In November, following Equitas’ human rights training, staff from partner organizations in Canada, Ma Mawi and Voices supported youth in exploring issues that mattered most to them. Through heartfelt discussions about housing, food insecurity, and community safety, the youth decided to take action. Their idea became a collaborative Community Action Project: the Walk for Kindness.
🌍 From concerns to solutions
Many youth spoke about feeling unsafe in certain parts of Winnipeg and not knowing how to engage with unhoused neighbors. Instead of avoiding these challenges, they asked themselves a simple but powerful question:
“What would happen if we showed kindness to our neighbors?”
This shift, from fear to empathy, defined the spirit of the project. Staff reinforced this message by using the word neighbors, helping to reduce stigma around homelessness and emphasize shared belonging.
💡 Youth-led action
The youth themselves led the planning: deciding what was needed, preparing more than 300 sandwiches and care packages, and organizing the event logistics. Their dedication was inspiring: one participant even drove two hours to join, showing the deep sense of ownership they felt.
🤝 Community in action
On the day of the Walk, youth and staff from Ma Mawi, Voices, and the Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre came together. The event opened with a welcome and smudging, grounding the walk in Indigenous cultural practices. Supported by a Mama Bear leader, the youth pulled wagons of food, water, and hygiene kits through the neighborhood, offering smudging and sharing kindness along the way.
Despite extreme heat, the youth stayed positive and focused. By the end of the walk, every care package had been distributed. The journey concluded at Ma Mawi’s tiny home village, an inspiring symbol of community-led solutions to housing insecurity.
✨ Impact
- Over 300 community members received food, water, and hygiene supplies.
- Youth gained confidence and leadership skills, proving they can drive meaningful change.
- The project fostered understanding and solidarity, helping to shift perceptions around homelessness.
💛 A collective effort
We extend our deep appreciation to The Winnipeg Foundation for making this possible. Their presence at the event and ongoing investment in youth and community-led action strengthen our shared efforts to build safer, more inclusive communities across Winnipeg.