What A Brilliant Program!
Cleaner downtown, better lives
Darren La Plante clears trash near Flora Avenue, after reading a Free Press article about mess in the area.
An inner-city beautification program launched last March by the Manitoba Métis Federation and the city is reaping benefits beyond cleaner back alleys and graffiti-free buildings, said the federation president.Dave Chartrand said the It's My Community Too initiative, which trains teams of aboriginal Manitobans in grounds maintenance, graffiti removal and basic repairs in Winnipeg's most dilapidated neighbourhoods, is bringing a sense of personal and community pride to participants.
"The core area of our city has been neglected too damn long," he said. "This (program) proves that wherever you live in the city, you can live in an area that's beautiful and be proud to live there. It makes a humungous difference."
For the last four months, the program's inaugural cleanup team -- five men, one woman and their supervisor -- has been literally sweeping the city's North End, cleaning up around overflowing autobins, removing graffiti, repairing fences and mowing seniors' lawns. The crew members earn $10.50 an hour and put in 37.5-hour work weeks.
The program is aimed at people who would normally have a hard time finding employment because they lack the necessary education and skills or have a criminal record, Chartrand said. On rainy days, participants are encouraged to upgrade their education at the Louis Riel Institute Adult Learning Centre, located in the MMF Building at 150 Henry Ave.
"We started with six workers, and three of them have now gotten full-time employment. Another is going into heavy equipment training and this program is the stepping stone that got him there," Chartrand said.
Program supervisor Anthony Schick said he's seen many positive changes in members of his team, including their new-found sense of accomplishment and ambition.
"The drive and desire now that they're earning a regular paycheque and making their own way... it makes them want to move onto bigger and better things."
The City of Winnipeg is providing equipment -- trucks, trailers, tools and protective gear -- while the MMF covers wages. Chartrand said he hopes to eventually have four or five teams working steadily on "constant beautification" of the expanding core area.
The response from residents has been "phenomenal," Schick said. "They're very thankful that their kids can have a safe place to play without worrying about stepping on broken glass and needles."
carolin.vesely@freepress.mb.ca
Cleaner downtown, better lives
Darren La Plante clears trash near Flora Avenue, after reading a Free Press article about mess in the area.
An inner-city beautification program launched last March by the Manitoba Métis Federation and the city is reaping benefits beyond cleaner back alleys and graffiti-free buildings, said the federation president.Dave Chartrand said the It's My Community Too initiative, which trains teams of aboriginal Manitobans in grounds maintenance, graffiti removal and basic repairs in Winnipeg's most dilapidated neighbourhoods, is bringing a sense of personal and community pride to participants.
"The core area of our city has been neglected too damn long," he said. "This (program) proves that wherever you live in the city, you can live in an area that's beautiful and be proud to live there. It makes a humungous difference."
For the last four months, the program's inaugural cleanup team -- five men, one woman and their supervisor -- has been literally sweeping the city's North End, cleaning up around overflowing autobins, removing graffiti, repairing fences and mowing seniors' lawns. The crew members earn $10.50 an hour and put in 37.5-hour work weeks.
The program is aimed at people who would normally have a hard time finding employment because they lack the necessary education and skills or have a criminal record, Chartrand said. On rainy days, participants are encouraged to upgrade their education at the Louis Riel Institute Adult Learning Centre, located in the MMF Building at 150 Henry Ave.
"We started with six workers, and three of them have now gotten full-time employment. Another is going into heavy equipment training and this program is the stepping stone that got him there," Chartrand said.
Program supervisor Anthony Schick said he's seen many positive changes in members of his team, including their new-found sense of accomplishment and ambition.
"The drive and desire now that they're earning a regular paycheque and making their own way... it makes them want to move onto bigger and better things."
The City of Winnipeg is providing equipment -- trucks, trailers, tools and protective gear -- while the MMF covers wages. Chartrand said he hopes to eventually have four or five teams working steadily on "constant beautification" of the expanding core area.
The response from residents has been "phenomenal," Schick said. "They're very thankful that their kids can have a safe place to play without worrying about stepping on broken glass and needles."
carolin.vesely@freepress.mb.ca
