Winnipeg, MB - City of Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz and MP for Elmwood - Transcona, Lawrence Toet joined community members today to help officially open the newly renovated Ma Mawi Chi Itata Centre located in the Point Douglas area.
The renovations will provide the organization with an additional 8828 sq. feet of drop-in/program space. The additional space will allow Ma Mawi to continue to provide much needed support services that promote longer-term stability to Aboriginal children, youth, individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in a culturally appropriate manner.
The City of Winnipeg is providing $1,492,773 in financial support through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) to Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre (Ma Mawi) for the capital construction ($1,280,860) and the delivery of their drop-in centre ($211,913).
“For 30 years, Ma Mawi has been an integral component within in our community,” said Mayor Katz. “The additional space will allow Ma Mawi to continue to provide much needed support services that promote longer-term stability to Aboriginal children, youth, individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.”
“Our Government is committed to ending the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” said MP Toet, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development). “We are proud to invest in smart, long-term solutions to ensure vulnerable individuals in Winnipeg continue to benefit from the support services offered by Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre.”
Ma Mawi was established in 1984 to reclaim Aboriginal people's inherent role and responsibility as the caregivers for Aboriginal children and families in Winnipeg. They are a community mandated, Aboriginal directed and supported human service organization, delivering children in care and community based programs and services to Aboriginal families. Today, with over 50 programs, 11 sites, and over 200 staff and volunteers, Ma Mawi provides a valued local presence in key neighbourhoods.
“This important, cultural based housing program offered at Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre and funded by Homelessness Partnering Strategy provides Indigenous Homeless Youth the tools they need to find and maintain appropriate, safe housing”, said Erin Leonzio, Housing Specialist for Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre. “Being able to witness the relief displayed by youth upon securing housing, speaks volumes about the success of the program. This partnership has allowed us to offer supports that build capacity which in turn results in bigger and brighter futures for those we assist”.
On April 25, 2012, the City of Winnipeg entered into a funding agreement with the Government of Canada to administer the Homelessness Partnering Strategy which provides support to organizations that assist people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the city.