Programs and Services
Model School
The Collegiate Model School provides 50 high school students (grades 9 to 12) with the individual attention they need to do well. Students who show potential but need a different kind of learning environment are referred to the Model School by community organizations, high school guidance counsellors, or principals. The Model School provides the environment, programming opportunities, and supports for young people and their families to use education as a springboard to maximize their future and potential. We have had 72 students graduate since 2008 with the majority (75%) pursuing post-secondary education.
The Opportunity Fund seeks specifically to support Indigenous students, new Canadians and refugees, and students from inner-city neighbourhoods, through fast-track bursaries and tuition credits. Most recently, it also provides tuition waivers to youth leaving the child welfare system, a program pioneered at UWinnipeg now being replicated across the country. More than 30 students are enrolled in the Tuition Waiver program and eight students have graduated with degrees from UWinnipeg (as of May 2017).
Since 2007, just over $3 million has been dispersed to 3,000 students in financial need, supporting more than 250 UWinnipeg graduates to date.
I Heart UWinnipeg Opportunity Fund Dinner
University of Winnipeg Wesmen Athletics
Under The University of Winnipeg Wesmen umbrella, we have created the Inner City Junior Wesmen program which attracts neighbourhood children to participate on different sports teams.
Our Axworthy Health and RecPlex at 350 Spence Street is the most comprehensive recreation and wellness facility ever built in Winnipeg's inner city. Our unique Community Charter guarantees neighbourhood youth and residents free access to space to run community-based programs. A weekly Pow Wow Club, hoop dancing class and drop in times for numerous activities such as soccer and basketball are underway. Approximately 2,000 community residents access the RecPlex weekly during the winter months, at no cost.
Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre
The Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre is a bridge between The University of Winnipeg and the inner-city community that has a large Indigenous and newcomer population. The centre provides cultural and educational programming rooted in Indigenous language and knowledge, to support community learning and engagement for children, youth, and families. It is designed to reflect the community's need for an educational gathering place that is inclusive, and to break down barriers to post-secondary education. The centre provides free and open access to 16 computers in the RBC Community Learning Commons, as well as a community classroom, where a number of free, educational and cultural after-school and summer programs are hosted. More than 1,500 community members use the centre each month.
Through these programs and supports, the centre aims to develop and strengthen pathways for inner-city students to university. This includes partnering with local schools to facilitate STEAM programming with an Indigenous lens. The endeavors of the centre are in alignment with the University’s strategic direction of Indigenization; including and valuing Indigenous knowledge and culture throughout the campus, and bringing Indigenous perspectives into UWinnipeg.
The centre offers an after school science and homework club, women’s self-defence courses, STEAM camps in the summer and over spring break, partnership between inner-city schools to run science kids on campus, programming and partnership with WASAC to offer STEAM programming to the Adventure Kids Summer Camp. The centre also delivers several after school and weekend Indigenous language and cultural programs that include Beginner Ojibwe classes, Powwow Club, Sacred Seven Traditional Dancing, and community events such as round dances, community feasts, and more.
High School Enrichment Program
Partnerships
Community Education Development Association - Pathways to Education Program