‘A place of belonging’

Wolesley

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/08/2023 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Acorn Family Place — formerly Wolseley Family Place — is celebrating 25 years as an independent organization, having grown far beyond its humble beginning in the basement of Misericordia Health Centre.

The bustling space, now located on the second floor of Young United Church at 222 Furby St., is home to several different spaces, including a living area, counselling office, children’s playroom, group area — used mostly for food banks, therapy groups, and weekly group activities such as art — and a kitchen/lunch spot.

In the middle of the day, the building is bouncing with life. Walking through the area, it’s important to watch for kids, followed closely by their parents, running about and scattering their donated toys.

“We are a really grassroots community organization,” said Emma Fineblit, who has been executive director of the centre for five years. “The volunteers and community members really make this place their place … We’re really just honoured to work alongside them.”

Although some of the high-needs the centre must face have changed, a lot has stayed the same, Fineblit said, and its core message of supporting young families in the area has kept the centre strong and healthy throughout its operation.

“Poverty has been an issue since day one,” Fineblit said. “(It) remains probably the biggest barrier that families who access our centre face … The struggle to meet basic needs, find affordable housing, find money for food, clothing and diapers, and all the things that a growing family needs. That’s been a constant throughout our existence.”

Alongside providing essential items such as food — through hampers and a food bank operated through Manitoba Harvest — laundry and clothing (with the help of donations and a clothing depot), the centre provides essential resources such as parenting aid or help with taxes and career forms.

“Another thing that has remained constant is people’s need for community, a place of belonging,” Fineblit said. “For families with young children, and especially single parents, social isolation is a big issue and it’s hard to get out of the house … You don’t necessarily know other parents (or) a place where people can just come spend their day, for free, and connect with others.”

Ubaida Dramani, who moved to Canada from Ghana a decade ago without her family, has since welcomed five kids — aged two, four, six, seven, and nine — into the world. She has worked in the centre’s kitchen, preparing meals and training younger staff, for the last six years.

“I always ask myself, ‘How come I didn’t know about this earlier?’” she said, adding that, before coming across the centre, she had no work experience in Winnipeg and would not really leave her home. “I was just going around, I didn’t even know where to go … but when I found out (about this), I wasn’t at home, I was always coming out, it has had no bad effect on my life.”

“All I can say is that I’m always thanking them and that they should keep up the good work,” Dramani continued. “I always pray to God to give them strength … you know, the strength and patience they have in dealing with a lot of issues that come here … Because sometimes it’s hell — but they figure it out whenever that happens, so it’s not that often. I really appreciate what they are doing here.”

Acorn Family Place will celebrate its anniversary on Sept. 15, the culmination of a week of activity starting Sept.. 11.

The centre is also launching a new program this fall called Caring Dads, aiming to focus on developing male parenting skills.

With rising prices of food and other basic items, Acorn Family Place takes donations in the form of funds, essential items, clothing, and more. More information can be found online at acornfamilyplace.ca