Midweek check-in, Winnipeg 💙

The next couple of days are shaping up to be really nice out there, the kind of weather that's almost too good to spend indoors.

So here's your midweek nudge: pick an event, grab a friend, and step out.

Whether it's a market, a patio, or a walk along the river, Winnipeg summers are short and these are the days worth saying yes to.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

Two new housing developments just opened downtown, giving women and children leaving violence a safe place to stay.

Together, they add 26 supported units, each with on-site help so families can take the next step toward stable, long-term housing.

Families can stay in both buildings anywhere from six months to two years, with rent based on income so it’s affordable.

The housing is only part of the story. The real difference is the support that comes with it. Family Dynamics, Ikwe Widdjiitiwin, and New Journey Housing are all providing on-site help for residents, including:

For the families in these homes, this is more than a roof.

It means safety, a home with no fear, and a chance to start over.

Click here: To learn more about the projects or share it with someone who might need it.

You can usually tell when a kid finds their thing…

They start talking about it at dinner.
They want to go back the next day.

For a lot of Winnipeg kids, that thing is hockey.

And if that's your kid, here's how you keep them active this summer!

Canlan Sports runs hockey camps and clinics all summer, with skills, confidence, and new friendships.

No matter where your kid is at, they'll fit right in. Camps are sorted by age and skill level, so they're always with the right group, learning at the right pace.

And if next season is already on your mind, the preseason conditioning camps are a great way to end the summer. Your kid builds up speed and stamina now, then walks into tryouts with confidence.

These spots go quick once families lock in their summer plans, and some are already filling up. If there's a camp your kid has had their eye on, grab it while you can.

There's something special about watching a community show up for its teens.

That's exactly what happened earlier this month in Winnipeg's North End, with a gathering called A Village in Motion: Pathways to Belonging.

The Essence of Spirit and Roots & Rising Collective created the day for about 30 teens, ages 15 to 17.

It all came down to three things: real mentorship, cultural teachings, and a space where these teens could simply be themselves.

Every teen stayed through to the end. They walked away with new shoes, fresh haircuts, hygiene products in hand, and a whole community in their corner.

It went so well that the same team is already planning the next one.

They're turning the event into an ongoing series, with the next gathering for Indigenous teens and girls, Reclaim Her Path, planned for later this year.

Click here: To learn more about the event and keep an eye out for upcoming gatherings!

We all know the spot. The boarded-up house down the street or the storefront that's sat quiet for years.

These empty buildings can weigh on a neighbourhood, raising safety concerns and taking up space that could be a home or a local business.

Starting July 1, the City of Winnipeg is launching two new programs to help owners bring those buildings back to life.

Both come down to the same goal: fewer empty buildings, safer streets, and more homes and businesses opening up around the city.

Owners can apply online starting July 1, so if you know someone sitting on or fixing up a vacant property, pass this along. It might be exactly the help they need.

Click here: To learn more about both of these programs and how to apply!

If you've got a teenager who's always asking for a ride to practice, summer job, or a friend's place, that whole routine is about to get easier.

Starting this September, Manitoba is rolling out free transit for students under 18 in Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, and Flin Flon.

Selkirk got a head start on June 15 with a pilot called Next Stop, giving 1,700 students across the Tri-S region free rides all summer.

A free bus pass might sound small, but for a kid, it means getting to the rink, the mall, or a friend's house on their own.

Winnipeg's turn comes this September, and for a lot of families it's worth circling on the calendar. The kids get a taste of independence, parents get a little more breathing room, and that's one less ride to juggle across the city.

If you know a family who'd appreciate this news, send it their way.

Click here: To learn more about the program and how to get a pass!

A Winnipeg summer isn’t really complete until you've spent a Saturday morning at a farmers market.

You know the feeling. The air smells like fresh berries, someone's playing acoustic guitar in the corner, and your tote bag is already heavy with flowers and produce before you've even finished your coffee.

If that's your idea of a perfect weekend, we've rounded up the best farmers markets to wander this summer.

Whether you go for the coffee, the produce, or just the people-watching, these markets are the kind of small summer rituals that make Winnipeg feel like home.

If you want to find one closer to home or see what else is running this season, click the link below to see the full list.

Click here: To see the full list of markets and their schedules and locations!

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!