One area of impact that is often overlooked is the health care UM provides to the community. Yes, a large number of the province’s health care providers graduate from UM, but the university can also be found at the grassroots level providing care to communities who need it.

The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry’s general clinic has been delivering outstanding dental care to members of the community for decades, just ask Catherine Hyska, a patient since 1966 – a time when fillings were 25 cents, and crowns cost between $5 and $10.

Hyska said she has consistently returned to the clinic over the years because “I knew I was looked after, I got good care and everybody is so friendly.”

Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the college, met Hyska on the 93-year-old’s most recent visit to the dental school.

“I think it’s amazing that Catherine has been a patient for 57 years,” Kelekis-Cholakis said. “We are so lucky to have patients that see value in the care that we offer here – but beyond the care, they are loyal to the educational opportunities they offer the students in our facility. It’s truly wonderful.”

Ongomiizwin and the COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Ongomiizwin, the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing – which provides health care to the community in many clinical areas through its Health Services branch – was instrumental in leading the COVID-19 vaccination project in all 63 Manitoba First Nations at the height of the pandemic in 2021.

“We were asked to lead the vaccine rollout because of our strong collaborative relationships with First Nations and our expertise at delivering trusted, culturally safe care in our communities,” said Melanie MacKinnon, a Cree nurse who leads Ongomiizwin and is executive director of the Health Services branch.

The massive rollout required Ongomiizwin putting out a call to recruit 350 health care providers, including UM faculty and students in the health sciences. They met their target in less than a week.

At the time, UM was the only university in Canada to be recognized as having the Indigenous-led clinical operations and public health expertise to direct a project of that scale.

Rehabilitation Sciences partnerships

A First Nations partnership at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences has doubled its community reach and impact in the last six years.

The partnership, named Kiga mamo anokimin onji minoayawin / Ka mamawi atoskatenow minoyin, which translated from Ojibway and Cree means, “We will work together for health and wellness” has a goal to bring the college’s services to the communities, based on their self-identified needs and priorities. It has included projects to help young adults who have aged out of children’s services, people who are frail, and those with dementia and their loved ones.

One of the priorities being furthered by the initiative is to build a team of college and community representatives to consider a strategy for each community and an overall strategy for all communities.

“By working together, we are meeting community needs, and the communities are teaching our faculty, staff and students in a spirit of collaboration and sharing,” said Dr. Reg Urbanowski, dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

The College of Rehabilitation Sciences has also moved its Physical Therapy Neuro Rehab Clinic from UM’s Bannatyne Campus to Riverview Health Centre in April 2022.

As part of a collaboration, called Rural Rehabilitation Outreach, the student-led clinic will see patients both in-person and virtually, using tele-rehabilitation. This is a model that has patients receiving treatments from providers from anywhere in Manitoba.

“The exciting thing about this hybrid model is that about 40 per cent of the patients our students are seeing are through tele-rehab,” said Kathleen Klaasen, chief executive officer at Riverview Health Centre. “I think that speaks to the demand for this service and for physiotherapy in general.”

Positivity and wellness for kids in the community

UM also has many community programs that build positivity and good health.

The Summer Weekend Inner-city Supervised Hoops (SWISH) program, for example, gives inner-city kids a place to play basketball in a supervised setting every weekend throughout the summer.

The outdoor drop-in basketball program – supervised by paid staff and volunteers, including adult basketball players, coaches, and community members – takes place at the University of Manitoba Bannatyne campus.

The popular Biomedical Youth Program (BYP) summer camp, allows youth from the inner city, northern communities, and across Manitoba to conduct fun research and health-related procedures. The summer program, launched in 2006 with only 15 participants, now hosts 150 students each year.

CanU introduces Winnipeg youth to the idea of a university education through programming on campus. Student mentors lead activities that include physical education, nutrition and literacy.

Please read more stories about how UM is partnering with and impacting the lives of Manitobans.

“We feed every kid that comes to CanU, every time they come—either through a nutrition program, or food-services program,” Berrington said at a cheque presentation event held at the University Centre post office.

