Cleaning up community a uniting experience

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This article was published 29/03/2021 (1796 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A few weeks ago, I saw a Facebook event for a North End community cleanup hosted by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba, Anishiative and Strength in the Circle. I signed up, as I was starving for a chance to do something that might make a difference, and I also wanted to break free from my bubble.

When I arrived at the society’s parking lot on Selkirk Avenue on March 20, I felt intimidated and shy. People were just starting to gather, some in reflective vests and shirts with the name and logo of the groups they are a part of, such as the Bear Clan and the Mama Bear Clan.

There were also people who, like me, weren’t part of a larger group. I’m not a member of the North End community, but the Facebook post said everyone was welcome.

Mitch Bourbonniere, a community organizer and a new friend I had met a few weeks earlier, rolled up shortly after on his motorcycle. It seemed as if every person there knew him, because they probably did.

Mitch is a humble helper who has spent much of his life lifting up his community. He’s the kind of guy who takes care of people, and he made sure to introduce me to some of the other volunteers. In a pandemic, meeting new people is strange — at least, I thought it would be, because you have to do it cautiously and awkwardly, from a distance. However, everyone I met was gracious and welcoming, and offered me a spot with their group once the cleanup started.

Quinn Saretsky, is the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society — a non-profit that provides services to women who are involved in the criminal justice system — and one of the event’s organizers. She came up with the idea to host the community cleanup after noticing all the garbage that surfaced when the snow started to melt.

It hit her one morning that she could do something about it, so she reached out to Rylee Nepinak, one of the founders of Anishiative — an Indigenous youth organization dedicated to serving the North End — and asked if they’d be interested in teaming up.

On the morning of the cleanup, many folks showed up with their own garbage-pickers and gloves in hand; there were around 40 people of different ages ready to clear trash that littered the neighbourhood.

“It was just a beautiful opportunity to have folks from all walks of life come out and show common unity for our neighbourhood. We had over nine different organizations and groups represented, and it demonstrated the love in our community,” Saretsky said.

I worked a small field along Andrews Street with Nepinak and Brandy Bobier, who is the city lead co-ordinator at the food-rescue charity Leftovers Foundation and just started her own non-profit, called Community Helpers Unite. Like all the other volunteers I’d met that day, they were just showing up to help make the neighbourhood they loved a little better.

“Not only are Anishiative and Elizabeth Fry Society organizations that we redirect rescued food to for their hampers and programming, but we also volunteer with each other,” Bobier said.

“We are all like-minded and have a clear vision to revitalize the community, and as small groups, the best way to reach that goal is to help each other succeed. Their leadership teams are made up of beautiful, caring souls, who are trying to create real change. On behalf of Leftovers and CHU, I am so proud to be a part of their circle and take part in this event.”

It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I got to be part of something special that made a difference.

There are plenty of community cleanups going on throughout the province. If you have the time and ability, I recommend taking part, even if you’re going alone. You’ll leave feeling great and maybe even with a few new friends.

shelley.cook@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter @ShelleyACook