Elmwood Unity Walk

Elmwood

Unity can be hard to achieve, especially when people with diverse backgrounds are involved. However, the Elmwood Unity Walks are an attempt to bring people together in new ways. On Sept. 21, participants also had a chance to meet byelection candidates who could help to form this neighbourhood’s future.

Described on the event’s Facebook page as a “community-based safety patrol” run by the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (CNRC), the Elmwood Unity Walk is designed to “provide assistance to vulnerable individuals in the community, while building positive relationships and keeping our neighbourhood clean.” Participants hand out snacks, water and hygiene kits, while also picking up and disposing of needles and other dangerous objects. The idea is also to connect with the people of the neighbourhood and to create contacts that can help people in need or encourage new friendships.

Normally, Elmwood Unity Walks take place, weather permitting, on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m., with half an hour beforehand for volunteers to eat a meal together and prepare for the walk. This time, however, the plans included beginning the pre-walk preparations and pizza at 12:30 p.m. to allow for a special event.

The earlier gathering time was designed to meet candidates for the upcoming City Council byelection, which the municipal government called a byelection to replace former Coun. Jason Schreyer, who died in April. As of Sept. 20, seven candidates were scheduled to run in the election, according to the City of Winnipeg website. Having a chance to meet with and talk to some of these candidates was a good opportunity for residents of the Elmwood-East Kildonan area to learn about who is running before the election takes place in October.

Organizers of the Sept. 21 event may have been watching the sky anxiously for a return of the weekend’s rain. However, over twenty-five people came for the event, gathering in the main room of the CNRC for pizza before setting out on the walk. Along the way, CNRC Executive Director Leilani Esteban-Villarba pointed out several spots where her organization has been working to improve life in Elmwood.

As the CNRC website notes, the walks are designed to provide “a regular presence in the Elmwood area.” Sunday’s walk helped to do that and more for participants and residents of the neighbourhood.