Jean Pierre Venegas, Senior Manager of Volunteer and Reception Services at Welcome Place
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I arrived in Canada almost 16 years ago on a frigid morning in January, with the hope of finally touching peaceful soil after many years of struggle as a refugee. The name ‘Welcome Place’ began to sound in my ears, and I quickly found the meaning of the name: compassion, support, integration, the light at the end of the tunnel.

Immediately after arriving I registered as a volunteer with Welcome Place to return some of the kindness received. After six months I was employed, and have been working ever since to make a difference in our clients’ lives.

Almost 90 percent of Welcome Place staff are former clients, which brings humanity to the daily job and the best example of integration into Canadian lifestyle.

– Jean Pierre Venegas,
Welcome Place Senior Manager of Volunteer and Reception Services

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Citizen Priorities

NEWCOMERS

  1. Ensure newcomers are welcomed and integrated into the Winnipeg community
  2. Increase support for accreditation of foreign professionals
  3. Increase learning opportunities for English as an Additional Language (EAL) education

YOUTH

  1. Increase opportunities for youth to gain employment skills
  2. Increase youth participation in community and civic life
  3. Increase access to mental health supports

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

  1. Address issues of racism and prejudice
  2. Implement the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
  3. Increase awareness and inclusion of Indigenous communities

FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE

0
%
of Winnipeggers have felt uncomfortable or out of place because of religion, skin colour, culture, race, language, accent, disability, gender, or sexual orientation
SOURCE: WINNIPEG’S VITAL SIGNS 2017 ONLINE SURVEY

SENSE OF BELONGING

WINNIPEG - 66.9%
MANITOBA - 71.1%
CANADA - 68%
of people aged 12+ have a strong or somewhat strong sense of community belonging
SOURCE: STATISTICS CANADA, 2015

DIVE DEEPER INTO VITAL SIGNS

The Winnipeg’s Vital Signs® 2017 report identifies significant needs and trends by combining research with the results of surveys, in which community members provided insights on issue areas critical to quality of life in Winnipeg.

Discover more about identity and belonging

IN OUR COMMUNITY

Stories connected to identity and belonging were featured on River City 360, The Winnipeg Foundation’s one-hour radio program on 93.7 CJNU FM.

February 15, 2018

November 23, 2017