2022 Participants: Inner-City Work Study

It was wonderful to be back in person for this years class.

Ali Robson: Studying Urban and Inner-City Studies

I am interested in this program as a way to integrate the theoretical and academic learning I have been doing in the UIC program in to practical experience working alongside inner city communities. As well, my interest in the program stems from my years of working collaboratively in the arts and I am excited to apply the relational, reflective, and creative skills that I have gained to working towards reconciliation and social change within community.

Shandina Pierce: Indigenous Studies student photo Shandina Pierce

I am excited about the opportunity to be involved in community service work. I really believe that contributing and giving back should be a bigger part of academic life, since we are fortunate to have the opportunity to be students. I think we should all look for ways to contribute to society in substantial ways that are meaningful for us. Also, the program offers the opportunity to gain real-world work experience, which I am hoping will give me insight into what it is like to be involved in this sort of work, and give me some direction for the possibilities of related future employment.

I am hoping to learn more about the resources available to people in the inner-city, and how those resources align with actual need. I am excited to look into the ways that matching those resources to the actual needs can improve efficiencies, and in that way divert and recapitalize on the resources that would have been used less effectively. I am also looking forward to engaging with individual people who live in the inner-city, and hearing their stories and learning about their experiences. I also appreciate the opportunity to learn more about Winnipeg, and the parts of it that I have not had as much opportunity to explore and get to know.

I am also looking forward to the chance to learn about and take part in hands on research in an inner-city organization--organizing both the data and the more personal input, shared by participants; and working out how to put it all together into a meaningful report that can be used to make a difference to the organization and the people it serves.

I am a tenacious researcher, and like to get into the bits and pieces of discovering why things are the way they are, what works, what doesn’t, and why. I am also fairly creative, and hope to be able to suggest improvements that will be useful to the organization to better serve its participants. Also, as someone that has’t always had an easy path through life, I feel that I can listen and offer compassion and empathy to the people I will be interacting with.

Brooke Harding: Social Innovation and Community Development

I plan to work in the community development sector, and I believe that the Inner-city work-study program will compliment my studies while giving me valuable experiences so that I can work effectively in communities. I hope to learn more about nonprofit organizations, marginalized communities, issues, and barriers that affect the inner city and how to positively effect change within these areas. My interest in this area, as well as my education within Indigenous studies and community development will allow me to contribute a relevant perspective and passion. I love my home city Winnipeg and I am eager to see how I can contribute towards a better future for our community.

Bunmi Afolabi: Masters in Development Practice: Indigenous Development student photo Bunmi Afolabi

This program presents a unique opportunity to learn more about the social, cultural, linguistic, economic, and political challenges faced by Newcomer, Indigenous and vulnerable populations of inner-city communities. Additionally, the Inner-City Work Study program creates an environment that fosters the development of critical, reflexive, and reconciliatory practices in engaging with Indigenous inner-city communities. I hope to gain new skills that will enable me to support community members in creating and advocating for sustainable solutions that will address the immediate and long-term needs of inner-city communities, and bridge critical gaps between Indigenous and Newcomer communities in Manitoba and beyond. I will contribute to the program the unique insights I have developed through my lived experience as an immigrant and person of color, as well as the critical and reflexive skills I’ve gained through my academic studies and experience in community-based work to continually decolonize my assumptions, positionality, and knowledge in engaging with marginalized communities.

Danni Mesojednik: Urban and Inner-City Studies / English – Creative Writing student photo danni mesojednik

I am interested in this program because working in the community is a future career goal I have. Making connections with workplaces and clients while gaining experience working with organizations while still studying sounds like a win-win situation! I hope to learn about the inner workings of the placement I am in and gain the personality skills needed to work with inner city communities. I would also love to learn how to build relationships with the students I work with – I have worked with teens, but never adults. I hope I will contribute a new perspective to the project I work with. I am young and experiencing some of the things that these youth are struggling with while finding employment. I hope I can pass on my coping skills and give these young adults some tricks to succeed.

Jennifer Gair: Faculty of Education

I was first drawn to the Inner-City Work Study program because I knew I would be provided the opportunity to gain experience that is extremely beneficial both to my future career and to building a more diversified skillset. I hope to learn about what helps a successful non-profit organization function and get to know the members of my community on a personal level. I hope to contribute my unique perspective and skills I have honed by working with inner-city students to aid in my partner organization’s goal of providing support to Manitobans and creating a sense of community.

Keara Lavergne: Sociology student photo keara lavergne

Ever since I can remember I have always been interested in learning about people and how they go about their daily lives. I have always wanted to help support people in whatever area of their lives they have trouble in; whether that be mental health, physical disabilities, addictions, or everyday challenges . Working with marginalized groups in our city will help me to build the foundation of my career by allowing me to work alongside mentors whilst helping individuals in our society who may not always be treated fairly. Overall I want to make an impact on the lives around me. I want to learn more techniques to support people and get them through the tough times that they may face in their lives. I think I have a lot to offer this program because I'm so interested in helping people and learning more about our city. I am also very expressive and open with my emotions and I know how to talk and listen to people in both a sympathetic and empathetic way. I have always gone through life trying to understand why people are how they are and why they do the things they do; this curiosity continually drives me to learn more about everyone I'm around.

