classroom volunteers at our downtown (morning or afternoon), River Heights (morning only), Fort Garry (morning or afternoon) and Fort Richmond (morning only) sites. All volunteer shifts are 2 hours. Most students are women; many are refugees. Current Criminal Record Check is required. Complete volunteer application: www.mosaicnet.ca, and email it to Barbara bcoombs@mosaicnet.ca.
Aurora Family Therapy Centre seeking people from divrse professional backgrounds to join our Board of Directors. Information: d.radi@uwinnipeg.ca, Aurora Family Therapy Centre, 515 Portage Ave., Wpg. MB, R3B 2E9 or fax 204-772-2547 by Sept. 30.
Marlene Street Resource Centre needs volunteers to help run several drop-in, after school programs for children ages 7 to 12 at the Centre, 3:30-5 p.m. Programs include Homework Club, Monday, Arts and Crafts, Tuesday, Kids in the Kitchen, Wednesday, Boys Club, Thursday. Information or apply msyouth@shaw.ca or 204-253-8994.
Westman Immigrant Services in Brandon has the following volunteer opportunities: After School Program Assistant to provide academic and social support for immigrant youth weekdays between 3:30-5:30 p.m. English Language Classroom Assistant for the teacher. Volunteer to Care for Newcomer Children Program Assistant (Child Minding) to pair-up with support worker to deliver enriching and fun children’s activities in Kid’s Corner. Information or to apply www.westmanimmigrantservices.ca/volunteer.html.
Frontier College is in need of volunteers for the following: Elmwood area tutor/mentor/orreading buddy for Grade 1-8 for Literacy Programs, reading circles or homework clubs. Also, organizational team leaders required for programs, circles & clubs. After school French speaking homework tutor required for math, reading writing in French. Reading circle volunteer tutor at Flora House. Information or apply kstemarie@frontiercollege.ca, 204-253-7993 or in person to 255 Tache Ave.
Spence Neighbourhood Association require Homework Club Program Volunteers to assist children and youth with their school homework and help teach them in areas of their education they are having struggles in. Assist homework club coordinator with preparations and Staff with management and maintenance. Information or apply youth@spenceneighbourhood.org, 204-783-5000, or in person to 615 Ellice Ave.
Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (N.E.E.D.S.) Inc. require volunteer as classroom assistant for their intro program to assist instructor to deliver curriculum, help supervise, and aid with EAL and life-skills program to help newcomer youth settle into Canadian society. They also need youth program activity assistant volunteers for their youth after-school program to help supervise, tutor students with homework and assist with other activities. Information or apply volunteers@needsinc.ca or 204-940-1279.
Looking for volunteers for a great fundraiser for the Circle Square Ranch in Austin, Manitoba, being held, Nov. 20. Volunteers are needed for raffle ticket sales for the home opener of The University of Winnipeg Wesmen Men’s and Women’s basketball season. Proceeds from the sale of raffle and 50/50 will go directly to the Circle Square Camp. Information: michaeldavidchin@gmail.com or 204-218-5282.
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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