April 19, 2022
Manitoba Government Provides $2 Million to Support Toba Centre for Children & Youth's Capital Funding Campaign
– – –Funding will Expand Services for Vulnerable Manitobans: Premier
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The Manitoba government is contributing $2 million in funding to the Toba Centre for Children & Youth’s WE WILL capital campaign, Premier Heather Stefanson and Families Minister Rochelle Squires announced today.
“Our government is proud to support Toba Centre and the essential work they do to support victims and their families in their healing process,” said Stefanson. “As Manitoba’s only child advocacy centre, with dedicated space to provide a child-focused model to assist law enforcement, child protection, mental health, medical and victim advocacy professionals, we are pleased to support its continued efforts to expand its services to those in need and build a brighter future for all Manitobans.”
The WE WILL capital campaign aims to raise $15 million to assist with renovations on Toba Centre’s new location at 710 Assiniboine Park Dr., Winnipeg and create a fund for future financial support.
“We are incredibly grateful for this commitment from the province. This funding supports the construction of our new centre but most importantly, this is an investment in childhood. Together with the community, we will make sure the needs of children, youth and families impacted by abuse will be prioritized and children will be at the centre of all we do,” said Christy Dzikowicz, executive director, Toba Centre for Children & Youth. “With the support of our great Manitoban community, we will build a better future for children, youth and families impacted by abuse.”
The new location, close to nature and to healing surroundings in Assiniboine Park, will support Toba Centre’s work to expand the services and supports it provides to children who have experienced abuse and assist their families and caregivers in the healing process. The expanded space will also enable Toba Centre to have partner agencies work together under the same roof, making it easier for children and families to get the supports they need in one location.
“We are pleased to be able to join community members supporting the WE WILL campaign,” said Squires. “The funding provided by the Manitoba government and other generous supporters will see this wonderful purpose-designed space grow to support vulnerable Manitobans and provide a place where they and their families can begin to heal and recover.”
The province’s contribution comes as Toba Centre launched its public phase of the WE WILL capital campaign with a goal of raising remaining funds. Other major donations have been received from Gerry and Barb Price, Qualico, the Chipman Family Foundation and True North Foundation.
This capital contribution builds on the investment of $763,000 provided to Toba Centre in 2021 that supported the expansion and development of a new model of community-based supports for abused children. The additional investment has enabled Toba Centre to start providing children and families with case navigators to help them throughout their healing journey and facilitate their contact with other resources.
Toba Centre for Children & Youth was established in 2013 and has provided services for child-abuse survivors with an initial focus on forensic interviewing to minimize trauma and ensure best practices. The Manitoba government’s support for the Toba Centre capital campaign is in keeping with recommendations from multiple reports calling for child and community-centred services, the premier noted.
For more information on Toba Centre for Children & Youth, visit https://tobacentre.ca/.
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