Main Street Project looks ahead to a busy year

City Centre

North Point Douglas

CITY CENTRE

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This article was published 15/01/2025 (247 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Work never ends at Main Street Project, and a new year means several new projects for the community health outreach centre, which regularly deals with Winnipeg’s marginalized populations.

At the same time, the need is at an all-time high.

“(December is) a very generous time,” said Jamil Mahmood, Main Street Project executive director. “We see lots of outpouring. But we never stop working, we never close. (It’s) 24/7, 365, right? So we tend to see less donations come in (come January).”

Mahmood said the centre is currently low on winter coats and jackets. There is greater demand for them this winter than last, which was relatively mild. A more normal winter means MSP is providing services relevant to the temperatures, which can sometimes prove deadly to vulnerable populations.

Main Street Project is much more than just a shelter, a fact that is often misunderstood, Mahmood said. Along with providing emergency shelter, the non-profit organization, founded in 1972, hosts a food bank, a clothing depot, temporary housing, social services, addictions support, and a van patrol outreach program.

“There’s more people in homelessness now than past years, so every dollar we get in funding is spread a lot thinner,” Mahmood said. “So that’s where monetary donations go a real long way to making sure we can meet the needs of people, that we’re able to meet emerging trends.”

For example, last year saw a surge in toxic drug poisoning.

“Front-line service organizations like ours are now the ones responding to most overdoses, oftentimes more than paramedics most days, because we’re right there and we’re where people are,” Mahmood said. “We’ve had to adjust our training models to make sure people have the training they need to be able to respond to the needs we’re seeing. All that takes time and money and energy to do.

“So that’s kind of where we’re at in January … coming out of the holiday season, looking at what needs are, and figuring out the best way to support our community.”

Mahmood said some exciting developments are also on the horizon, as well.

Phase 1 of renovations to the former Mitchell Fabrics building at the corner of Logan Avenue and Main Street are expected to be completed in the coming months. In the near future (three to five years, Mahmood said), the hope is that a housing property will be built on the roof of the pre-existing building. Phase 1 involved installation of structural steel supports needed to do so, and provided a new life for the building’s basement as a “retail therapy” clothing facility for those who need it.

MSP offers clothing to those who need it, but a lack of time and space means the process can feel transactional and perfunctory, Mahmood said. The new “store” — at which garments will still be free — means people will be able to try things on and create an outfit pertaining to their own style.

“A lot of what we do overall … is recognizing that when you’re in poverty or homeless, so much of your choice is taken away. Where you eat, what you eat, what you wear … we want to really change that and say it doesn’t have to be that way.

“What we see in our food bank, with the choice model, is a lot of volunteers are people that need the food bank, but they also want to help set it up and help sort the stuff … And so that’s always a good sign for us.

“We’re doing the right thing when the people using the services want to help make it happen, right? So we anticipate the same thing will happen for our clothing department store when it opens,” Mahmood said.

“I think there’s maybe a misconception that just because (places) are addressing a major issue like poverty or homelessness, they have to be not-nice places,” he added. “We always try to make all of our spaces nice and (ensure that) people feel welcome and included, and that should be a part of it.”

Over time, MSP aims to convert itself into an organization that provides permanent housing, which would include continuing support after people have roofs over their heads.

“These are life-saving services — people need shelter and food and and their basic needs met, and those should be available to everybody in in our city,” Mahmood said. “I think we’re all doing it in a good way, and I think we’re just missing those last few pieces to get to get the right housing and the all the supports in place, but I’m optimistic we can do it,” Mahmood said.

Main Street Project is always open to monetary donations, third-party fundraising events, and material donations in the form of food and clothing. Those interested in volunteering can apply online and take part in an orientation process to see if it is for them.

Visit www.mainstreetproject.ca for more information.