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During the pandemic I have been taking some online courses through the University of Manitoba’s inner-city social work program. While all the classes have been conducted online, I have had the privilege of learning with some progressive thinkers and activists. <\/p>\n My classmate Daniel Hidalgo is a CBC Manitoba Future 40 finalist in the category of social activism\/volunteerism. <\/p>\n One of his projects,CommUNITY 204, was begun in mid-October by a group of youth workers who had been volunteering together for about a year.<\/p>\n “We help the marginalized community by providing everything from furniture, food, water, toiletries and, most importantly in the winter, appropriate clothing. Beyond outerwear, socks are important this time of year; we are always trying to teach the kids to keep their feet dry,” Hidalgo said.<\/p>\n CommUNITY 204 has a team of about 10 volunteers who use their own trucks to help with deliveries. Hidalgo also uses his own home, and a space that he has rented to store and sort clothes and furniture. <\/p>\n Hidalgo has used his own money to produce a logo and to buy serving equipment and supplies for Soup for the Soul Sundays, which is held once a week at 3:30 p.m. <\/p>\n “Soup is donated from Meal Set Bistro on Academy (mealsetbistro.com<\/a>),” he said. <\/p>\n He has also been providing honoraria to the youth who work with him. <\/p>\n “They work their butts off helping people,” he said. “I grew up in care and I didn’t have these kind of supports. You’re led down one of two paths in life, and one of the easiest ways for me to stay on the right path is through helping others. <\/p>\n “Our motto is helping is healing, helping is medicine. It makes you feel better. Sometimes you’ll get a reaction from somebody and that will shape your whole day.”<\/p>\n CommUNITY204 also provides peacekeeping, safety patrols and harm reduction services.<\/p>\n Hidalgo, who has his paramedic’s license, worked with Mama Bear Clan, Drag the Red, and OPK Social Service Agency search parties as a captain\/medic. <\/p>\n Now, just three months into his new venture, the demand for CommUNITY 204 services has increased significantly.<\/p>\n “Right now, we are just trying to stay afloat,” Hidalgo said. “We’re trying to get gently used clothes and non-perishable food items out to our youth.” <\/p>\n The clothing drive, following current public health restrictions, is accepting donations at Hidalgo’s house in East Kildonan.<\/p>\n For more information, call 204-293-0335; email team.community.204@gmail.com; or visit www.facebook.com\/Comm.Unity.204\/<\/a> and www.instagram.com\/community.204\/<\/a><\/p>\n Evan Comstock is a community correspondent for East Kildonan.<\/p>
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