An umbrella for the community

St. Boniface

Réseau Compassion Network held quite a celebration on Nov. 6.

The event at Manitoba Museum — called Celebrating Our Roots, United by Our History — was part of the St. Boniface-based organization’s 25th anniversary.

The Compassion Network’s services cover five main areas — primary, community and mental health care; acute care; long-term care; comprehensive services for people with developmental disabilities; and housing and social services.

It is responsible for 13 agencies, including Actionmarguerite, Aulneau Renewal Centre, Centre de santé Saint-Boniface, Centre Flavie, Sara Riel, and St. Amant.

On Nov. 6, RCN received a community service award from Winnipeg mayor Scott Gillingham.

Daniel Lussier, Réseau Compassion Network CEO, said the organization was thankful for recognition in the spotlight of its landmark anniversary.

“Réseau Compassion Network has attempted to pivot in the community in recent years, and I think this award is testament to that,” Lussier said.

RCN also announced the creation of four grants, each worth $250,000.

One grant will be available to network organizations to support pilot project ideas that will help close gaps for people facing barriers relating to poverty. A second will be available to the organization’s network partners to support their respective Reconciliation journeys: “It’s about reshaping connections with Indigenous communities, and helping advisory circles,” Lussier said.

A third will be available to francophone community partners, to help them meet challenges within the health and human services sectors: “A number of our member organizations are designated bilingual by the province, so there are HR challenges, and we need bilingual speakers to ensure resources are in place,” Lussier explained.

The fourth grant will help the community develop innovative ideas that “seek to close the gap for people facing barriers related to complex poverty.”

Lussier said the anniversary event straddled layers of Winnipeg history, and recognized the contributions of those who came before.

“It’s all about finding our way in the context of Winnipeg’s rich history, and doing good work moving forward,” he said.