Up Shoppe - Winnipeg

OUR STORY

Established in 1984, NEWC is the longest running women’s resource centre in all of Winnipeg. 

1983 - The concept of a women’s centre arose from an evening of conversation with three women discussing the need for services for women and their families in the North End of Winnipeg. One of the women took the initiative to pursue the development of a preventative model and establish a women’s resource centre. In 1983 an advisory committee of two community women and four agency representatives formed to secure support and funding.

1984 - In April 1984 a steering committee was created to guide the development of a women’s centre. The Core Area Initiative provided a two year grant from 1985 to 1987. A house at 453 Selkirk Ave was purchased and renovated.

1985 - The North End Women’s Resource Centre opened in April 1985.

1994 - In 1994, the North End Women’s Centre relocated to its current home at 394 Selkirk Avenue. NEWC receives core funding from the United Way of Winnipeg and Family Violence Prevention Program of the Province of Manitoba.

2000 - NEWC created a community economic development project called the Northern Star Collection. This project began as a Clothing Club where women came together to share stories and to repair donated clothing. The Clothing Club evolved first into a Sewing Circle and then into the Women’s Artisan Network. In the fall of 2000, NEWC relinquished “ownership” to the women’s cooperative. The Up Shoppe evolved from providing clothing to families in need into a full community economic development project.

2002 - In 2002 North End Women’s Centre purchased 382 & 384 Selkirk Avenue buildings. The 382 Selkirk Ave location was renovated and includes the Up Shoppe, four offices, and two emergency housing units. 384 Selkirk Avenue was demolished to make way for wheelchair accessibility to the Up Shoppe, additional parking, and a community garden.

2004 - In January of 2004 the Buffalo Gals was founded. The Buffalo Gals is an Aboriginal style Drumming Group. A group of 6 women called Womyn’s Tribe and Mae Louise Campbell birthed 13 community drums that are still used to this day. 15 + years later over 50 women and girls of all ages gather together at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday to drum, sing, celebrate and share our Aboriginal roots. The group provides a safe space to gently reclaim our Indigenous traditions and return to our identities as First Nation community members. We also welcome all our relations. Buffalo Gals Drum group provides an outlet for artistic development, role modelling, self-expression, and healing. It educates women about the Aboriginal art of drumming and the related ceremonies and teachings.

2006 - In 2006 NEWC started operating two transitional housing units above the Up Shoppe at 384 Selkirk. In 2006 NEWC purchased and opened a transitional housing facility in the West End of Winnipeg called the Betty Berg House. The Winnipeg Housing and Homeless Initiative (WHHI) provided funding for the Betty Berg House. This project provided safe and affordable short and long term transitional housing for single women struggling with issues of mental health, addictions, safety, chronic transience, and homelessness. This project aimed to help women move from homelessness toward stable housing. The program included holistic services, individual and group counselling, advocacy, nutrition education and health & wellness.

2009 - In January 2009, the North End Women’s Centre received funding (6 month pilot funding) from Urban Aboriginal Strategy and Family Violence Prevention Program to run a 6 month Addictions Aftercare Project. The goal of this project was to decrease the number of women who relapse within the first year after treatment by providing a holistic and culturally appropriate aftercare program that included addictions knowledge retention and long-term behavioural change. The project was very successful. In August 2009, the North End Women’s Centre received funding from Neighbourhoods Alive! – Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Winnipeg Foundation to continue this project. Based on consultation with the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, the program name was changed to Addictions Continuing Recovery Program.

2010 - In 2010 NEWC secured funding and to begin a capital project for a new building (386 Selkirk). The new building included 6 transitional housing units, shared living space, a program room, program kitchen, children’s area and offices. Decision was made to build the building where the current community garden was located. The garden was a loss to the community and there were intentions to rebuild some day.

2011 - Manitoba Community Services Council provided short term funding for the Addictions Continuing and Ongoing Recovery Program. NEWC created a Workplace Health and Wellness Committee which focused on the wellness of its staff.

2012 - In 2012, it was decided to name the new building after NEWC’s founder Chriss Tetlock. Chris Tetlock Place was opened on Selkirk Avenue with the purpose of hosting the Addictions Continuing and Ongoing Recovery Program and operating as transitional housing for participants of the Addictions program. The Province of Manitoba provided bridge funding for the program while new funders where explored. In 2012 Red Road to Healing was introduced. Red Road to Healing is a 10-week program for women who have experienced violence and are ready to move forward in their healing journey. It is a balance of informational and healing sessions. Traditional teachings are introduced to counteract the messages of violence and to empower women to make healthier choices for themselves and their families. Red Road to Healing was created by local Anishinaabe woman and former NEWC employee, Shannon Buck. In her words: “By using traditional healing methods and incorporating traditional teachings we are able to restore to women pride in themselves as Indigenous women, reconnect them with their heritage and provide opportunities for personal growth, community building and the reclaiming of a woman’s sacredness and power.”

2013 - In 2013 the first women move into Chriss Tetlock Place. In 2013 The Canadian Women’s Foundation provided funding to the Addictions Continuing and Ongoing Recovery Program. All NEWC transitional housing shifts to operate under the Addictions program.

2015 - Addictions Continuing and Ongoing Recovery Program receives funding from an anonymous donor allowing it to run another year. Homeless Partnering Strategy provides funding for a new Housing Program designed for chronically and episodically homeless women. Program offers Housing groups, pre-employment workshops, Life Skills workshops and Hands on Job Training.

2016 - In 2016 the Drop in Area receives a refresh. New furniture, rug and TV are purchased.

2017 - In 2017 NEWC receives 5 years of funding from Public Safety Canada provided to offer a program that would support women who have been sexually exploited and sex trafficked. This program offers 8 beds of safe transitional housing. Elder Mae Louise Campbell did a naming ceremony for the program and The Moon Medicine Rising Program was born with the first woman moving into the Betty Berg House in October of 2017.

2018 - NEWC doubles in size and a Workplace Health and Safety Committee is established. In 2018 NEWC receives funding from an anonymous donor to purchase the lot (390 Selkirk Ave) in between its buildings and begins discussions of a capital campaign to build a new building and healing garden.

2019 - NEWC opens up two evenings a week to accommodate the needs of the community. NEWC expands its Community Development and Engagement Service Area to include financial empowerment which supports low income women and their family. The initiatives work to reduce the barriers to access to income and benefits. Activities include a tax clinic, money management workshops and financial events. NEWC does a rebranding with updated vision, mission, values and logo. NEWC makes a commitment to do better around sustainability by integrating sustainable environmental, social, and economic practices into our program work, operations, and board/leadership decisions. A Green Team Committee was established.