“We’re really honoured to be a part of this. CanU is proud to be affiliated with Canada Post and the idea of supporting kids with great potential in our community.”

A part of a Canada Post Community Foundation program, the grant represents a portion of $1.2 million invested in 118 community groups nationwide this year. Money raised each year stems from the sale proceeds of specific foundation fundraising stamps.

“These funds will help organizations like yours build better, safer and more supportive communities for Canadian youth, said Canada Post retail business manager Jason Candaele. “Canada Post employees, partners and customers make a difference for children in our communities coast-to-coast.”

A mentoring and leadership-development program, CanU introduces Winnipeg youth to the dream of a post-secondary education through programming on campus. Since its inception nine years ago, CanU has grown to partner with over 60 schools, working with more than 800 youth.

Mentors were struggling to engage the girl in activities until she discovered arm-knitting, a technique where the knitter’s arms replace the needles. By the end of the evening, she had completed a scarf with enough enthusiasm for the craft to change programming at her school.

“She was so excited about this opportunity, that she went back to school and taught some of the other students how to arm knit,” Courchaine recalls, adding that excitement among the students inspired school officials to bring in sewing machines, offering other skills training as well.

Courchaine’s own enthusiasm for CanU as a founding member, board member, financial manager, organizer—and many other volunteer roles—has culminated in the organization presenting her with its Ernie Friesen volunteer-of-the-year award.

With characteristic modesty, she says she is proud to be a part of a team that promotes sports, nutrition and education for young people.

Since her involvement as a co-founder of the program in 2010, she has seen CanU grow to helping more than 500 youth in 40 schools though 70 programs, led by more than 600 university and college student volunteers, from its inception as a pilot when it served 15 youth across three programs in as many schools.

“Year after year, they come back and they are in different roles, doing different things. Just watching their confidence grow; it’s amazing,” says Courchaine, who has played a key role connecting the organization with educators such as Associate Prof. Michelle Honeyford and Strini Ready, awarded the Order of Canada for his advocacy for children, education, social justice.

Courchaine was also CanU’s connection to the Faculty of Education itself, which offers initiatives such as CanU Academy, where BEd students mentor youth, developing programming around subjects like musical, theatre, science, and creative writing, among others.

CanU founder and volunteer executive director, Roger Berrington, appreciates Courchaine’s far-reaching influence on both the youth and volunteers running the program.

“Perhaps no one has had a greater impact on CanU kids and volunteers than Rita Courchaine. For for the past eight years, Rita has done every volunteer job imaginable—from being the first

CanU mentor to being the volunteer financial manager—with incredible generosity and joy. Rita humbly and graciously does whatever it takes to make a positive impact on others,” Berrington said in an emailed statement.

Reflecting on her role, Courchaine sees herself as one among many within the organization and the community, including the board, organizations like the Winnipeg Foundation, staff and university volunteers, schools and community partners.

“None of it would happen without so much incredible collaboration. It’s an honour but it’s humbling to get the award, because I’m just one small piece of a huge puzzle of support working together,” she said.

“It’s incredible. I’m blessed to be a part of something that’s just making a difference in so many lives.”

Werle is a two-time CIS Academic All-Canadian and has also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology this year. The goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team was recognized at this year’s Brown and Gold Dinner with the Female Student-Athlete Leadership and Community Development Award.

Another Bison athlete, Jordan DePape was also recognized at the Brown and Gold Dinner for his influence on campus and in the wider community. He received the Male Student-Athlete Leadership and Community Development Award. As captain of the men’s hockey team, the third-year Faculty of Arts student was named 2015-16 CIS Second Team All-Canadian and 2015-16 Canada West First Team All-Star, plus was Team MVP for the second consecutive season.

DePape volunteers almost four hours each week as a CanU group mentor. He has been involved in impactful programs as a Bison Book Buddies coordinator, Siloam Mission, taught and coached during Hockey Manitoba Just Play Program and organized and implemented the inaugural Bison Hockey Hampers for CanU.

