The Memengwaa program developed by Shawenim Abinoojii, in Winnipeg, MB, was recently selected as one of the winners of the fourth annual Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Prevention Awards.
We had a conversation with Victoria Fisher, Executive Director of Shawenim Abinooji, Wayne Moneyas, Director of Transitional Youth Services for the Memengwaa program and Dakota Woitowicz, Supervisor of the Memengwaa program, to learn more about the initiative. We discussed the reasons behind its design, how it addresses the gaps in preventing youth homelessness and much more.
About the initiative
The Memengwaa program was established in 2018 as a First Nations-led non-profit service that supports Indigenous youth on their path to independence. It offers a range of services to respond to the needs of young people, many of whom are First Nations and have had involvement with the child welfare system, putting them at risk of experiencing homelessness. Initially focused on providing transition services through outreach, the program has expanded to include housing and employment supports.
The Memengwaa program manages an apartment complex with 18 units, offering both one-bedroom and two-bedroom options, all equipped with on-site support. Staff members are located on the main level to provide easy access to assistance. The design includes communal areas where residents can gather, fostering a sense of community while also allowing for privacy within their individual apartment units. The program emphasizes building a supportive community environment for its residents.
The program is named “Memengwaa,” which is the Anishinaabe word for butterfly. Victoria explains that the butterfly provides a powerful metaphor for the goals of Shawenim Abinooji:
“We named it that way so that we can be remembering our responsibility to nurture our young people as they transition to that new step in their journey.”
Background
Shawenim Abinoojii, which means “to nurture the child” in Anishinaabe, provides supports rooted in First Nations culture for children and young adults throughout their lives. The organization recognized a gap in services for First Nations youth transitioning into adulthood, especially those at risk of homelessness after leaving the child welfare system.
Prior to the creation of the Memengwaa program, many of the external programs that these youth were referred to were not First Nations-led and therefore lacked the cultural competency to meet the community’s needs. The lack of cultural compatibility made it challenging for youth to comply with program expectations, leading many being discharged, putting them at a higher risk of experiencing homelessness. To address this issue, Shawenim Abinoojii began developing their own resources for young people.
After applying for additional funding in 2020 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Rapid Housing Initiative, Shawenim Abinoojii was able to expand the program to include housing. Staff and other community members alike noticed that this new approach was making a significant impact:
“I remember being a support worker for Shawenim and seeing the poster of Memengwaa, and I just remember thinking like, ‘Wow! Where was this when I was a youth, when I was a child?’” – Dakota Woitowicz, Supervisor of the Memengwaa program
Benefits of Partnership and Collaboration
Partnerships and collaborations are essential to the success of the Memengwaa program. As Victoria stated, “Partnership and collaboration are essential because none of us have it all figured out.”
The Memengwaa team works closely with other community resources and actively involves youth in shaping the services they offer. In fact, in 2023, they conducted an evaluation of their program that included input from youth participants. By involving both the young people they serve and their community partners, the team can continuously learn and adapt the Memengwaa program to better meet their needs.
Lessons Learned
The Memengwaa team wants to encourage other communities to examine their motivations and goals for developing similar resources prior to getting started. For example, their team was looking to develop a resource that was grounded in Indigenous culture so they incorporated ceremony into the development process to help guide their process and get clarity on their goals.
They also emphasized the importance of involving youth in both the planning and development phases to ensure their homelessness prevention programs are effective:
“[The youth served by the Mememgwaa program have a] sense of not just belonging, but ownership and responsibility in some of their experiences and how they interact with each other at the space. So I think it’s important that the young people who are served by the resource are engaged in developing the resource.” -Victoria Fisher, Executive Director of Shawenim Abinooji
Victoria went on to explain that once a program/initiative is established, maintaining a grassroots approach is equally important. This involves implementing systems that respect the voices of the youth being served, ensuring that their needs continue to guide ongoing efforts, and keeping them at the forefront of the initiative as it evolves.
Another key lesson they shared is the significance of being mindful in how you approach your work and the youth you serve. It is crucial to lead with compassion and meet young people where they are at, because through this work, you play a crucial role in shaping their foundation for the next steps in their journeys.
Community Impact of Initiative:
Keylyn, one of the youth who made use of the Memengwaa program shared their story during this interview.
Keylyn shared that she was referred to this program by one of her case workers after completing a rehab program and has been using this service for almost two years. Keylyn has struggled with alcohol abuse for many years. Due to its supportive approach, the Memengwaa program played a pivotal role in her recovery, particularly in promoting cultural healing. Throughout her journey, including periods of non-sobriety, the program provided steadfast support without judgment, assisting her in overcoming significant challenges.
Memengwaa is dedicated to empowering youth facing adversities, and this participant greatly benefited from its resources. Thanks to this program and their employment support, she was able to secure a position as a receptionist for the program and was subsequently offered a role in finance administration, representing a significant advancement in her professional development.
“Overall, I think that [the Memengwaa program] helps youth, that’s what they do and I believe that Memengwaa is a really good program.” – Keylyn Keeper, Youth Participant
About the Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Prevention Awards
This year marked the fourth annual Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Prevention Awards Program. The Awards are presented by Canada Life and co-led by A Way Home Canada and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. They were created to celebrate the important work happening to prevent youth homelessness in Canada.
Note: This blog post is part of a blog series highlighting the winners of the MtS Youth Homelessness Prevention Award Winners. To learn about the other award winner for 2024, read our blog here.