2026 Participants: Inner-City Work Study

 Macy Wilgosh. Integrated Education

As a student in the Integrated Education program studying English and Indigenous Studies, I am eager to participate in the Inner-City Work Study program to bridge the gap between academic theory and community-based practice. I am deeply interested in supporting the vital work of local non-profits and hope to gain a grounded understanding of the systemic factors affecting inner-city communities. By participating, I aim to learn how to better implement decolonizing and inclusive practices within community spaces.

 Carrie-Lynn Collard-Vivier. Indigenous Studies

As a Métis student, I am committed to reconciliation and working hands on with Indigenous Peoples and folks experiencing substance use, food, housing, and job insecurities, and discrimination within the system, and aid in accessing resources and gaining confidence. My goal is to help folks connect with their culture, and in turn hope it inspires, grounds, and motivates them to focus on healing, growth and empowerment. I hope to use the knowledge I have to offer support and kindness to anyone who needs it. This program offers a great opportunity to focus the frustrations we all have with the system and turn it into the action we wish to see. I have worked within non-profit organizations before, and I look forward to continuing to serve community members through outreach, and hope to empower Indigenous folks, newcomers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ friends at Sunshine House.

 Olha Shevchuk. Political Science

The Inner-City Work Study program provides a unique opportunity to engage directly with the community and gain meaningful, hands-on experience. As a Political Science student, I am especially interested in understanding how social policies and support systems operate in practice. This program allows me to connect my academic knowledge with real-world experiences while contributing to organizations that support diverse and underserved communities. I hope to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by inner-city communities and learn how community organizations respond to these challenges in practical ways. I also want to strengthen my communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills, as well as gain experience working in a professional and community-based environment. Most importantly, I hope to learn how to effectively support individuals in a respectful, inclusive, and impactful way. I believe I will contribute strong communication skills, adaptability, and a positive, responsible work ethic. Through my experience as an interpreter and my involvement in community and leadership roles, I have developed the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds with empathy and professionalism. I am also highly organized, reliable, and motivated to learn, which I believe will allow me to be a supportive and dependable member of the team. I am very motivated to make the most of this opportunity and to contribute meaningfully to the organization I am placed with. This program is an important step in my professional development, and I am excited to both learn from the experience and give back to the community.

John Ssenyonjo. Political Science

As someone passionate about public policy, I am interested in this program to know how policy development, and reforms impacts the daily lives of individuals and city communities. I hope to deepen my understanding on how complex Inner-City challenges  housing, substance use, poverty, gender based violence, racism - can be addressed through policy reform or development. I am interested in learning how government policies intersect with Community organizational or NGO policies and practices that support Inner-City residents, and how these communities are impacted. I bring a strong interest in social, economic and political policies, especially informed by class-based perspectives on the government's role/mandate to promote the well -being of our communities. I bring a strong experience as an advocate of human rights particularly immigrants, refugees, women, and children. I also bring governance experience through my volunteer service on several Boards of Directors in Manitoba, including Spence Neighbourhood Association Inc,  LiteracyWorks Inc, and Prairie Places Inc. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of community development, non-profit governance, and the dynamics of challenges facing inner-city organizations.

 Elizabeth LacQuette

I'm on an aspiring journey to become a lawyer, specifically in family law. What drives me is the desire to advocate and support families. In order to do this my goal is to be rooted in the community to understand families and individuals challenges in society. I believe that working collaboratively with the inner-city work study program is a start to understand diverse perspectives and challenges faced by systemic factors. Which I see as an invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in of gaining hands-on experience as I've always been someone who dives deep into understanding myself and the world around me. My aim is to actively participate in communities that empower individuals and strengthen families making lasting positive impacts, further deepening my understanding and learning of individuals from the community as well from organizers making it a key aspect for my journey of my career to combat challenging systemic barriers

 Harjinder Singh. Physical and Health Education

I enjoy helping people and want to make a positive impact in the community. I came to Canada about a year ago, and I am still learning about different communities, especially inner-city and Indigenous communities, and the challenges they face. This program is a great opportunity for me to gain hands-on experience and better understand these issues. I hope to build strong communication and interpersonal skills, learn how to support individuals in a respectful way, and grow both personally and professionally. I believe I can contribute a positive attitude, a strong willingness to learn, and a genuine interest in helping others. In the future, I am considering a career in a helping profession such as a paramedic, and I believe this experience will help guide me in that direction while allowing me to give back to the community.

