Historic Villa Rosa hosting open house on May 22

Wolseley

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This article was published 14/05/2025 (213 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Once shrouded in secrecy, Villa Rosa, a facility founded in 1898 by the Misericordia Sisters, has come a long way and evolved into a vibrant learning environment, besides being a place to call home.

Its residents were once mostly middle-class women sent to complete their pregnancies away from home. Now Villa Rosa, located at 784 Wolseley Ave. in the heart of Wolseley, serves some of the most vulnerable persons in Manitoba, who in their pregnancy often face considerable hardships, including health issues and emotional needs requiring significant care.

Embracing members of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, the modern-day Villa Rosa is a community-run organization that celebrates the diversity of residents and strives to honour all denominations and traditions. Incorporated in 1965 and registered as a charitable organization in 1967, Villa Rosa provides service to approximately 300 residents each year through various programs. Since inception, the organization has served over 14,000 parents and their children.

To forge ahead even more while maintaining the founding vision of providing a safe place for expectant mothers, Villa Rosa will be hosting an open house on Thursday, May 22, between 1 and 5 p.m., with the goal of having visitors get to know the history, the space and the vision better.

“We want to raise awareness about what we do,” executive director Carolyn Eva said about the inaugural event.

“Villa Rosa was always kind of, sort of, a bit of a secret. I’ve talked to people in the neighbourhood who didn’t even know the history. People would come here to hide; they didn’t want to be seen. People don’t know that we have a full high school program, a gorgeous back yard with a teepee. Today they were doing a sacred fire. It’s quite lovely,” she said, adding that people who have come through to visit are often stunned by the expansiveness of it, all 22,000 square feet.

Eva hopes that opening its doors to the larger community will encourage a flow of increased and much-needed donations for the work they do.

The open house is a come-and-go event and will allow visitors to walk through the space, including the classrooms. The personalized small group guided tours led by a staff team will encourage visitors to learn firsthand the meaningful impact of the work they do. The event will also provide information on ways to discover how to connect and support their vital work.

“Donations are always very helpful,” said Eva. “There’s a list of items that we need on our website. We also have a critical need for baby formula.”

Though breastfeeding is encouraged, Eva explains that some mothers can’t nurse because they’re on methadone while in treatment.

“We have 16 babies in our main building right now. With the homelessness issues, there aren’t places for women to go. The longer they can stay with us, the longer they can attend classes. We have three who will graduate this year. The single best way to get out of poverty is through education. Moms want to be the best parent that they can be.”

Currently Villa Rosa can only keep children in childcare for up 12 months, but Eva is hoping that will change, permitting them to access childcare longer.

There are many ways to support Villa Rosa, including becoming a volunteer baby-holder.

“Moms can leave the babies in the childcare centre while they attend classes. It’s pretty hard to do math when you’re holding a crying baby. Volunteers commit to half day a week. They hold and rock the babies. When they’re a little older they play with them. The young women get to see the good interactions, and it’s great for the babies.”

Villa Rosa does not have the capacity to pick up donations, but is happy to receive them between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., weekdays only.

Items needed right now include: size 5 and 6 diapers, women’s deodorant, new baby clothes up to 24 months (newborn in high demand), cuddly wraps and soft cloth baby carriers, bathmats, new bath towels and hand towels, hairbrushes and hand and body lotion, conditioner, sandals and slippers.

Villa Rosa’s annual fundraiser has been confirmed for Sept. 18. The Storytelling Gala will take place at Rocke Event Centre. To learn more about that, the open house, or to assist in other ways, visit www.villarosa.mb.ca or email volunteers@villarosa.mb.ca