Like DePape and many other Bisons, Werle devotes a substantial amount of her time helping others. In fact, Bisons are are some of the most dedicated volunteers on campus. These student athletes represent the university within the community in a number of initiatives such as Bisons Against Bullying, Bison Book Buddies, CanU, Hope North of 55 flag football camp, volunteering at Siloam Mission, as well as through a number of coaching activities.

“I volunteer because I was raised on the value of giving. Having said that, I have been extremely fortunate to have spent six years as a CIS student-athlete and it is only fitting that I share my experiences and successes with others who do not have the same opportunity,” says Werle.

Balancing academic studies, training and finding time to volunteer can be difficult says Werle but in the end it’s worth it.

“It is sometimes challenging to fit it all in, but it is important to me and I have made it a priority just as I have with school and sport. Every little bit counts, even if it is an hour a week.”

She recalls one particular example when she volunteered with CanU – an after school mentorship program for local youth from across the city, held at the U of M. She says she had a child in one of her groups who had a very tough upbringing and as a result struggled with certain aspects of day-to-day life.

“It was difficult at first, but eventually this child was able to feel more comfortable in the CanU environment and enjoy the time spent with the other children. To me this was so special because it really showed what programs like CanU can foster in individuals who otherwise may not have the opportunity to find purpose and joy on their own,” says Werle.

Find out more about some of the myriad volunteer activities our Bison student athletes are involved in:

• http://news.umanitoba.ca/bisons-giving-back/
• http://news.umanitoba.ca/giving-back/

HOW IT WORKS: Once a week (for 14 weeks) Grade 5 and 6 students from around Winnipeg are transported by partnering school divisions to the University of Manitoba. Here, they connect with university student mentors and instructors to deepen their literacy, learn how to cook healthy foods, or get involved in sport or jazz music. The CanU Health Sciences program, REACH, begins for junior high students in 2014-15.

THE GOAL: To provide kids with inspiring mentors, experiences and dreams.

THE IMPACT: In four years, CanU has grown from 15 kids and 59 volunteers to 240 children and 300 volunteers.

IN HER OWN WORDS: “There are so many great stories from the children, their teachers and our university students,” says Rita Courchaine, a Faculty of Education employee who at first helped CanU with hosting duties when the kids come to campus and now does the finances and paperwork. “When I see one of the mentors having a heart-to-heart with one of the kids, or see one of the returning kids run to high-five a returning mentor in the fall, I know this program is having an impact. I am proud to be a part of CanU.”

FUNDERS AND SUPPORTERS: Chippingham Financial Group; CIBC Children’s Foundation; Central Neighborhoods Development Corporation; the Desautels Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba; Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine; Granny’s Poultry Farmers Cooperative; Canadian Tire; Jumpstart; Let’s Talk Science partnership program; the Louis Riel School Division; Manitoba Housing; Neighborhoods Alive!; Pembina Trails School Division; The Navigators; Quarks; University of Manitoba Bisons Sports; University of Manitoba Faculty of Education; University of Manitoba Faculty of Human Ecology; Winnipeg School Division; Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation; and the Winnipeg Foundation

LEARN MORE

• CanU
• On UM Today
• In TeachingLIFE Magazine
• On the Faculty of Education news blog

To see the impact the University of Manitoba has on the global community take a look at this map. If you have a community-minded story to tell, please do so by submitting your story here.

The question is a cliché, but when you speak with someone like Kristjana Peterson, you can’t help but ask it: When do you find time to sleep?

Peterson is a full-time student at the University of Manitoba, where she is in her fourth year studying toward a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.

The 21-year-old is also an accomplished high jumper on the Bisons track-and-field team, a commitment that typically requires training eight times a week. She also works part-time teaching gymnastics classes at a children’s fitness centre in St. Vital.

To top it all off, Peterson volunteers with CanU, an after-school program for children in grades 5 to 7. She co-ordinates CanU’s track-and-field component.

Read the story in its entirety here.