Macayla Hucul Criminal Justice student photo macayle hucul

Luxman Loganathan: Neuroscience student photo luxman loganathan

I am interested in the Inner-City Work Study program because it gives me a great opportunity to expand my horizons and also give back to the community. I hope to gain first hand insight into the reality faced by inner-city youth and learn what I can do to help. I believe I will be able to help nurture a positive learning environment and evoke a strong sense of community,

Manika Dua: Business Administration student photo manika dua

The program involves working beyond the classrooms and learning subject matter through practical application. I hope to gain new experiences by interacting with new people, getting to know how organizations work to bring about changes in the community, for its betterment. I have studied about various communities in my previous courses but never really got a chance to get a pragmatic or real view of their functioning and challenges. The program will provide me this opportunity and I am really excited about it.

Paige Mason: Political Science

Paige is a third-generation settler who grew up in Selkirk, Manitoba and is a new resident of Winnipeg. Paige chose to major in political science due to her passion for social justice and plans to obtain a Master’s in Public Administration after completing her bachelor's degree. Throughout her time in university, she has participated in numerous social justice and political causes, such as a canvasser for the Selkirk NDP in the 2019 provincial election, was Equal Voices Daughter of the Vote delegate for Selkirk, has worked for a City Councillor and sits on the Board for the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada. Paige is interested in the Inner-City Work-Study program as she hopes to further her knowledge on poverty, reconciliation and community organizing, believes this program would provide her with real-life knowledge. Paige hopes to learn the strengths of the inner-city while also the weaknesses and learn what solutions are best for the community while also breaking down misconceptions of the inner-city. Paige is looking forward to using her political knowledge and social justice skills this summer when she works with Sara Riel Inc to examine culturally appropriate mental health supports for newcomers.

Roan Regan: Film and English student photo roan regan

My name is Roan Regan, I am a 20-year-old Film and English double major at the University of Winnipeg. When I heard about the Inner-City Work Study program, I immediately knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Between school and work it becomes hard to find time to give back to the community, which is something I’ve been passionate about from a young age. I’ve always loved working with people and understanding the human experience from all walks of life. Many educators, and social systems have changed my life for the better, and I believe that paying that kindness forward is one of the most powerful things one can do. The Work-Study program allows busy students like me to have the time to work, learn, and give back all in one. I hope that this program allows me to grow greater compassion, meet and form connections with people, and opens my eyes to greater systemic issues our city faces. My long-term goal is to become an arts educator, as I believe art is one of the most healing and community building expressions. The position I am taking this summer will allow me to share that passion with the greater inner-city and contribute to the sense of community downtown in particular.

Sasheen Cameron: Kinesiology student photo sasheen cameron

I am interested in the inner-city work study program because I’ve seen the various projects that have been formed, the changes that have been implemented and ways in which the surrounding communities have developed as a result of the work study collaboration. It is my hope that I will be able to contribute to the development and welfare of an inner-city community through the work and collaboration that I will partake in.

Sid S. Horschig: Sociology

After I am done my studies my goal is to work in organizations that provide services for our most vulnerable populations. When I heard from a classmate that the university had a summer program dedicated to working with Inner-city Organizations, I was immediately convinced that this was something I wanted to do since it aligned with my interests and future career goals. The fact that this program is immersive and allows for students to work with local Programs was the final nail in the coffin which convinced me to apply. My interest lies in the support of our most marginalized communities and the hopes to empower people. My interest lies in grassroots movements and the wonderful/productive work they do in Winnipeg. Through firsthand experience I hope to learn and participate in things I believe in and gain more of an understanding. I am very excited for the hands-on approach, as that’s when I learn the most. I believe that I have a unique perspective on the struggles faced by inner-city communities accumulate to a combination of firsthand experience and my area of study. My Indigenous background makes me familiar with the struggles faced in Inner-city areas, and my sociological perspective gives me a unique approach when looking at the systems which tend to overlook our most vulnerable populations. The combination of these both make me familiar with the impacts of colonialism, incarceration, drug addiction, poverty and systematic barriers faced by our communities. I am hoping to apply these in a sympathetic and educational manner to enrich both my participation and the studies.

Tafadzwa Chinyama: Criminal Justice student photo tafadzwa chinyama

I hope to make connections with students, staff and other people that are meaningful. I am interested because the program deals with issues in the society that I am interested in exploring. I hope to learn more about Indigenous people, their history and culture. The knowledge I have now is through courses that I take. I want to interact with them. I will contribute my time and perspective as an immigrant. I am patient and a good listener; therefore I will provide a listening ear to someone who needs it. After graduation I hope to work with volunteer organisations as a volunteer cordinator. Having volunteered with different organisation I have grown to appreciate the demands of this job and I feel like I can make a difference to volunteer work.

Samantha Martin: Business Administration student phot samantha martin

I am a 24-year old proud Manitoba Red River Métis woman entering my fourth and final year of a Business Administration degree with a concentration in marketing. I grew up in both the rural community of Powerview/Sagkeeng and Winnipeg, and am presently residing in Winnipeg’s North End. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be apart of the Inner-City Work Study Program. It will provide a meaningful chance to expand my skills and knowledge relevant to community development and marketing, which ultimately is the career path I wish to pursue upon graduation. As a current resident of the inner-city, I know first-hand the strong sense of community and resilience that is embodied within the area. I will highly value learning from an organization that underscores these strengths in our community. I am strongly passionate about working directly with diverse populations and those potentially facing barriers such as poverty and addiction. I am honoured to work alongside and learn from organizations that are committed to helping in meeting the physical, social, spiritual and mental needs of inner-city citizens and our future leaders of tomorrow.