08/19/2026
I asked Grace a personal question I wasn't sure she'd answer. She answered it anyway.
She's a registered social worker. Started at Riverwood as summer staff while she was still in school, back when she didn't know what she wanted to do yet. After graduating she went into counseling — contract work, heavy cases, every single day. She said it plainly: it wasn't for her.
Then something happened that she called a miracle from God.
There was no job posting. No opening. Nothing. She emailed her supervisor anyway and said she just had a feeling she needed to be here. They wrote back — and now she's the Neighbourhood Program Director. A couple months in and she's running the whole thing.
What that actually means day to day:
She oversees the food bank that serves around 130 families a week.
She runs the mom support group. She runs support groups for women in the community — right now it's a healthy relationships workshop. She's bringing back domestic violence support groups this fall, which she told me is what she's most passionate about.
She's the reason there's coffee on every table and treats out and a place to sit as long as you want, instead of a line you get moved through.
She organizes the bingo nights. The birthday gift cards. The Birds Hill trip with 50 people. The seniors programming. She keeps community resources stocked on that table so people know what help exists.
Some people take a job. Some people are the reason a place works.
If you want to support what Grace and her team are doing:
📍 325 Talbot Avenue, Winnipeg — the old fire hall
🕘 Tuesday to Friday, 9–5 — ring the doorbell, they'll always take a donation
Most needed: non-perishables. Canned soup, pasta, cereal. Anything shelf-stable.
To volunteer: email [email protected] or [email protected] — they'll send you an application.
Shifts are Wednesdays and Thursdays during the day, or Wednesday evenings 5:30–7:30 if you work days.