 Jake Impey. Integrated Education

I want to expand my knowledge of this world while getting the chance to meet all sorts of people. I hope to learn the ability to handle inner-city struggles, helping those in need and what Truth and Reconciliation means to everyone, as well as Black Lives Matters, LGBTQ+ and other community values. I think my background in education will greatly help the work opportunities supporting children in need.

 Harsahib Singh. Business Administration

I’m studying business administration at the University of Winnipeg. I’m someone who likes to stay focused, keep improving, and challenge myself to grow. I want to gain experience, learn new skills, and be part of something that has a real impact in the community. I’m also looking forward to meeting new people and learning from different perspectives.

 Kynia Berens. Social Innovation and Community Development

Tansi/Aaniin, my name is Kynia, my spirit name is Misko Waawaashkeshi (Red Deer) and I’m a part of the Carribou clan. I’m an Indigenous woman from Tataskweyak Cree Nation, I’m passionate about creating meaningful change within our inner-city communities, particularly by supporting our Indigenous women, men, and youth. I became interested in the Inner-City work study program through my studies in the SICD program and through my volunteering, my goal to create a safer community stems from this program. This opportunity to apply my knowledge to community initiatives and to gain hands on experience is an exciting path for me. I’m also passionate about giving back to the community by contributing my time, communicating, and ideas while actively working toward long-term solutions. My long-term goal is to build my project management skills so that I can not only work alongside community organizations but eventually create one of my own. I hope to contribute positivity, creativity, and lived experiences to the spaces I work and study in.

 Olu Afolabi. Urban and Inner-City Studies

As a person of visible minority heritage, I have always been passionate about community and capacity building. This passion comes from my formative years growing up and witnessing communities that have been systematically and historically disadvantaged and disenfranchised. From experience, I know that when people grow up with limited opportunities, resources, and representation, it can significantly shape how they perceive themselves and their role in society. This reality motivated me to become active in my community and ultimately pursue a degree in Urban and Inner-City Studies. I applied to the Inner-City Work Study program because I see it as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with community organizations and social agencies that are actively creating positive change. I believe in being proactive and intentional in addressing social challenges, and I hope this program will allow me to contribute meaningfully while continuing to learn from the communities and organizations doing this important work.

 Rozhan Kohan. Psychology

I am deeply passionate about the Inner-City Work Study program because it openly prioritizes the prosperity and centralization of Winnipeg’s Indigenous peoples above all else, as well as providing opportunities for immigrants/refugees of colour such as myself to focus on healing and taking practical action. As an individual who has directly been impacted by generational and political trauma, I am all too familiar with the excruciating lack of support that accompanies such experiences. As a student of forensic psychology, I am also aware that this lack of support often manifests itself in unjust institutionalization. Rather than reducing communities to statistics and stereotypes, the Inner-City Work Study program allows for genuine engagement with individuals and the creation of meaningful connections.

There is much, much, much to be learned in the program. First and foremost, there is a story to be told by every person involved, and every person’s experience is a subjective interpretation of an objective shared truth. As a student in the program, my job is to listen to these stories, to bear witness and to honour each reality in the hopes of amplifying empathy and community healing.

What I have to contribute to the program is a voice; I am a writer, so I am very conscious of the power carried by speaking and the significance of language. This means that my ultimate purpose in life is to use my words to raise awareness about issues that often go unnoticed, particularly issues that are stigmatized or considered “taboo.” I aim to help create safe spaces where such conversations can be held, and where community resilience will be celebrated.

 Shaelyn Desmarais McLeod. Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications

I am interested in learning about Winnipeg’s inner-city heroes; the organizers, the volunteers, the fundraisers who want to rejuvenate the heart of our city. I want to learn more about community passion, and the work of the community organizations. They represent good will towards people who want extra support and relationship-building in their lives. I can contribute compassion and Indigenous perspective for those raised in, or are currently in, unjust circumstances. I can also offer my researching skills to acquire stable funds for the organization’s multiple beneficial community programs.  I am grateful to have been picked for the Inner-City Work Study Program. I cannot wait to share my experiences with my own community and fellow work-study participants.

 Suhrob Abdurafikov. Political Science

My name is Suhrob Abdurafikov, but I also go by Sam. I’m 26 years old and currently studying Political Science at the University of Winnipeg. My pronouns are he/him. I’m interested in the Inner-City Work Study program because it’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply what I’ve been learning in my courses to real-world situations. Through this program, I hope to learn more about community issues, build my communication and professional skills, and better understand how to make a positive impact. I believe I can contribute a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and an open-minded approach when working with others. I’m also excited about the chance to connect with people and gain experience that will help me in my future career.