Down syndrome society offers support
Organization volunteers aim to help families travelling 'the same road'
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/04/2019 (2613 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Kris Yunker wasn’t looking to volunteer. Volunteering found her.
Yunker’s son, Taylor, was diagnosed with Down syndrome when he was born in 2014. The Manitoba Down Syndrome Society reached out to Yunker and her partner, so they began attending society events.
The organization provides support and information for individuals with Down syndrome, parents, professionals and other interested persons. It organizes a number of events each year, including a dinner and dance, an educational conference, hockey games and a fundraising walk.
“I took part in the community and I found I wanted to be a bigger part of the Down syndrome society,” says Yunker, a constable with the Winnipeg Police Service. “I was wanting to actually contribute.”
Two years ago, Yunker joined the society’s board of directors. Since then, she has taken over organizing its Baby Love events, which are held each spring and fall. They are informal gatherings for families with young children who were born with Down syndrome.
Yunker enjoys meeting new families.
“I just want them to feel supported on their journey with Down syndrome,” she says. “It’s very rewarding to be that support for the people who are going to travel the same road we did.”
Val Surbey knows first-hand what it’s like to receive that support. Surbey helped found the society in early 1991, about a year after she and her husband adopted their son, Tim, who was born with Down syndrome.
“At that time, there wasn’t anything in terms of support for families,” says Surbey, who works as an educational assistant. “We’ve met other families of individuals with Down syndrome, and it’s through them that we’ve made some really close friends. I really enjoy their company.”
Surbey has volunteered in a number of capacities over the years. She currently serves as president of the board of directors, a role that gives her something to do “pretty well every day.”
As much as she has given, Surbey also receives a lot of support as a result of her involvement with the society.
She recalls that when Tim was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013, his treatment prevented the family from attending the annual fundraising walk.
During an announcement at the beginning of the walk, the society dedicated the day to Tim. Thanks to smartphones and live streaming technology, the Surbeys were able to watch the dedication from Tim’s hospital room.
“That was really emotional,” Surbey recalls. “I think that was probably one of the most emotional times that I had with Tim and the Down syndrome society.”
Yunker says being involved with the Down syndrome society has helped her see the possibilities for Taylor, who she describes as “the light of our life.”
“He’s filled our hearts completely, and everyone who knows him falls in love with him,” Yunker says. “He’s going to change the world, just by being here, in a positive way. He already has.”
The society is looking for more volunteers, specifically social club support staff who can engage youth and young adults with Down syndrome. Anyone interested can apply by emailing brandy@manitobadownsyndromesociety.com.
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.
Volunteer Opportunities
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 can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Shameless Circle, a healing circle for women who lack a sense of community, is seeking an event co-ordinator. Duties include social media engagement and event-registration management. The healing circle provides free programs and services for women to give them a sense of community. For more information, go to facebook.com/shamelesscircle or email Sara Usman at shamelesscircle@gmail.com.
Triathlon Manitoba needs volunteers for the Patrick Riddell April run series, a fundraiser for the Triathlon Manitoba Centre. This race is recognized as part of the Manitoba Runners’ Association classic run series and will be held on April 14 and 21. Various roles are required, including road marshals and staffing water stations. For more information, email triathlon@spotmanitoba.ca.
Save Our Seine Environment Inc. is seeking dynamic and energetic individuals interested in serving on its board and making a difference in their community. New directors will be voted on at the annual general meeting on April 16. Submit your contact information at surveymonkey.com/r/SOSBoard.
The annual Steps for Life walk is being held at Kildonan Park on May 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The walk raises money to help families living in the aftermath of a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease. Volunteer positions include setup, take-down, directing traffic, registration and helping with children activities. All proceeds go to Threads of Life family support programs and services If you are interested, email Djamal Stadnyk at djamals@graham.ca to complete your application form.
The MS Walk is one of the cornerstone fundraising events for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. More than 1,500 people will gather at The Forks on May 5 to raise funds to find a cure for the disease. Please go to mswalks.ca (Winnipeg walk) to learn more and to register, or contact Jordie Moryl at jordie.moryl@mssociety.ca or 204-943-9595.
Grab your laces and step forward to help support the Breast Cancer Society of Canada by making its annual Mother’s Day Walk a success. Go to mothersdaywalk.ca to learn more, or sign up at kindnessconnect.com/bcsc.
The Pride Winnipeg Festival celebrates diversity and safe spaces in our communities. The festival is only successful with the support of the many volunteers who donate their time and energy every year. Interested in volunteering? Go to pridewinnipeg.com or email hr@pridewinnipeg.com.
Jazz Winnipeg is accepting applications for the 30th TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, happening June 18-23. With more than 300 dedicated volunteers, the festival fosters an environment for professional development opportunities and community building. For more information, email Alexa Potashnik at alexa@jazzwinnipeg.com.
St-Labre 200 is an annual fundraiser near Steinbach. The event features a variety of activities and a go-kart race. If you enjoy the outdoors, adrenalin, a family atmosphere, giving back to the community and a bit of dust, your help is needed. A variety of volunteer positions need to be filled. To find out how you can volunteer on July 5 and 6, go to stlabre200.ca/wp/volunteer or call 1-204-429-3241.
The United Mentoring Network is seeking volunteer youth mentors for new and existing programs. The network’s navigator will help you find the perfect fit based on your time availability, interests and experience with youth. Go to winnipegmentors.ca to inquire through the website, or call 204-560-0489. There is wide range of site-based, group, one-on-one, short-term and long-term options.
Youth Employment Services (YES Manitoba Inc.), which provides free employment services to people ages 16-29, is seeking volunteers to serve on its board of directors. The board is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of YES, developing its strategic plans and helping set goals and objectives. Please email your resumé and a cover letter, with a minimum of two references, to work@yesmb.ca.
The Canadian Red Cross is looking for people to join its team of dedicated volunteers who are prepared to help people affected by disasters such as forest fires and floods. For more information, go to redcross.ca, call 204-982-7330 or email vrs@redcross.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.
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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